Why does Jesus always say this?

[COPLAND 3]

I think if some of these so-called tv evangelists would do miracles and humbly request people to keep it to themselves instead of bringing in all the lights and cameras, wearing their 5000 dollar suits and their shiny teeth, and making millions of dollars off their act, I might just believe they were real.

[stevekehl]

Originally Posted by Angela77

In the Gospels, when Jesus performs miracles, he always tells the people he helped not to tell anyone. Why would He want to keep his miracles a secret? Miracles help people to believe, and wasn't that what He wanted? There must be a good explanation for this; I just don't know it.

Jesus did not want people following Him because of miracles, He performed these miracles out of compassion for the suffering.
Matthew 14:14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
He had less patience for those who were impressed by miracles.
Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Mark 8:12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation
Jesus wanted people to follow Him because of His message.