Matthew 12:15-21 15But knowing this, Jesus withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16and ordered them not to make him known. 17This was to fulfill what the word of the prophet Isaiah saying, 18“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19He will not quarrel or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; 20a crushed reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; 21and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
Jesus knew the motives of the Pharisees and that they were seeking to destroy him. He went to where people needed and welcomed him. Verse 15 is expansive as many followed and all were healed. The two paths separate as Jesus moves away from the Pharisees, who refuse to listen, and towards the people, who are eager and longing for his healing. Verse 16 comes as a surprise because we might expect that the good news of the Messiah should be spread all over the region. Jesus did not want people following him for the wrong motives. It was also not time yet to head to Jerusalem and the cross. He had much more to do and so needed to keep the controversy at a minimum. This was a time of ministry. The confrontation would come soon enough.
Matthew continues his style of adding quotations from the Old Testament to prove Jesus to be the Messiah, here quoting from Isaiah 42:1-4. Every line of this passage contains significant insights into the life and ministry of the servant of the Lord. The so-called Servant Songs are found in Isaiah 40-55 and contain many prophecies fulfilled by Jesus, thus proving him to be the Messiah. Jesus came as a servant but also as chosen of God. Jesus is the beloved one of the Father (3:17; 17:5). Jesus was sinless and did as his heavenly Father commanded. The Spirit of God was evident throughout Jesus’ lifetime and came visibly when he was baptized. His salvation was offered to all “nations” (ethnesin). He would not be a tyrant or use force as a leader but would be gentle, not even cause a reed to break or wick to stop smoking. He would work quietly in people’s hearts, not shout out like the rulers of the world.
The name of Jesus brings hope to people around the world today. The good news of his kingdom overshadows all earthly kingdoms, which all rise and fall over time. This is the only occurrence of the verb hope in Matthew’s gospel and so carries a lot of significance. This prophecy summarizes much of what Matthew points out in his Gospel. Jesus comes to each of us in a gentle way, offering healing and hope.
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