The holy spirit delights in jesus

THE HOLY SPIRIT DELIGHTS IN JESUS
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Matthew 12:18 18"Hereis my servantwhom I have
chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my
Spirit on him, and he will proclaimjusticeto the
nations.
NOTE, If the Father delights in Jesus, the Holy Spirit does as well, for they
are one. This topic does not find much written about, but it is a fact of
revelation and part of the truth about the Holy Spirit.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
Popularity Of Christ On The Increase
Mark 3:7-12. Parallelpassage:Matthew 12:15-21
J.J. Given
I. THE POPULARITY OF JESUS. It was ever increasing, as is proved by this
passage. A greatmultitude followedhim from Galilee in the north; from
Judaea and its capitalin a centralposition; and from Idumaea in the far
south, situated as it was betweenJudaea, Arabia, and Egypt; then from
Peraea, eastofthe Jordan; the people of Tyre and Sidon also in the north-
west;- all these, attractedby the fame of what Jesus was doing, flockedunto
him. So greatwere the multitude and pressure that he directed his disciples to

procure a little boat to keepclose to him in order to escape the crowding (διὰ
τὸν ὄχλον) and consequentconfusion.
II. His powerto heal. This appears to be as yet the main attraction. The
miracles of healing were abundant, so much so that the afflicted sufferers
actually fell againsthim (ἐπιπίπτειν), that by the contacttheir plagues might
be removed. Unclean spirits also, whereverthey saw him, kept falling down
before him, crying out, "Thouart the of God."
III. PECULIARITY OF THE SYRIAC VERSION IN THIS PLACE. It
strangelycombines the two last classes inits rendering, namely, "Those that
had plagues of unclean spirits, as often as they saw him, kept falling down
before him." Our Lord, however, invariably reprobated and rejectedtheir
testimony, as if there were something insidious in it or injurious to his cause.
IV. THE PHYSICAL HEALTH RESTORED TO SO MANY AFFLICTED
BODIES WAS A GUARANTEE OF SPIRITUAL HEALTH FOR THE
SOUL. In all the ages, and in all the annals of medical science,and in all the
countries of the world, we have accountof one Physician, and only one, who
was able to lay his hand on the aching head and diseasedheart of suffering
humanity, bringing immediate cure and effectualrelief. No malady could
resisthis healing power, no sicknesswithstand his touch, and no illness
remain incurable once he but spoke the word. No disease, howeverdeep-
seatedin the system, or deadly in its nature, or inveterate from long duration,
could baffle his skill or defy his power. Whether it was palsy, or dropsy, or
asthma, or convulsions, or ulceration, or bloody issue, or fever, or even
consumption, or, what was still worse, leprosyitself, - whateverthe form of
disease might be, he cured it. Persons labouring under organic defects - the
deaf, the dumb, the blind, the lame - were brought to him, and he removed all
those defects. Mentalailments also, as lunacy and demoniacalpossession, all
were relieved by him. Sometimes it was a word, sometimes a touch, again
some external appliance, not as a remedy but to actas a conductor, or to show
a connectioninstituted betweenthe operatorand the patient, but, whatever
was the plan adopted, the power never failed to produce the desired effect.
Now, whateverhe did in this way to the body is proof positive of his ability
and willingness to do the same and more for the soul. We may be diseased

with sin so as to be loathsome in our own eyes and morally infectious to our
neighbors and acquaintances;we may be leprous with sin so as to be cut off
from the fellowshipof the saints and the communion of the holy; we may be
under the ban of man and the curse of heaven; yet if we approachthis great
Physicianof soul as well as body, confiding in his powerand trusting in his
mercy, we shall obtain, and that without fail, healing and health for our
diseasedspirits and sin-sick souls. Thousands alive this day can testify from
actualhappy experience to the healing power of Jesus'word, the cleansing
efficacyof his blood, and the renewing, purifying, and sanctifying influences
of his Spirit. Millions this day in the realms of bliss above are enjoying the
health and the happiness, the brightness and the beauty, the purity and
perfection of that upper sanctuary, though on earth the diseasesoftheir souls
had been of the most desperate character -utterly incurable had it not been
for the mercy and grace of this great Physician. And he is still the same - "the
same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever," and able as ever to "save to the
uttermost all that come unto God by him."
V. A RECONCILIATION. It is thought by some that a discrepancyexists
betweenthe fourth verse of the fifty-third chapterof Isaiahand the
seventeenthverse of the eighth chapter of St. Matthew. But if we take the first
clause of eachverse as referring to bodily diseases, andthe secondclause to
the diseasesofthe mind or soul, we shall have an instructive harmony in place
of an insuperable difficulty or seeming discrepancy. The verbs will then be
most suitable and appropriate: the nasa of the Hebrew, being generalin its
meaning, to take up in any way, or to take up in order to take away, will
correspondin its generalityof significationto ἔλαβε, to take in any way; while
saval, for which ἐβάστασε of St. Matthew is an exactequivalent, is to bear as a
burden. "Thus," says Archbishop Magee, inhis invaluable work on the
Atonement, "are Isaiahand Matthew perfectly reconciled;the first clause in
eachrelating to diseasesremoved, and the secondto sufferings endured. Thus
too there is a close correlationbetweenthe removal of the diseasesofthe body
and the expiation of the sins of our souls. - J.J.G.

Biblical Illustrator
The men of Nineveh shall rise in Judgment.
Matthew 12:14
The greaterthan Jonas
H. Melvill, B. D.
I. TO SHOW THAT SUFFICIENT CAUSE IN THE DIFFERENT
CIRCUMSTANCESOF THE TWO, WHY THE REPENTANTNINEVITES
SHOULD BE WITNESSESAGAINST THE IMPENITENTJEWS.NOW
what accountare we to give of this repentance of the Ninevites? At first sight
it seems strange that so vast a result should have been wrought by the
preaching of a solitary and unknown individual. Jonah had no miraculous
credentials to give; but he had himself been the subject of miracle. God might
be said to have raised him from the dead. The evidence was that of a
resurrection;this is sufficient to produce conviction.
1. We may declare that far more evidence was affordedto the Jews of the
resurrectionof Christ, than to the Ninevites of the resurrection of Jonah.
They had the same signwith greaterclearness.The preaching of the

resurrectionby the apostles exceededimmeasurably any evidence granted to
the Ninevites of the entombment of Jonah.
2. Then think of what a contrastthere was betweenJonah, void of all powerof
proving his commissionby miracles, and our Redeemerdisplaying in the
streets of Jerusalemand on the coasts ofJudea, authority over diseasesand
death. If a mere report of the miracle concerning Jonah overcame the
Ninevites, what can be urged in defence of the Jews, who gave no heed to their
Teacherthough they beheld Him with their own eyes exercising miraculous
powers?
3. How different were the messageswhichthe two prophets delivered. Jonah
brought nothing but tribulation; Christ merciful promises.
4. Jonahcould not have shown any sympathy with those whose destructionhe
was commissionedto predict, for he was displeasedthat his prediction was not
accomplished. But how different the deportment of Christ. He had to predict
the desolationofa mighty capital; but He did it with burning tears. If the
Ninevites gave heed to the prophet of wrath, how much more should the Jews
to a messengerwho would rejoice if repentance should turn awaytheir woe.
II. THE PRACTICAL LESSON'S WHICH THE REFERENCETO THE
LAST JUDGMENT MAY HAVE BEEN INTENDEDTO FURNISH. One
man is, or one setof men are, summoned to give evidence againstanotherat
the judgment seat. The young man who died in his prime, the victim of his
passions, will be tried as the sensualist. Who will give evidence? A father's
voice will testify, "I warned him." The child will witness againstthe negligent
parent. The faithful pastorwill witness againstthe nominal Christian. The
man of toil and poverty, who did good, will witness againstthe wealthy
worldling. The heathen may witness againstus.
(H. Melvill, B. D.)
The sign of the prophet Jonah
E. M. Goulburn, B.C. L.

1. Man shunning God's presence.
2. God's awful wrath in consequence ofman's departure from Him.
3. The vain attempts made by man to propitiate an offended God.
4. The Divine method of propitiation by the death of Jesus Christ.
5. The triumph of Christ over death and hell.
(E. M. Goulburn, B.C. L.)
Jerusalemcondemned by Nineveh
F. J. A.
Three particulars in which the Jews were favoured above the Ninevites.
I. THEIR FORMER ADVANTAGES WERE GREATER.The Ninevites were
idolaters;had no sacredhistory to rouse them to reflection;no law-giverlike
Moses;no judges like Samuel; no kings like David; no teachers like the
prophets; no precious promises to inspire them with hope.
II. THE MESSENGERSENT TO THEM WAS MORE ENCOURAGING.
Nineveh was only threatenedwith destruction. The Jews were urged to
reform.
III. THE PREACHER WHO NOW ADDRESSED THEM WAS MORE
WORTHY OF REGARD. Jonahwas a man; had no compassionon Nineveh;
wrought no miracle; had no powerto forgive; suffered slightly; his example
unworthy of imitation. Our privileges are greaterthan the Jews. "To whom
much is given, of him much will be required."
(F. J. A.)
Nineveh and her testimony
H. Bonar, D. D.

I. NINEVEHAND ITS SIN.
II. NINEVEH AND ITS REPENTANCE.
III. NINEVEH AND ITS TESTIMONY.
1. A past testimony. It speaks to us, and says, Repent.
2. A future testimony. Its inhabitants shall rise againstus in the day of
judgment.
(H. Bonar, D. D.)
Privilege and responsibility
W. M. Punshon, LL. D.
I. There are different degrees ofadvantage, involving different amounts of
responsibility.
II. Reluctantwitness-bearing will be heard in the judgment of those the less
advantagedin condemnation of the greater.
(W. M. Punshon, LL. D.)
Jonaha type of Christ
Dr. Burns.
I. The striking signification of his name. Jonah signifies dove — a striking
emblem of the meek and gentle Jesus.
II. As a proclaimer of God's will to men.
III. In his sufferings and deliverance. Jonah, after all, very imperfectly
typified Christ.
(Dr. Burns.)

STUDYLIGHT RESOURCES
Adam Clarke Commentary
Behold my servant - This title was given to our blessedLord in several
prophecies. See Isaiah42:1; Isaiah53:2. Christ assumes it, Psalm40:7-9.
Compare these with John 17:4, and Philemon 2:7. Godrequired an acceptable
and perfectservice from man; but man, being sinful, could not perform it.
Jesus, taking upon him the nature of man, fully performed the whole will of
God, and communicates grace to all his followers, to enable them perfectly to
love and worthily to magnify their Maker.
And he shall show judgment to the Gentiles - That is, He will publish the
Gospelto the heathens; for the word κρισιν here answers to the word ‫טפשמ‬
mishpat of the prophet, and it is used among the Hebrews to signify laws,
precepts, and a whole system or body of doctrine. See Psalm19:9; Psalm
119:30, Psalm119:39;Isaiah 58:2.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Bibliography
Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "The Adam Clarke
Commentary". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/matthew-
12.html. 1832.
return to 'Jump List'
Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

Behold my servant whom I have chosen;My beloved in whom my soul is well
pleased:I will put my Spirit upon him, And he shall declare judgment to the
Gentiles. - Isaiah42:1ff
The area into which Christ then entered had a heavy Gentile population.
"Judgment," as used in this place, means "God's truth." The meekness and
submissiveness ofthe Lord in that withdrawal were also in keeping with
prophecy.
Copyright Statement
James Burton Coffman Commentaries reproduced by permission of Abilene
Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. All other rights reserved.
Bibliography
Coffman, James Burton. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "Coffman
Commentaries on the Old and New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/matthew-12.html. Abilene
Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,....These are the words of God the
Father, speaking to the church, concerning Christ, as mediator; who, as such,
is God's servant, employed by him, and obedient to him, in the work of man's
salvation;and is a righteous, faithful, prudent, and diligent one; whom he,
from all eternity, had chosento this service, and in the fulness of time sent him
to do it, and supported and upheld him in it; for it is whom I uphold, in the
Hebrew text. My beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased;who always was
the objectof his love, not only as his ownand only begottenSon, but as in his
office capacity, as mediator; in regard to which he was his elect, as it is in
Isaiah; and, as such, he was always delighted in his person, well pleasedwith
his office, and the discharge ofit, and which he declaredmore than once by a
voice from heaven, as at his baptism, and at his transfiguration on the mount:

I will put my Spirit upon him; as he did without measure, wherebyhe was
abundantly qualified for his whole work, and particularly for preaching the
Gospel, being richly anointed with gifts and graces,above his fellows;of
which the descentof the Holy Spirit upon him, as a dove at his baptism, which
immediately precededhis public ministry, was a symbol. And he shall show
judgment unto the Gentiles;meaning, not the generaljudgment, at the last
day, which is committed to him; nor the laws of Justice and equity; but the
Gospel, which is the produce of the God of judgment; best informs the
judgment of men about the business of salvation;gives an accountof the
righteous procedure of God in justifying sinners, by the righteousness ofhis
Son; and teaches mento live soberly, righteously, and godly: this Christ
brought forth, and showed, atthis time, to the Heathens, the Idumeans,
Tyrians, and Sidonians; who flockedunto him; whereby this part of the
prophecy had its fulfilment: in the Hebrew it is, "he shall bring forth"; that is,
out of his heart and mouth, and is the same as "show" here.
Copyright Statement
The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernisedand adapted
for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. All Rightes Reserved,
Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.
A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard
Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855
Bibliography
Gill, John. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "The New JohnGill Exposition
of the Entire Bible".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/matthew-12.html. 1999.
Geneva Study Bible

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen;my beloved, in whom my soul is well
pleased:I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew c judgment to the
Gentiles.
(c) By judgment is meant a godly kingdom, because Christ was to proclaim
true religion among the Gentiles, and to castout superstition; and wherever
this is done, the Lord is said to reign and judge there, that is to say, to govern
and rule matters.
Copyright Statement
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Beza, Theodore. "Commentaryon Matthew 12:18". "The 1599 Geneva Study
Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/gsb/matthew-12.html.
1599-1645.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
pleased:I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the
Gentiles.
Copyright Statement
These files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text
scannedby Woodside Bible Fellowship.

This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-BrownCommentary is in the
public domain and may be freely used and distributed.
Bibliography
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.;Fausset,A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on
Matthew 12:18". "CommentaryCritical and Explanatory on the Whole
Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfb/matthew-12.html.
1871-8.
People's New Testament
Behold my servant. Christ took the form of a servant.
I will put my spirit upon him. Compare Matthew 3:17.
He shall shew justice to the Gentiles. Announce himself as judge of the
Gentiles. Compare Mark 3:8.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website.
Original work done by Ernie Stefanik. First published online in 1996 atThe
RestorationMovementPages.
Bibliography
Johnson, BartonW. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "People's New
Testament". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pnt/matthew-
12.html. 1891.

Robertson's WordPictures in the New Testament
My beloved (ο αγαπητος μου — ho agapētosmou). This phrase reminds one of
Matthew 3:17 (the Father‘s words at Christ‘s baptism).
Copyright Statement
The Robertson's WordPictures of the New Testament. Copyright �
Broadman Press 1932,33,Renewal1960. All rights reserved. Used by
permission of Broadman Press (Southern BaptistSunday SchoolBoard)
Bibliography
Robertson, A.T. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "Robertson's Word
Pictures of the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rwp/matthew-12.html.
Broadman Press 1932,33.Renewal1960.
Wesley's ExplanatoryNotes
pleased:I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the
Gentiles.
He shall show judgment to the heathens — That is, he shall publish the
merciful Gospelto them also:the Hebrew word signifies either mercy or
justice. Isaiah 42:1, etc.
Copyright Statement
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website.
Bibliography

Wesley, John. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "JohnWesley's
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/matthew-12.html. 1765.
The Fourfold Gospel
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen;My beloved in whom my soul is well
pleased:I will put my Spirit upon him, And he shall declare judgment to the
Gentiles2.
Behold my servant. The Greek word"pais", translated"servant", means also
"son", but it is rightly translated"servant" here, for the Father uses another
Greek word, "huios", when he would designate Jesus as specificallyhis Son
(Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5). Jesus was a servantin form (Philippians 2:7)
and in obedience (Hebrews 10:9).
And he shall declare judgment to the Gentiles. The word "judgment"
("mishpat" in Hebrew), as used in the Old Testament, from which it here
translated, means rule, doctrine, truth. It is usually here understood as
meaning that Jesus would revealthe gospelorthe full truth of the new
dispensationof the Gentiles.
Copyright Statement
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website. These files

were made available by Mr. Ernie Stefanik. First published online in 1996 at
The RestorationMovementPages.
Bibliography
J. W. McGarveyand Philip Y. Pendleton. "Commentaryon Matthew 12:18".
"The Fourfold Gospel".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tfg/matthew-12.html.
Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 1914.
Abbott's Illustrated New Testament
Show judgment; revealtruth.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Abbott, John S. C. & Abbott, Jacob. "Commentaryon Matthew 12:18".
"Abbott's Illustrated New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ain/matthew-12.html. 1878.
Calvin's Commentary on the Bible
18.Lo, my servant, whom I have chosen. To fix our attention more closelyon
his will, God points out by the finger, as it were, the personwhom he is about
to send; and this is the designof the exclamation, Lo! A similar reasonmay be
assignedfor the epithets that follow, when God calls him his servant, his elect
in whom his soul is well pleased. Forwhence comes it, that men venture to
measure Christ by their own sense, but because they do not considerthat their
redemption depends exclusively on the grace ofGod? When God offers to us

an invaluable treasure, it is excessive andwickedpresumption to regulate our
estimation of it by the disdainful views of our flesh. He is calleda servant, not
as if he were of the ordinary rank, but by wayof eminence, and as the person
to whom God has committed the charge and office of redeeming his Church.
As:
no man taketh this honor to himself, but he who is calledof God
(Hebrews 5:6)
is justly entitled to this rank, God declares that he who comes forwardin this
characterwas electedby his decree. (96)Hence it follows, that men are not at
liberty to rejecthim; because, by doing so, they would be guilty of contempt
and rebellion againstGod. And, indeed, it were the height of absurdity that
our choice orour pride should setaside that calling of God which ought to be
regardedas sacredand inviolable.
My beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased. There is a still wider import in
this statement, which God next makes by the prophet, that the delight of his
soul dwells in Christ; for though the calling of eachof us proceeds from the
free favor of God as its only source, yetin Christ there is this remarkable
peculiarity, that in his person God the Father embraces in his love the whole
Church. As we are all by nature enemies of God, his love will never come to us
till it first begin with the Head; which we have seenon a former occasion, and
will see againunder another passage, (Matthew 17:5.)
He will proclaim judgment to the Gentiles. The prophet gives a brief
description of Christ’s office, when he foretells that he will proclaim judgment
to the Gentiles By the word judgment the Jews understand a government
which is correctlyand properly arranged, in which order and justice prevail.
The designof the prophet is to inform us, that a person will come who will
restore justice that had fallen, who will be the governor not of one nation only,
but will also bring under subjectionto God the Gentiles, among whom
dreadful confusion formerly prevailed. And this is the import of the word
bring forth, which the prophet employs; for it was the office of Christ to
spread throughout the whole world the kingdom of God, which was at that
time confined to the cornerof Judea;(97) as it is saidin another passage,

The Lord will send forth the scepterof thy powerout of Zion,
(Psalms 110:2.)
I will put my Spirit upon him. This explains the manner in which judgment
shall be brought forth. It is no doubt true, that there never was any portion
whateverof righteousnessin the world that did not proceedfrom the Spirit of
God, and that was not maintained by his heavenly power;as none of the kings
of the earth can frame or defend goodorder, exceptso far as he shall be
assistedby the same Spirit. But in bringing forth judgment Christ is greatly
superior to all others, for he has receivedthe Spirit from the Father, that he
may pour it out on all his people; for not only does he by word or writing
prescribe what is proper, but inwardly forms the hearts of men, by the grace
of his Spirit, to preserve the rule of righteousness.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Calvin, John. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "Calvin's Commentary on
the Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cal/matthew-
12.html. 1840-57.
Scofield's ReferenceNotes
Gentiles
This too is most significant. The rejectedKing of Israelwill turn to the
Gentiles (cf.) Matthew 10:5; Matthew 10:6. In fulfilment this awaitedthe
official rejection, crucifixion, and resurrectionof Christ, and the final
rejectionof the risen Christ.; Luke 24:46;Luke 24:47; Acts 9:15; Acts 13:46;
Acts 28:25-28;Romans 11:11.

Copyright Statement
These files are consideredpublic domain and are a derivative of an electronic
edition that is available in the Online Bible Software Library.
Bibliography
Scofield, C. I. "ScofieldReferenceNoteson Matthew 12:18". "Scofield
Reference Notes(1917Edition)".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/srn/matthew-12.html. 1917.
John Trapp Complete Commentary
18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen;my beloved, in whom my soul is
well pleased:I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the
Gentiles.
Ver. 18. Behold my servant] My servant the Messias, as the Chaldee
Paraphrastrenders and expounds it. The Septuagintsomewhatobscure the
text by adding to it, "Beholdmy servant Jacob, and mine electIsrael." They
are saidto have translatedagainsttheir wills; no wonder then they deal not so
faithfully. Sure it is, that they have perverted various clearprophecies
concerning Christ; as this, for instance;which therefore our evangelistand
the restof the apostles allege notout of their translation but out of the Hebrew
verity. The Latins drink of the puddles, the Greeks ofthe rivers, but the
Hebrews of the fountains, said Johan. Reuchlin.

Whom I have chosen, my beloved, &c.]Ecce electum, dilectum. The Latins
have a proverb, Deligas quem diligas. Choose forthy love, and then love for
thy choice. Godhath also chosenus in the Beloved, Ephesians 1:6, that we
should be the belovedof his soul, or as the Septuagint there emphatically
render it, "his beloved soul," Jeremiah12:7; εδωκα την ηγαπημενην ψυχην
μου, Dilectamanimam meam, Vulgate.
And he shall show judgment] That is the doctrine of the gospel(whereby is
conveyedinto the heart that spirit of judgment and of burning, Isaiah 4:4), or
the sweeteffectofit, true grace, whichis called judgment, a little below,
Matthew 12:20.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Trapp, John. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". John Trapp Complete
Commentary. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/matthew-
12.html. 1865-1868.
Greek TestamentCriticalExegeticalCommentary
18. κρίσιν τ. ἔθν. ἀπ.] He shall announce judgment to the Gentiles, viz. in his
office as Messiahand Judge. In these words the majesty of his future glory is
contrastedwith the meekness aboutto be spokenof: q. d. ‘And yet He shall
not,’ &c.

Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Alford, Henry. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". Greek TestamentCritical
ExegeticalCommentary.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hac/matthew-12.html. 1863-
1878.
Heinrich Meyer's Critical and ExegeticalCommentaryon the New Testament
Matthew 12:18. Isaiah 40:1 ff., a very free rendering of the original Hebrew
text, yet not without some reminiscences ofthe LXX. Forthe ‫ֶע‬‫ב‬ֶ‫ע‬‫י‬ ‫ה‬ ֹ‫ו‬ֹ‫,ה‬ which
the LXX. ( ἰακὼβ ὁ παῖς μου)and modern expositors interpret as applying to
Israelas a nation, or the ideal Israelof the prophets, see, besides, the
commentaries on Isaiah; Drechslerand Delitzschin Rudelbach’s Zeitschr.
1852, 2, p. 258 ff.; Tholuck, d. Propheten u. ihre Weissag. p. 158 ff.; Kleinert
in the Stud. u. Krit. 1862, p. 699 ff.; F. Philippi in the Mecklenb. Zeitschr.
1864, 5, and 6. Matthew understands it as referring to the Messiah. Similarly
the Chaldee paraphrasts and Kimchi, in which they are justified by the
Messianic idea, as fulfilled in Christ, running through the whole passage. See
Acts 3:13; Acts 3:26; Acts 4:27; Acts 4:30; Hengstenberg, Christol. II. p. 216
ff., compared with Kleinert, l.c.
εἰς ὅν] in regard to whom. Directionof the approbation. Comp. 2 Peter1:17.
The aorists, as in Matthew 3:17.
θήσω τὸ πνεῦμα] i.e. I will make Him the possessorand the bearer of my Holy
Spirit, by whose powerHe is to work, Isaiah11:2; Isaiah61:1; Matthew 3:16;
Acts 4:27.
κρίσιν] not: quod fieri par est(Fritzsche); not: justice and righteousness
(Bleek);the goodcause (Schegg);or the cause ofGod (Baumgarten-Crusius);

not: recta cultus divini ratio (Gerhard); nor: doctrina divina (Kuinoel),—
which interpretations have been given in view of the ‫מפפט‬ of the original
(where it denotes the right, i.e. what is right and matter of duty in the true
theocracy. Comp. Ewald on Isaiah, l.c.; Hengstenberg, p. 233;and see in
general, Gesenius, Thes.III. p. 1464). But in the New Testamentκρίσις has no
other meaning but that of final sentence, judgment (also in Matthew 23:23);
and this, in fact, is the sense in which the Hebrew was understood by the LXX.
Matthew’s Greek expressionis doubtless to be understood no less in the sense
of a judicial sentence, i.e. the Messianic judgment, for which the Messiahis
preparing the way through His whole ministry, and which is to be
consummated at the last day.
τοῖς ἔθνεσιν] not: the nations, generally, but the heathen. Similarly also in
Matthew 12:21. The point of fulfilment in the prediction here quoted lies
simply in its serving to describe, as it does in Matthew 12:19 f., the
unostentatious, meek, and gentle nature of Christ’s ministry (Matthew 12:16),
so that it is unnecessaryto look to what precedes in order to find something
corresponding to τοῖς ἔθνεσι (some finding it in the multitudes that followed
Jesus). Jesus did not preachto the heathen till He did it through the apostles,
Ephesians 2:17, a matter altogetherbeyond the scope ofthe present passage.
It should be observedgenerally, and especiallyin the case ofsomewhat
lengthened quotations from the Old Testament, that it is not intended that
every detail is to find its corresponding fulfilment, but that such fulfilment is
to be lookedfor only in connectionwith that which the connectionshows to be
the main subjectunder consideration.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography

Meyer, Heinrich. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". Heinrich Meyer's
Critical and ExegeticalCommentary on the New Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hmc/matthew-12.html. 1832.
Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament
Matthew 12:18. ἰδοὺ ὁ παῖς ΄ου, ὃν ᾑρέτισα· ὁ ἀγαπητός ΄ου, εἰς ὃν εὐδόκησεν
ἡ ψυχή ΄ου· θήσω τὸ πνεῦμά ΄ου ἐπʼ αὐτὸν, καὶ κρίσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἀπαγγελεῖ·
οὐκ ἐρίσει οὐδὲ κραυγάσει, οὐδὲ ἀκούσει τὶς ἐν ταῖς πλατείαις τὴν φωνὴν
αὐτοῦ·κάλαμονσυντετριμμένονοὐ κατεάξει, καὶ λίνον τυφόμενονοὐ σβέσει·
ἓως ἂν ἐκβάλῃ εἰς νῖκος τὴν κρίσιν· καὶ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ ἔθνη ἐλπιοῦσι,—
Behold My Servant, whom I have chosen;My Beloved, in whom My soul is
well pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall announce judgment
to the Gentiles. He shall not strive nor cry; neither shall any man hear His
voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall
He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory. And, in His name
shall the Gentiles trust. The LXX. thus render Isaiah 42:1-4,— ἰακὼβ ὁ παῖς
΄ου, ἀντιλήψομαι αὖτοῦ·ἰσραὴλὁ ἐκλεκτός ΄ου, προσεδέξατο αὐτὸνἡ ψυχή
΄ου, ἔδωκα τὸ πνεῦμά ΄ου ἐπʼ αὐτὸν, κρίσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἐξοίσει· οὐ κράξεται,
οὐδὲ ἀνήσει, οὐδὲ ἀκουσθήσεται ἔξω ἡ φωνὴ αὐτοῦ·κάλαμονσυντεθλασμένον
οὐ συντρίψει, καὶ λίνον καπνιζόμενονοὐ σβέσει, ἀλλὰ εἰς ἀλήθειανἐξοίσει
κρίσιν, κ. τ. λ.(559)Jacobis My servant; I will defend him. Israel is my
chosen;My soul has accepted him: I have given my Spirit upon him; he shall
bear forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up [his voice];
nor shall his voice be heard without. A bruised reed shall he not crush, and
smoking flax shall he not quench; but he shall bear forth judgment unto
truth.— ὁ παῖς μου, my servant = the Hebrew ‫)065(,ידוע‬in Isaiah 42:1. And
the LXX. frequently express that Hebrew word(561)by παῖς,(562)e.g. where
Moses,oreven the Messiah, is spokenof. Cf. Acts 3:13; Acts 3:26; Acts 4:27;
Acts 4:30. Forit is not againrepeatedin the New Testamentconcerning the
Messiah, eitherbecause neither the Greek παῖς, or any other word,
corresponds sufficiently to that Hebrew word, which the apostles also usedin
the beginning, or else because neitherof them is suitable to our Lord’s state of
glorification. The words, servant and beloved, are parallel; and also, I have

chosen, and I am wellpleased.— ᾑρέτισα, I have chosen— αἱρετίζειν=
αἱρετὸνὁρίζειν, to setapart as chosen.— εἰς ὅν, towards whom) The
preposition εἰς denotes the perpetual tendency of the Father’s mind towards
His Beloved[Son]. See 2 Peter1:17.— κρίσιν, judgment) salutary to men. See
Matthew 12:20, and John 16:11.— κρίσις, judgment, is the separationof sin
and righteousness.— τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, to the Gentiles) when He shall have
departed from the Jews.— ἀπαγγελεῖ,He shall announce)He both performed
and announced it. The future tense is employed here; but the past afterwards
by St Paul, Ephesians 2:17 [with reference to the same matter].
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Bengel, JohannAlbrecht. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". Johann
Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jab/matthew-12.html. 1897.
Matthew Poole's EnglishAnnotations on the Holy Bible
The alterationis very little, and we must not expectto meet with quotations
out of the Old Testamentverbatim: it is enoughthat the sense is the same.
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen. The word indifferently signifieth a
child or a servant, Christ is calledthe Lord’s servant, because he took upon
him the form of a servant, and became obedient even to death, Philippians
2:7,8:
Whom I have chosen;my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased:in Isaiah
it is, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. Matthew seems
to have left out whom I uphold, and to have taken the next words, mine elect,
and to have translated them, whom I have chosen, which was all said by the

prophet. God chose the Lord Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer, and the Head
of the elect;hence we are said to be chosenin him, Ephesians 1:4. Petersaith
he was foreordained, 1 Peter1:20 2:6, he is called a chief Cornerstone, elect.
My beloved, in whom my soul
is well pleased:in Isaiah it is, in whom my soul delighteth: the sense is the
same.
He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles, or to the nations. The words
jpvm, in the Hebrew, krisiv in the Greek, and judgment in the English, are all
so variously used, as gives interpreters a greatlatitude to abound in their
senses.The most probable to me is this: Judgment signifies a thing adjudged:
all judgment is either of approbation or condemnation.
He shall bring forth, or he shall show, the things which God approveth and
judgeth right, both in matters of doctrine, worship, and the government of the
church of God, and in matters which concernthe government of men’s lives
and conversations:and to this end God promises to put his Spirit upon him, so
Isaiah11:2 41:1; and John tells us it was not given him by measure, John 3:34,
which is the same with being anointed with the oil of gladness above his
fellows, Psalms 45:7, which the apostle applies to Christ, Hebrews 1:9.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Poole, Matthew, "Commentaryon Matthew 12:18". Matthew Poole's English
Annotations on the Holy Bible.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mpc/matthew-12.html. 1685.
Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament

Chosen;to be the Messiah.
Show judgment; make known the truth to the Gentiles, and thus bring them
into obedience to himself and become their Lord and Judge. Compare Isaiah
2:2-4; Isaiah 11:10;Isaiah 62:2; Malachi1:1, etc.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Edwards, Justin. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "FamilyBible New
Testament". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/fam/matthew-
12.html. American TractSociety. 1851.
Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools andColleges
18. ὁ παῖς μου. ‘My servant.’ In Isaiah’s prophecy, either [1] ‘the chosenone,’
whom Jehovah raised‘from the north’ (Isaiah 41:25)to do his will, and bring
about His people’s deliverance from the Babylonish Captivity, or [2] the
nation of Israelthe workerout of Jehovah’s purposes, in either case in an
ultimate sense the Messiah.
κρίσιν. The Hebrew word (mishpat) is used in a wider sense than κρίσις
denoting ‘rule,’ ‘plan,’ ‘ordinance,’ &c. Adhering, however, to the strict force
of the Greek, we may regard κρίσις as the ‘divine sentence ordecree,’ so the
‘purpose’ of God in the Gospel.
τοῖς ἔθνεσιν. Possiblyour Lord in His retirement addressedHimself more
especiallyto the Gentiles—the Greeks, Phœnicians,and others, settlednear
the lake. ‘Theyabout Tyre and Sidon, a greatmultitude, … came unto Him,’
Mark 3:8.

Copyright Statement
Bibliography
"Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools
and Colleges".https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cgt/matthew-
12.html. 1896.
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible
18. Behold my servant — Christ, though the Son, humbled himself, and took
upon himself the form of a servant. He shall show judgment — That is, he
shall revealthe principles of truth and righteousness to the Gentiles. Here the
enlargementof the dispensationof the Messiahbeyond the limits of Judaism
(which was so greata difficulty at first even with our Lord’s apostles and the
Apostolic Church) is expresslypredicted by the Old Testamentprophets.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Whedon, Daniel. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "Whedon's Commentary
on the Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/whe/matthew-
12.html. 1874-1909.
PeterPett's Commentary on the Bible

“I will put my Spirit upon him, And he will declare judgment to the nations
(Gentiles).”
He is the One on Whom the Spirit has come in accordancewith Matthew 3:11,
as witnessedto in Matthew 3:16, being led by the Spirit from then on
(Matthew 4:1). But this is no ordinary anointing, for, as we learned in
Matthew 3:11, by it He became the One Who could dispense the Spirit. The
Spirit will work in accordance withHis will. And by casting out evil spirits by
that same Spirit He has demonstrated that the Kingly Rule of God has now
come (Matthew 12:28). Thus do we learn that the ability of the Apostles to
castout evil spirits (Matthew 10:1) has come through the work of the Spirit on
them, as promised in Matthew 3:11. And as a result He will declare righteous
truth to the nations (as described in the comments on Matthew 12:18 a).
The word ‘judgment’ includes both the thought of bringing righteous truth to
the nations, and also judgment (but still as righteous truth) for those who are
under condemnation (Matthew 11:20-24;Matthew 12:41-42). This will finally
result in His sending out of His Apostles to the nations (Matthew 24:14;
Matthew 28:19).
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Pett, Peter. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "PeterPett's Commentaryon
the Bible ". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pet/matthew-
12.html. 2013.
Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament

Matthew 12:18. Behold my servant. The Greek wordmeans both ‘son’ and
‘servant’ Christ as Messiahwas obedientas a ‘servant’ and dear as a ‘Son.’
The latter thought comes into prominence in the next clause:my beloved, etc.
Comp, the accounts ofthe baptism (chap. Matthew 3:17) and the
transfiguration (chap. Matthew 17:5). On the former occasionthere was a
direct fulfilment of the words:I will put my Spirit upon him—He shall
proclaim judgment to the Gentiles; announce the final judgment to the
Gentiles, presenting Himself as the Judge. Many from Gentile regions were
present at the time just spokenof (Mark 3:8). Some understand the clause as a
prediction that the gospel(‘judgment’) should be preachedto the Gentiles.
But this is not exact, and obscures the contrastin the prophecy. The Messiah
is the Judge and yet meek.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Schaff, Philip. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "Schaff's Popular
Commentary on the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/scn/matthew-12.html. 1879-
90.
George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary
Behold my servant, &c. The words are out of the prophet Isaias, Chap. xli. 1.
And it is observedthat the Jews, before the coming of Jesus, usedto expound
them of their Messias.(Witham) --- Our Lord Jesus Christ may be calledthe
Servant of the Almighty, because, as himselfassures us, he came down not to

be served, but to serve; or, as St. Remigius says, not on accountof his divinity,
but on accountof his humanity, which he receivedfrom the pure flesh and
blood of the immaculate Virgin. (in St. Thomas Aquinas) There is some
difference in the text of Isaias, whence this is taken. The apostles and
evangelists did not confine themselves to cite the very words of the text, but
only the sense. (Bible de Vence)
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Haydock, George Leo. "Commentaryon Matthew 12:18". "George
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hcc/matthew-12.html. 1859.
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Behold, &c. Quotedfrom Isaiah 41:8; Isaiah42:1. See App-107.
Servant. Greek. pais. See App-108.
Chosen. Greek. hairetizo. Occurs only here.
in. Greek. eis (App-104.); but L A WH omit. Tr. reads en (App-104.)
My soul= I (emph.) Hebrew. nephesh. App-9. Greek. psuche. App-110.
is well pleased= hath found delight.
spirit. See App-101.
upon. Greek. epi. App-104.
shew = declare.

Gentiles = nations.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "E.W.
Bullinger's Companion bible Notes".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bul/matthew-12.html. 1909-
1922.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged
Gentiles.
pleased:I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the
Gentiles.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.;Fausset,A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on
Matthew 12:18". "CommentaryCritical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

- Unabridged". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfu/matthew-
12.html. 1871-8.
The Bible Study New Testament
Here is my servant. Christ came as a servant. (Philippians 2:6-11)I will put
my Spirit on him. See Matthew 3:16-17. To all peoples. Notjust to the Jews.
Compare Mark 3:8.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Ice, Rhoderick D. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "The Bible Study New
Testament". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ice/matthew-
12.html. College Press, Joplin, MO. 1974.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(18) Beholdmy servant.—The mysterious “servantof the Lord,” who is the
central figure of the last part of Isaiah’s prophecies, appears sometimes as the
representative of Israel’s righteousness,sometimes ofits sins, now as one who
bore his witness as a prophet and messengerofGod, now as standing apart
from all others in solitary greatness,oryet more solitary suffering. In eachof
these aspects the words of Isaiah found their highest fulfilment in the Son of
Man. In referring these words to the Messiah, the Evangelistwas following in
the footsteps ofthe Chaldee Paraphrase, but we must remember also that the
words recorded as heard at the Baptism of Jesus (almostverbally identical
with those of the prophecy now cited) must also have suggestedthe
application, especiallyas connectedwith the promise, “I will put My Spirit
upon Him,” which had then receivedits fulfilment.

He shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.—The word“judgment” has a wide
range of meaning in the Hebrew of Isaiah, and includes the work of a king, as
teaching, no less than as executing, righteousness. As yet, of course, the work
of preaching the gospelto the Gentiles had not begun, but St. Matthew notes,
as it were, by anticipation, the spirit of love and gentleness which, when he
wrote his Gospel, had brought them also within the range of the judgments—
i.e., of the life-giving truths—of the righteous Judge. It is one of the many
instances in which his record, though obviously written for Jews, is yet
emphatically a Gospelfor the Gentiles.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Ellicott, Charles John. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "Ellicott's
Commentary for English Readers".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/matthew-12.html. 1905.
Treasuryof Scripture Knowledge
Gentiles.
Behold
This prophecy is expressly referred to the Messiahby the Targumist, who
renders, "Beholdmy servant the Messiah,"etc., ha avdi mesheecha;and it
was amply fulfilled in the gentle, lowly, condescending and beneficentnature

of Christ's miracles and personalministry, his perseverance in the midst of
opposition, without engaging in contentious disputation, and his kind and
tender dealing with weak and tempted believers.
my servant
Isaiah49:5,6; 52:13;53:11; Zechariah3:8; Philippians 2:6,7
whom I
Psalms 89:19;Isaiah 49:1-3;Luke 23:35; 1 Peter2:4
my beloved
3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 9:35; Ephesians 1:6; Colossians1:1,13;
*marg:; 2 Peter1:17
I will
3:16; Isaiah 11:2; 59:20,21;61:1-3;Luke 3:22; 4:18; John 1:32-34;3:34; Acts
10:38
and he
Isaiah32:15,16;49:6; 60:2,3; 62:2; Jeremiah16:19;Luke 2:31,32;Acts 11:18;
Acts 13:46-48;14:27; 26:17,18;Romans 15:9-12;Ephesians 2:11-13;3:5-8
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Torrey, R. A. "Commentary on Matthew 12:18". "The Treasuryof Scripture
Knowledge". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tsk/matthew-
12.html.

E.M. Zerr's Commentary on SelectedBooksof the New Testament
The quotation is from Isaiah 42:1-3 which is the Old Testamentform of
Esaias. The pronouns of the first person refer to God. Gentiles means the
nations in general. The favor of Christ"s work was finally to be given the
people of the world.
The Spirit Is Upon Him Gentle for Now
Palm Sunday
Resource by John Piper
Scripture: Matthew 12:18–21 Topic: The Holy Spirit
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 shall proclaim justice to
the Gentiles. He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will any one hear his voice
in the streets;he will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick,
till he brings justice to victory; and in his name will the Gentiles hope.
As I have tried to prepare my heart to meet Christ on Palm Sunday and
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and ResurrectionDay, a series of
pictures has come back to my mind againand again. Let me try to describe it
for you.
A Vision for Holy Week
A little lamb was born all wooly-white with skinny legs and a wetnose, pretty
much like all the other little lambs. But as the lamb grew into a sheep, the

other sheepbegan to notice a difference. This sheephad a strange lump on his
forehead. At first they thought he'd been hit, but the lump never went down.
Instead, a large pad of deep, white woolgrew over the lump and made it very
soft and firm. And even that might have stopped attracting attention except
for the fact that this sheep beganto use the lump on his head in very strange
ways. Forone thing, the lump seemedto weighdown his head so that he
always lookedlike he was bowing and showing reverence to some invisible
king. Then he began to seek outother sheepthat were sick or wounded. He
would use the firm, soft lump on his foreheadto help the weak onto their feet
and to wipe awaytears.
Whole flocks ofsheepstarted to follow him around, but the goats laughedhim
to scorn. Sheep were disgusting enough, but a sheep with a queer lump on his
foreheadwas more than they could take. They harassedhim all the time and
made up jokes and taunts: "How come you hang your woolyhead? Your
lump made out of woolenlead?" And it just infuriated them that he would
walk awayfrom them and keepon doing his quiet works ofmercy.
So one day the goats surrounded him and rammed him with their horns until
he died, and they left him alone in the field. But as he lay there something very
strange happened. He began to get bigger. The bloody woolfell awayand
revealeda sleek, white, horse-like hair. The softpad of deep white wool
dropped off his foreheadand straight out of the merciful lump grew a mighty
horn of crimson steelunlike any horn that has ever been or will be again. And
then as if by command the massive Unicorn leapedto his feet. His back stood
eight feet above the ground. The muscles in his shoulders and neck were like
marble. The tendons in his legs were like cables of iron. His head was no
longerbowed, and when he lookedto the right or to the left, the crimson horn
slashedthe air like a saberdipped in blood.
When the sheepsaw him, they fell down and worshiped. He bowedand
touched eachone on the foreheadwith the tip of his horn, whispered
something in their ear, and soaredawayinto the sky and hasn't been seen
since.

That's the vision in my mind as I enter Holy Week this year, and I think the
reasonit is there is that this morning's text has been simmering on the back
burner of my mind since January. It's a portrait of Jesus Christ painted by
Isaiahunder the inspiration of God and put on display by Matthew in the
12th chapter of his gallery. Like every goodwork of art this portrait has a
purpose, and the purpose is to cause us to set our hope on Jesus Christ. And I
am praying that this will happen in your life this morning, because I know
that everything else you setyour hope on will let you down in the end. But if
you hope in Jesus Christ, he will be honored in your life and you will never
regretit.
Matthew's Portrait of Jesus
So let's highlight some of the features of this portrait in Matthew 12:18–21.
The setting of the portrait is that the Phariseeshave just takencounselto kill
Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath (v. 14). Insteadof taking up arms to
protect himself and establish his kingdom by force, Jesus quietly withdraws.
It's what you might calla tacticalretreat until the proper time. But even in
retreat he continues to healthe sick (v. 15). "Many followedhim and he
healed them all." But just like he tries to avoid violence with the Pharisees, he
also tries to avoid notoriety and prestige with the people. He orders them not
to make him known (v. 16). He refuses violence and he refuses ostentation,
and quietly goes about his works of mercy. This prompts Matthew to take
Isaiah's ancient portrait of Jesus and put it on display here in verses 18–21.
Three Features of Jesus'Life and Ministry
Let's notice three features of the portrait.
First, the spring or source of his life (v. 18),
second, the spirit of his ministry (vv. 19–20),
third, the successofhis struggle (vv. 20–21).

1. The Spring of Jesus'Life
First, the spring of his life. If you climb along the streamof Jesus'life back up
to its highestsource, what do you find? In verse 18 God speaks andsays,
"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is
well pleased." The spring of Jesus'life is that he was chosen, loved, and
enjoyed by God. It's a remarkable thing to be chosenby God. God's choosing
is not like our choosing. We are given options. God is not given options; he
makes options. He did not canvas the Jewishcandidates for Messiahand
choose Mary's son. He had begottenfrom all eternity the only One who could
bring hope to a lostworld. Christ came into the world as the eternally chosen
one.
But the spring of Jesus'life is not just that he is chosen;he is also loved.
"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved." And specificallythe
kind of love that God the Father has towardthe Son is not a disinterested
benevolence ora dutiful debt of honor; but a deep pleasure in God's soul:
"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is
well pleased." Surelywhat God means when he speaks ofdelighting in Jesus
with his soul is that this joy, this pleasure is part of his very nature. Or to put
it another way, God the Father loves the Son with spontaneous pleasure.
When he beholds the Son, he sees that which by nature brings forth his most
passionate enjoyment. Which means that God the Father would be an idolater
unless what he saw in his Son was the image of his own glory. Jesus is God's
greatestdelight because Jesus is God. And the spring of Jesus'life is that he is
chosen, loved, and enjoyed by God as God. From that relationship flows
everything that he is and does.
2. The Spirit of Jesus'Ministry
The secondfeature of Jesus'portrait I want to highlight is the spirit of his
ministry. Verses 18–20continue:"I will put my Spirit upon him and he shall
proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not wrangle or cry aloud nor will any

one hear his voice in the streets;he will not break a bruised reed or quench a
smoldering wick."
The Surprising Way of the Kingdom of Christ
What makes this feature of Christ's portrait so amazing is that Jesus Christ
holds the most privileged position in the universe. He has absolute authority
over every creature. If any ruler ever had a right to reclaim his own kingdom
by force of arms and battle shouts, it was Jesus Christ. But when God
anointed him with the Holy Spirit, the result was very different from that.
"He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the
streets." He will not deal with his enemies now by desperate quarreling or
loud disputes or uproars in the streets. When the river of your life runs deep,
the waters canbe peaceful.
Too many people today are trying to show the fullness of the Spirit by
loudness and harshness and much show. Jesus simply did his work and tried
to avoid notoriety. "In quietness and trust will be your strength" (Isaiah
30:15). The kingdom of Christ is not of this world. If it were, there would be
clashes in the street, loud disputes, and battle cries of violence (John 18:36).
But insteadthe kingdom comes like a mustard seed, like leavenin a lump of
dough. It comes as righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit (Romans
14:17). It is receivedlike a child (Mark 10:15). It conquers by the force of
truth, love, and spiritual power.
The Expansive Gentleness ofJesus
The spirit of the ministry of Jesus is the spirit of tenderness with people who
are brokenand weak. Verse 20 is a beautiful stroke in the portrait of our
Lord: "He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick."
Picture an amaryllis bulb—the kind that grows about an inch a day and has a
huge beautiful flower on top. Then imagine a toddler coming along and
pulling the tablecloth so that the plant turns over and the stem is bent. You
try to stand it upright but it flops down every time as though it had a hinge.
The flowermay be pretty now but it is really done for. So we break off the
stem and hope for another.

But not Jesus. He does not break a bruised reed. Not that he doesn't ever do
some painful pruning in our lives (John 15). He does. But when life has dealt
us a devastating blow and we are deeply bruised in spirit and our head is on
the ground with desperation, Jesus does not come along and say, "O well, too
bad for this one." Clip! I've talkedwith some bruised reeds in our
congregationrecently. And I have been so glad to be able to read Psalm34:18,
"The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit."
The Spirit is upon Jesus gentle for now. The servant of the Lord uses splints
and props and soft bandages. He does not kick you when you are down. He
does not trample the oppressed. He does not break a bruised reed.
"Norquench a smoldering wick" (v. 20). My guess is that this morning some
of you feel like your spiritual lamp has almost gone out. For some the flame is
burning very low. For others all that's left is a smoldering wick. The word of
the Lord for you this morning is that Jesus does not quench the little spark of
spiritual life left in you. The Spirit of the Lord is upon him gentle for now. As
long as this life lasts the atmosphere of Jesus is all oxygen. The faintest spark
of spiritual life will glow and grow when it comes into contactwith Jesus.
"Godsent not the Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world
through him might be saved." Jesusdid not come to snuff out your struggling
flicker but to fan it carefully into a torch for his glory.
Jesus'Different Tone with the Unrepentant
These are comforting words from God's Word. But for whom? Who should be
comforted by them? Jesus did not speak tenderly to everybody. The bruised
reed and the smoldering wick are the penitent sinners who are crushed by
circumstances orby their own failures. They are despairing of their own
wisdom and resourcesto make anything worthwhile out of life. They are the
poor in spirit who mourn (Matthew 5:3, 4). They are the publican who cries
out "Godbe merciful to me, a sinner!" For these there is greattenderness,
forgiveness, healing, comfort.
But the tone of our Lord is very different toward the unrepentant. There are a
lot of people today who feel just as miserable as a bruised reed and a
smoldering wick but who have no intention of forsaking their sin. When Jesus

told the rich young man, "Sellwhat you possessand give to the poor," the
man turned awaysorrowful(Matthew 19:22). He hung his head like a broken
Amaryllis. He was like a bruised reed, but he would not submit to Jesus'
command. There are many such people and these words of Isaiahin Matthew
12 are not intended to comfort them in their rebellion. It is not a loving thing
to comfort unrepentant sinners in their sin. Loving words for the unrepentant
are words of warning, not words of comfort: "Truly, I sayto you, it will be
hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:23). But for
the poor in spirit, who humble themselves and cry out for mercy and turn
from their sin, Jesus is a tender healer and life-giver. "He will not break a
bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick."
3. The Success ofJesus'Struggle
We have seenthat the spring of Jesus'life is that he is chosen, loved, and
enjoyed by God (v. 18). We have seenthat the spirit of his ministry to the
broken and weak is a spirit of tenderness and mercy. And now finally we look
at the successofhis struggle. The lastpart of v. 20 says that Jesus will pursue
his ministry "Until he brings justice to victory; and in his name will the
Gentiles hope." As long as impenitent people prosper and penitent people who
trust Christ are bruised and crushed, justice has not come to victory.
But God promises that one day justice will come to victory. The tables will be
turned. The meek shall inherit the earth. Those who mourn will be comforted
(Matthew 5:4, 5). The weeds will be gatheredand thrown into the fire and the
righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father (Matthew
13:41–43).Isaiahgives us his owncommentary on this part of the portrait.
Isaiahsays in 11:3–4, "He shall not judge by what his eyes see, ordecide by
what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor and decide
with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the
rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked."
Justice will finally come to victory when the wickedwho do not repent are
punished and the bruised reeds are vindicated and raisedto glory.

So the text closeswith a world-wide promise, "In his name will the Gentiles
hope." The messageofChrist's forgiveness and tenderness is not limited to the
bruised reeds of Israel. Even though Jesus is the JewishMessiah, the good
news of his final victory over evil will reachto every nation; and there will be
people from every tribe and tongue and nation who set their hope on Jesus
Christ.
Three Implications for Our Lives
We close with some implications for our lives from these three features of
Jesus'portrait.
1) The spring of his life is that he is God's greatestdelight. Therefore, if we
want to see and hear what delights God, we should look at Jesus and listen to
his teaching. And if we ever hope for God to delight in us, we must trust and
obey Jesus and be filled with his Spirit.
2) The spirit of Jesus'ministry is a spirit of tenderness and forgiveness and
healing for bruised reeds and smoldering wicks. He is only severe with the
unrepentant and even then the wayis open. Therefore, take heart, you are
never beyond healing unless you are beyond humbling.
3) The successofJesus'struggle is that he will triumph over all the forces
which bruise reeds and quench wicks. Therefore, no matter how much it costs
to follow him in this life, we should setour hope only on him. The attempt to
find happiness in life by pinning your hope on something other than obedience
to Jesus is like a lamb trying to satisfy its thirst at the nipple of a mother wolf.
The source of your brief satisfactionwill eat you for supper when evening
comes. We were made to magnify the glory of Jesus Christ. We will never
have fullness of joy unless we setour hope fully on him and follow his
example.
Do you remember the last meeting betweenthe magnificent Unicorn and the
worshiping sheep? He bowed and touched eachone on the foreheadand
whispered something specialin their ear. This is what he said:

I touch you with my crimson horn,
And raise my lump upon your head
To signify you are new-born
With power that raised me from the dead.
I send you now as I was sent
To fan the wick and heal the reed,
Take mercy to the world's extent
And you will reign with me indeed.

The holy spirit delights in jesus

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