Matthew 12:14-21

Dec 10, 2010 05:19 AM Done

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-14.htm" >14</a>Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

<ul>

<li ><a href="http://barnes.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a>

<ul>

<li >The Pharisees ... held a council ... - Mark adds that the Herodians also took a part in this plot. They were probably a "political" party attached firmly to Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, tetrarch of Galilee.</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li ><a href="http://gill.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible</a>

<ul>

<li >Mark says, the council was held by them with the Herodians; of whom, See Gill on <a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/22-16.htm" >Matthew 22:16</a> who, though they differed from them both in religion and politics, yet might be thought very proper persons to advise with about this matter; and especially, as they might have a greater interest at court, than they had. Nor did they scruple to enter into such a consultation, though on the sabbath day, and about the taking away of the life of an innocent person; which shows what scared consciences, and hard hearts they had, and how full of hypocrisy they were.</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li ><a href="http://jfb.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary</a>

<ul>

<li >This is the first explicit mention of their murderous designs against our Lord. Luke (Lu 6:11) says, "they were filled with madness, and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus." </li>

<li >These Herodians were supporters of Herod's dynasty, created by Cæsar-a political rather than religious party. The Pharisees regarded them as untrue to their religion and country. But here we see them combining together against Christ as a common enemy. So on a subsequent occasion (Mt 22:15, 16).</li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-15.htm" >15</a>But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

<ul>

<li ><a href="http://barnes.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a>

<ul>

<li >Mark adds that he withdrew "to the sea;" that is, to the Sea of Galilee. or Tiberias. He states also <a href="http://kingjbible.com/mark/3-7.htm">Mark 3:7-8</a> that "a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard what great things he did, came unto him." As some of these places were without the limits of Judea or inhabited by "Gentiles," this statement of Mark throws light on the passage quoted by Matthew Mat 12:21, "In his name shall the Gentiles trust."</li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-16.htm" >16</a>And charged them that they should not make him known:

<ul>

<li >

<a href="http://gill.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible</a>

<ul>

<li >And charged them that they should not make him known. This charge was given, either to the multitude that followed him, and were healed by him, that when they returned to the respective places from whence they came, they would not make it known to his enemies where he was, and what he had done to them; being neither desirous of popular applause and glory, nor willing to provoke them more, nor to fall into their hands as yet; or else, as Mark seems to intimate, to the unclean spirits, that they would not declare who he was, the Son of God, they confessed him to be: and very likely it was given to both, and that they should neither tell where he was, nor who he was; and this charge was a very severe one; for the word signifies a charge with threatenings, should they not observe his orders.</li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-17.htm" >17</a>That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

<ul>

<li >

<a href="http://barnes.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a>

<ul>

<li >That it might be fulfilled ... - Matthew here quotes a passage from <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/isaiah/42-1.htm" >Isaiah 42:1-4</a>, to show the "reason why he thus retired from his enemies and sought concealment." The Jews, and the disciples also at first, expected that the Messiah would be a conqueror, and vindicate himself from all his enemies. When they saw him retiring before them, and, instead of subduing them by force, seeking a place of concealment, it was contrary to all their previous notions of the Messiah.</li>

<li >Matthew by this quotation shows that "their" conceptions of him had been wrong. Instead of a warrior and an earthly conqueror, he was "predicted" under a totally different character. Instead of shouting for battle, lifting up his voice in the streets, oppressing the feeble - "breaking bruised reeds and quenching smoking flax, as a conqueror" - he would be peaceful, retiring; would strengthen the feeble, and would cherish the faintest desires of holiness. This appears to be the general meaning of this quotation here. Compare the notes at <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/isaiah/42-1.htm" >Isaiah 42:1-4</a>.</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li >

<a href="http://gill.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible</a>

<ul>

<li >That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying. <a href="http://bible.cc/isaiah/42-1.htm" >Isaiah 42:1</a> not that Christ gave the above charge with this view, that this passage in Isaiah might have its accomplishment: but this is an observation of the evangelist, that what was now done by Christ, by his private departure from the Pharisees, being unwilling to irritate them more; by his preaching to the Idumeans, Tyrians, and Sidonians; by healing their diseases, and shunning all ostentation and popular applause; and prohibiting to tell who and where he was, was a fulfilling of this prophecy; in which the Holy Spirit foreknowing the disposition and actions of Christ, predicted them: which, when considered, must be looked upon as a very large proof of the truth of his being the Messiah. For that this prophecy belongs to the Messiah, is owned by the Jews themselves (k)</li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-18.htm" >18</a>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.

<ul>

<li ><a href="http://barnes.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a>

<ul>

<li >Shall show judgment to the Gentiles - The word "judgment" means, in the Hebrew, law, "commands, etc.," <a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/19-9.htm" >Psalm 19:9</a>; <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/psalms/119-29.htm" >Psalm 119:29-30</a>. It means the "whole system of truth;" the law of God in general; the purpose, plan, or "judgment" of God about human duty and conduct. Here it means, evidently, the system of "gospel truth," the Christian scheme.</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li >

<a href="http://sco.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Scofield Reference Notes</a>

<ul>

<li >[2] Gentiles

This too is most significant. The rejected King of Israel will turn to the Gentiles (cf.) Mt 10:5,6. In fulfilment this awaited the official rejection, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ, and the final rejection of the risen Christ. Lk 24:46,47 Acts 9:15 13:46 Acts 28:25-28 Rom 11:11.

</li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-19.htm" >19</a>He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

<ul>

<li >

<a href="http://clarke.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Clarke's Commentary on the Bible</a>

<ul>

<li >He shall not strive, nor cry - The spirit of Christ is not a spirit of contention, murmuring, clamor, or litigiousness. He who loves these does not belong to him. Christ therefore fulfilled a prophecy by withdrawing from this place, on account of the rage of the Pharisees.</li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-20.htm" >20</a>A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

<ul>

<li >

<a href="http://barnes.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a>

<ul>

<li >A bruised reed ... - The reed is an emblem of feebleness, as well as of fickleness or want of stability, <a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/11-7.htm" >Matthew 11:7</a>. A bruised, broken reed is an emblem of the poor and oppressed. It means that he would not oppress the feeble and poor, as victorious warriors and conquerors did. It is also an expressive emblem of the soul broken and contrite on account of sin; weeping and mourning for transgression. He will not break it; that is, he will not be severe, unforgiving, and cruel. He will heal it, pardon it, and give it strength.

Smoking flax - This refers to the wick of a lamp when the oil is exhausted - the dying, flickering flame and smoke that hang over it. It is an emblem, also, of feebleness and infirmity. He would not further oppress those who had a little strength; he would not put out hope and life when it seemed to be almost extinct. He would not be like the Pharisees, proud and overbearing, and trampling down the poor. It is expressive, also, of the languishing graces of the people of God. He will not treat them harshly or unkindly, but will cherish the feeble flame, minister the "oil" of grace, and kindle it into a blaze.

Till he send forth judgment unto victory - "Judgment" here means truth - the truth of God, the gospel. It shall be victorious - it shall not be vanquished. Though the Messiah is not "such" a conqueror as the Jews expected, yet he "shall" conquer. Though mild and retiring, yet he will be victorious.

</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li >

<a href="http://vws.biblecommenter.com/matthew/12.htm" >Vincent's Word Studies</a>

<ul>

<li >Flax The Hebrew is, literally, a dimly burning wick he shall not quench (<a href="http://bible.cc/isaiah/42-3.htm" >Isaiah 42:3</a>). The quotation stops at the end of the third verse in the prophecy; but the succeeding verse is beautifully suggestive as describing the Servant of Jehovah by the same figures in which he pictures his suffering ones - a wick and a reed. "He shall not burn dimly, neither shall his spirit be crushed." He himself, partaking of the nature of our frail humanity, is both a lamp and a reed, humble, but not to be broken, and the "light of the world." </li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/12-21.htm" >21</a>And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

<ul>

</ul>