How does Matthew 12:17–21 fulfill Isaiah 42?

Matthew 12:17–21 (ESV)

17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

In short

Matthew 12:18–21 fulfills Isaiah 42 in that

Jesus is the suffering servant who was chosen by God to humbly fulfill his ministry and bring justice to all the nations; or
Jesus is the suffering servant who was chosen by God, and he will not crush those who have disappointed him.

Isaiah 42 predicts that the Messiah would be filled with the Spirit of God. He would not cry aloud in the street, and a bruised reed he would not break. Eventually he will bring justice to victory, and the Gentiles will hope in him. So how does Jesus fulfill all of this?

When Matthew reflects on Jesus’ ministry, he notices a remarkable parallel between Isaiah’s prediction (Isa. 42:1–4) and Jesus’ power to heal, his compassion for sinners and the diseased, and his ministry’s having gone out to the Gentiles. An especially poignant example of how Jesus fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4 is when, after healing a man on the Sabbath, the Pharisees plot to kill Jesus. Jesus was righteous and had the support of the crowds. He could have used his popularity to expose the foolishness of the Pharisees. Instead, he quietly withdrew and continued his ministry. This fulfills the fact that he would not cry aloud in the streets (Matt. 12:19).

Also, Matthew notes that the ministry he conducts is one of healing (Matt. 12:15). Not only does Jesus avoid the limelight, but he dedicates his time to the weak, the sinners, and the diseased. The religious elite do not follow Jesus. Instead, he ministers to the bruised reed and the smouldering wick (Matt. 12:20)—the outcasts of society—and will continue to do so until he brings justice (Matt. 12:20).

Some authors think that Matthew 12:18–21 fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4 because although Jesus is disappointed in the religious leaders, he does not crush them. This view is based on the notion that the bruised reed and the smouldering wick represent the religious leaders, not the broken and the sick whom Jesus healed. The problem with this view is that it does not do justice to the illustration from Isaiah. Reeds and wicks were plentiful and cheap, so when they did not work properly, they were simply discarded. The user was not disappointed, but indifferent. The point is that Jesus was not indifferent but cared for the vulnerable even when others would simply discard them. Further, this view implies that Jesus overlooks evil. While Jesus puts up with our sin, he does not overlook evil and in fact, speaks out against it on numerous occasions (Matt. 12:34; 21:12–13).

In the end, it is best to see that Matthew 12:18–21 fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4 because Jesus does not use his power to stir the crowd against the Pharisees, but instead, humbly continues his ministry to the vulnerable.

Interpretation 1:
Matthew 12:17–21 fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4 because Jesus is the suffering servant who was chosen by God to humbly fulfill his ministry and bring justice to all the nations.

Summary:

Even though the Pharisees unjustly plot to kill the innocent Jesus (Matthew 12:14), Jesus does not stir up the crowd in opposition. Instead, as God’s chosen servant (Matthew 12:18) he quietly carries on his ministry in the power of the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:18). Jesus is not interested in notoriety, but instead he gives his energy to those who are lowly and despised (Matthew 12:20), an attitude that will attract the Gentiles and eventually all nations (Matthew 12:21).

Jesus’ ministry was characterized by compassion and a genuine love to accomplish God’s will. Although he had the power and popularity to brazenly oppose his enemies, instead, he quietly carried on his ministry in the power of the Spirit. We need to adopt Jesus’ humble attitude. God does not call us to seek our own glory but his, and his glory shines bright when we quietly service the lowly and the meek.

Advocates:

Craig L. Blomberg
Donald Carson
Leon Morris
John Nolland
David Turner
Jakob van Bruggen

Minor differences:

All our authors generally agree that Matthew sees how beautifully Jesus’ ministry fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4. Jesus is the servant of the Lord on whom God’s Spirit rests. He does not quarrel needlessly, nor does he self-aggrandize even though his powers are beyond imagination. Jesus had compassion on all, and extended salvation not only to the Jews but also the Gentiles.¹

Still, there is a significant difference between Jakob van Bruggen and the rest Matthew 12:20 states that a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench. For most of our authors, the notion that Jesus would not break a bruised reed nor quench a smouldering wick has to do with the fact that Jesus cares for those who are scorned and despised. Leon Morris explains that a reed might be used as a flute, a measuring rod, or a pen, and that these were plentiful. A perfectly good reed was delicate enough, and given the abundance of reeds, the natural thing to do is to discard an imperfect reed for a new one. Of course, Jesus does not discard the broken people who might be characterized as a bruised reed, but instead cares for them.²

Van Bruggen takes a different interpretive approach.³ He suggests that the bruised reed and the smouldering wick illustrate Jesus’ attitude toward the Pharisees. Since a reed was used for writing and a wick for a lantern, one can conclude that these are items which someone relies on. According to van Bruggen, in the same way Jesus should have been able to rely on the Pharisees, but instead, they have disappointed him because they plot to kill him. Still, Jesus will not crush Pharisees or snuff them out; instead he will allow them to follow through with their plan to execute him.⁴

Since Matthew is quoting from a lengthy section of Isaiah, it is not easy to see how van Bruggen’s interpretation of Matthew 12:20 affects his overall interpretation of Matthew 12:18–21. For that reason, it seemed best to point out the difference between van Bruggen and the rest here. Still, van Bruggen’s view is different enough to justify an entirely separate interpretation, so that option has also been outlined below (see Interpretation 2).

Arguments

Explanation:

In order to understand how Jesus fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4 we should ask why Matthew places this fulfillment text in Matthew 12. What we find in that chapter are two accounts that explain why the Pharisees were becoming increasingly angry with Jesus. In the first account, Jesus allows his disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1–2); in the second, he healed a man on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:10). These episodes give the Pharisees great distress, so they conspire to destroy Jesus (Matthew 12:14). Jesus became aware of their plan, so he quietly withdrew but continued his ministry, telling the people whom he healed not to spread his fame (Matthew 12:15–16). As Matthew reflects on this, he sees that Jesus is not like the religious leaders. First, he does not care about earthly fame. Second, given his popularity, he could have easily turned the people against the Pharisees, but he refrains. Instead, Jesus removes himself from the limelight and quietly continues healing the sick and the lowly.

For Matthew, it is a profound insight. Jesus is the suffering servant predicted by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 42:1–4. The Spirit of God was upon Jesus, allowing him to perform his many miracles.⁵ The Jewish leaders were rejecting him but not the Gentiles. Even though Jesus had power and popularity to counter the Pharisees, he instead quietly withdraws. He continues his humble work, healing the sick and the lowly, before bringing salvation to all the world.⁶

Counterargument:

We should not press the context for a reason for the insertion of Isaiah 42:1–4. In fact, we are a third of the way through Matthew’s Gospel, and it seems as though Matthew is running out of space to introduce Isaiah 42:1–4, which Matthew sees as an important description of Jesus’ ministry. In this sense, we might conclude that Matthew introduces the setting of Matthew 12:15–16 as an excuse, so he can include the quote from Isaiah.⁷ Matthew wants his readers to know that Jesus fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4, but he needs a way to introduce the content, so he includes the details of Matthew 12:15–16. Isaiah 42:1–4 explains that God’s chosen servant would not cry aloud, or break a bruised reed. Most likely Matthew includes the fact that Jesus withdrew and healed all those who came to him (Matthew 12:15–17), because it mimics the description of the chosen servant in Isaiah 42:1–4.⁸

Response to counterargument:

On the contrary, the fact that Jesus withdraws from the threat of the Pharisee's plot, even when the crowds were enamoured with his fame, is a significant aspect of his ministry. Popular messianic expectation was for the Messiah to exercise authority and crush the Israelites' opponents.⁹ Instead, when Jesus faced hostile opposition, rather than wielding his influence to provoke the crowds against this injustice, he shows his authority in his concern for the poor and the lowly.¹⁰ Jesus’ authority is not directed to serve himself but to serve the other. Thus, Matthew sees that Isaiah 42:1–4 remarkably illustrates the nature of Jesus’ ministry.¹¹

Explanation:

If Jesus decided to confront the Pharisees on their turf, he had the upper hand. The Pharisees plotted against Jesus because they were jealous of his popularity. The crowds loved Jesus and followed him from place to place. When Jesus learned that the Pharisees plotted against him, he could have stirred the masses against them if he wanted. Instead, Jesus proves to be humble and merciful to the weak.¹² Jesus’ ministry and the kingdom of God are manifested by compassionate service. Jesus does not use his power to form an opposition through the crowds, but he humbly retreats to a quieter place so he can continue his work of healing and restoration.

How fitting then for Matthew to see that Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus. The prophecy states that God’s servant would not cry aloud in the streets (Isaiah 42:2). In the same way, rather than waste his time protesting the injustice of the Pharisees, Jesus continues to quietly work at his ministry.

Counterargument:

The reason Jesus does not confront the Pharisees is not because he is too busy with his ministry to stoop to such lows. Rather, Jesus is intent to show that there is room, even for those who attack him.¹³ Jesus is humble, and he will allow people to oppose and contradict him.¹⁴ This attitude shows that Jesus is prepared to suffer and die even though he is God’s beloved.¹⁵

Response to counterargument:

The fact that Jesus quietly withdraws in order to continue his ministry is not to show that Jesus is silent on matters of injustice. For if Jesus was silent on matters of injustice, who would proclaim justice on the Gentiles (Matthew 12:18)?¹⁶ Jesus is not silent when it comes to opposing evil; in fact, in a few short verses Jesus will call the religious leaders a brood of vipers (Matthew 12:34), and before he is arrested he chases the money changers from the temple (Matthew 21:12–13). That Jesus withdraws quietly from the plot of the Pharisees illustrates that Jesus is neither brash nor arrogant, but rather, humble and gentle.¹⁷

Possible weaknesses:

It is hard to say what the weakness of this view might be. The context lends strong support to the notion that Jesus is the humble servant who humbly continues his ministry in the face of opposition. One possible weakness is that if Jesus is supposed to be so popular that he could have easily opposed the Pharisees by his influence, then why did the crowds eventually allow him to be crucified? Still, the weakness might be answered by the fact that crowds are fickle, and by the time Jesus is arrested, given his priorities, the Pharisees had succeeded in turning the crowd against him.

Interpretation 2:
Matthew 12:17–21 fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4 because Jesus is the suffering servant who was chosen by God, and he will not crush those who have disappointed him.

Summary:

Jesus is the righteous Son of God, and when the Pharisees plot to kill him, he does not resist their efforts. Instead, Jesus quietly makes room for those who oppose him. Even though Jesus should have been able to rely on the Pharisees as his spiritual brothers, and they have betrayed him, Jesus will not strike them down.

Advocates:

Jakob van Bruggen

Arguments

Explanation:

Matthew states that Jesus fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4. The quote explains that Jesus would not break a bruised reed or quench a smouldering wick. What does it mean that Jesus would not break a bruised reed or quench a smouldering wick? The best way to understand the illustration is to consider it from the perspective of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah used the reed to write so it was a tool he depended on to accomplish his work. When the reed was broken, Isaiah would be disappointed because he could no longer continue in his work. At the same time, the lamp was used to cause light and when the wick went out, he would feel let down.¹⁸

Similarly for Jesus, he should have been able to rely on the Pharisees as his spiritual relations. Instead, they have let Jesus down and they are plotting to kill him. The Pharisees are what a broken reed or a low wick is to a writer; the Pharisees have disappointed Jesus. Still, Jesus will not speak out against them or crush them. Instead, he will allow them to continue plotting even to his death.¹⁹

Counterargument:

There are at least two problems with this interpretation. First, although reeds were useful, these were not highly valued objects because there was an abundance of them available. A bruised reed would not disappoint the writer; instead, the writer would simply discard it for a new one. Similarly, a smouldering wick would have been a nuisance, not a disappointment. Given the inexpensive cost, it would be much more convenient for the writer to simply snuff out the wick and replace it, then to care for a smouldering flame.²⁰ Thus, by likening Jesus’ hearers to bruised reeds and smouldering sicks, Matthew and Isaiah illustrate the radical nature of God. A reed and a wick are delicate to begin with, but Jesus cares not only for those who are delicate, but also for the delicate who are bruised and smouldering. Jesus’ healing ministry attests to his compassion (Matthew 12:15).

Second, it will not do to suggest that Jesus is silent when it comes to injustice (see Interpretation 1, 2) response to counterargument). The text itself states that Jesus would proclaim justice to the Gentiles (Matthew 12:18). We also know that Jesus confronted the religious leaders on occasion (Matthew 12:34; Matthew 21:12–13). Still, Jesus’ priority was to follow through on the Father’s will and so he did not always confront the religious leaders as we might expect but acted in wisdom according to God’s priorities.

Possible weaknesses:

The problem with this view is that it runs counter to the immediate and the broad literary context. We know from the immediate context that Jesus was willing to speak out against the religious leaders so we should look for another reason for Jesus’ withdrawal. Further, we know from the broad literary context of the Gospels that Jesus promoted justice and righteousness (Luke 18:7).

Interpretation 1:Matthew 12:17–21 fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4 because Jesus is the suffering servant who was chosen by God to humbly fulfill his ministry and bring justice to all the nations.

Interpretation 2:Matthew 12:17–21 fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4 because Jesus is the suffering servant who was chosen by God, and he will not crush those who have disappointed him.

Interpretation 1:
Matthew 12:17–21 fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4 because Jesus is the suffering servant who was chosen by God to humbly fulfill his ministry and bring justice to all the nations.

Interpretation 2:
Matthew 12:17–21 fulfills Isaiah 42:1–4 because Jesus is the suffering servant who was chosen by God, and he will not crush those who have disappointed him.