Matthew 12:17
in Matthew 12This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
KJV
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
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This verse in Matthew 12
Commentary
5 notes on this verseon Matthew 12:15-20
What does it mean that it is written in Matthew: 'A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench' (Matthew 12:20). For the explanation of this passage, the whole testimony that Matthew takes from the Prophet Isaiah must be set forth, even the words of Isaiah (Isaiah 42): according to the Septuagint interpreters and the Hebrew itself, to which Theodotus, Aquila, and Symmachus agree. Thus of the four Evangelists, only Matthew relates: "And Jesus knowing it, retired from thence: and many followed him, and he healed them all.
This site's exposition
spoken by Esaias the prophet
on Matthew 12:17-18
Spoken by Esaias the prophet introduces the longest Old Testament quotation in Matthew, Isaiah 42:1-4, and the bench reads its placement as pointed: directly after Jesus withdraws from a murder plot rather than fighting it, the prophet's servant is named, my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased, the same words the Father spoke at the baptism. The servant's mission to shew judgment to the Gentiles anticipates the chapter's own turn toward Nineveh and the queen of the south.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
on Matthew 12:17-21
And it should be known, that the meaning not only of this passage, but of many others also, is supported by this testimony from the Prophet. The words, Behold my servant, may be referred to the place in which the Father had said above, This is my Son. (Mat. 3:17.) The words, I will put my Spirit upon him, is referred to the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Lord at His baptism; He shall declare judgment to the Gentiles, to that which He says below, When the Son of Man shall sit in the seat of his Majesty.
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Christ retired into privacy and obscurity, that though he was eclipsed, the word of God might be fulfilled, and so illustrated and glorified, which was the thing his heart was upon. The scripture here said to be fulfilled is Isa. xlii.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
on Matthew 12:14-21
The first thing which demands our notice in this passage is the desperate wickedness of the human heart, which it exemplifies. Silenced and defeated by our Lord’s arguments, the Pharisees plunged deeper and deeper into sin. They “went out and held a council against Him how they might destroy Him.” What evil had our Lord done, that he should be so treated? None, none at all. No charge could be brought against his life. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners; his days were spent in doing good. No charge could be brought against his teaching.
The words behind it
9 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἵνα | ina | so that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| πληρωθῇ | plerothea | may be fulfilled | G4137 → | 86 times |
| τὸ | to | that | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ῥηθὲν | rhethen | having been spoken | G2046 → | 47 times |
| διὰ | dia | through | G1223 → | 664 times |
| Ἠσαΐου | esaiou | Isaiah | G2268 → | 22 times |
| τοῦ | tou | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| προφήτου | prophetou | prophet | G4396 → | 144 times |
| λέγοντος· | legontos | saying; | G3004 → | 1325 times |
ἵναso that
inaG2443 →668 times
πληρωθῇmay be fulfilled
plerotheaG4137 →86 times
τὸthat
toG3588 →19766 times
ῥηθὲνhaving been spoken
rhethenG2046 →47 times
διὰthrough
diaG1223 →664 times
ἨσαΐουIsaiah
esaiouG2268 →22 times
τοῦthe
touG3588 →19766 times
προφήτουprophet
prophetouG4396 →144 times
λέγοντος·saying;
legontosG3004 →1325 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Matthew 13:35So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”
it leads to
- Psalms 78:2
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
- Ephesians 3:9
and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
- Romans 16:25–26
Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past
- 1 Peter 1:20–21
He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.
- 1 Corinthians 2:7
No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.
- Psalms 78:2
Through
Matthew 21:4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
it leads to
- Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of…
- Zechariah 9:9
Through
Isaiah 42:9Behold, the former things have happened, and now I declare new things. Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”
it leads to
- Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
- Isaiah 46:9–10
Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.
- Isaiah 43:19
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Matthew
Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Matthew; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Letter 121, Chapter 2; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Remigius of Rheims, Catena Aurea by Aquinas.