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
10 notes on this verseWhat 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
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah
on Matthew 12:17-18
The words “This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah” introduce the longest Old Testament quotation in Matthew, Isaiah 42:1-4. It names the Servant “My beloved, in whom My soul delights”. The Servant will “proclaim justice to the nations”, which anticipates the chapter’s turn to Nineveh.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
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.
Then, lest thou shouldest be confounded at what is going on, and at their strange frenzy, He introduces the prophet also, foretelling all this. For so great was the accuracy of the prophets, that they omit not even these things, but foretell His very journeyings, and changes of place, and the intent with which He acted therein; that thou mightest learn, how they spake all by the Spirit. For if the secrets of men cannot by any art be known, much more were it impossible to learn Christ's purpose, except the Spirit revealed it.
The Medieval Church2 voices
This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah. Here he cites a text from Isaiah (42:1). And it should be noted that some apostles cite texts according to the Hebrew version, some according to the Septuagint, and some merely expressed the sense …
Matthew brings in the prophet as a witness to Jesus' meekness (Is. 42:1-4). For whatever the Jews want, he says, Christ will do. If they do not want Him to be made known, then He will not make Himself known. He will not stand up …
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.
3 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
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 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. He had proved it to be agreeable to Scripture and reason, and no reply had been made to his proofs. But it mattered little how perfectly he lived or taught: he was hated. This is human nature appearing in its true colors! The unconverted heart hates God, and will show its hatred whenever it dares, and has a favorable opportunity. It will persecute God’s witnesses; it will dislike all who have anything of God’s mind and are renewed after his image. Why were so many of the prophets killed? Why were the names of the apostles cast out as evil by the Jews? Why were the early martyrs slain? Why were John Hus, and Jerome of Prague, andRidley and Latimer burned at the stake? Not for any sins that they had sinned, not for any wickedness they had committed. They all suffered because they were godly men. And human nature, unconverted, hates godly men because it hates God. It must never surprise true Christians if they meet with the same treatment that the Lord Jesus met with. “Marvel not if the world hates you” ( 1 John 3:13 ). It is not the utmost consistency or the closest walk with God that will exempt them from the enmity of the natural man. They need not torture their consciences by fancying that if they were only more faultless and consistent, everybody would surely love them. It is all a mistake.
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
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1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
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 Chrysostom, Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 40; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Remigius of Rheims, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Matthew and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Matthew.