Matthew 12:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;

NIV: He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.

NASB: HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.

CSB: He will not argue or shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets.

NLT: He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public.

KJV: He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

NKJV: He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.

Matthew is quoting a version of Isaiah 42 and applying it to Jesus. The original passage was, it would seem, written about Israel. Under the inspiration of the Spirit, though, Matthew shows how Jesus has fulfilled the prophecy. Jesus is sometimes called the perfect Israel or the ultimate Israel. He is the best and fullest example of God's chosen people.

The passage in Isaiah is describing this servant with whom God is pleased and on whom the Father has placed His Spirit (Isaiah 42:1–3). The servant's work will eventually be to proclaim justice to those who are not Israel, the Gentile nations.

Now Isaiah adds that the servant will not quarrel or cry out. Nobody will hear His voice in the streets. In other words, the servant is gentle and humble, not putting effort into calling attention to Himself. This was true of Jesus, as well. He taught publicly and He healed many people, but He avoided conflict with His enemies when it was prudent (Matthew 12:15) and warned His followers not to publicize His miracles (Matthew 12:16). Still, the crowds grew. Jesus did not have to engage in self-promotion to draw people to His words and deeds.

Matthew 12:15–21 shows Jesus withdrawing away from the Pharisees, who want to destroy Him. The crowds persist in following Him, though, and He continues to tell those He heals not to make Him known. Matthew declares that Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1–4. Isaiah quotes God referring to His promised servant using the same terminology God used of Jesus at His baptism. This servant is gentle, refusing to call attention to Himself, but is also the One who will bring justice to victory and in whom the Gentiles will hope.

Matthew 12 features confrontations between the Pharisees and Jesus over several issues. Among these are working on the Sabbath, healing on the Sabbath, and the source of His power to cast out demons. Jesus counters each argument and rebukes the Pharisees sharply for their obstinate unbelief. He even notes that those who maliciously ascribe His miracles to demons are unforgivable. He warns them, and the rest of their current generation, about the judgment to come. Jesus calls the Pharisees a brood of vipers and rejects their demand for another miracle. All they'll be promised is the sign of Jonah. The Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days. Jesus also states that all who do His Father's will are His family.

Matthew 11 depicted Jesus preaching and teaching after sending out His chosen disciples in pairs in chapter 10. Chapter 12 immediately picks up with more confrontation with the Pharisees. Jesus responds to those criticisms and rebukes their evil hearts as the source of their evil words. In the following chapter, Matthew will shift His focus onto Jesus' parables.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.