MAT 12:15-21

Godʼs Chosen Servant

15Jesus, knowing this, withdrew from there. And large crowds followed him, and he healed them all.

16And he sternly charged them not to make him known —

17so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying:

18"Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul delights. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

19He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

20A crushed reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, until he leads justice to victory.

21And in his name the nations will hope."

In the world it was spoken into

In 1st-century Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, the term (servant) carried significant theological weight, particularly in Jewish prophetic literature where it often referred to a chosen agent of God, such as the suffering servant in Isaiah. Jesus’ withdrawal from public confrontation aligns with the honor-shame dynamics of the time, where avoiding direct conflict could preserve one’s dignity and authority. The healing of multitudes reflects Jesus’ role as a healer and miracle-worker, a figure expected in Jewish messianic hopes. The citation of Isaiah 42:1-4 underscores Jesus’ mission as one of gentleness and justice, contrasting with the militaristic or domineering messianic expectations some held. The mention of justice for the Gentiles would have been striking, as it broadened the scope of God’s redemptive work beyond Israel. The imagery of a bruised reed and smoldering wick highlights Jesus’ compassionate approach, avoiding unnecessary destruction, a stark contrast to the Roman imperial ethos of power and coercion.

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How other translations render this

MAT 12:15

KJV: But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
BSB: Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all,
Koinōnos: Jesus, knowing this, withdrew from there. And large crowds followed him, and he healed them all.

MAT 12:16

KJV: And charged them that they should not make him known:
BSB: warning them not to make Him known.
Koinōnos: And he sternly charged them not to make him known —

MAT 12:17

KJV: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
BSB: This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
Koinōnos: so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying:

MAT 12:18

KJV: 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.
BSB: “Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.
Koinōnos: Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul delights. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

MAT 12:19

KJV: He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
BSB: He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets.
Koinōnos: He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

MAT 12:20

KJV: A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
BSB: A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.
Koinōnos: A crushed reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, until he leads justice to victory.

MAT 12:21

KJV: And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
BSB: In His name the nations will put their hope.”
Koinōnos: And in his name the nations will hope.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Where the historical framing draws from

Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3

›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3

“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.”

Cited to ground: The healing of multitudes reflects Jesus’ role as a healer and miracle-worker

›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3

“He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles.”

Cited to ground: He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles.

Translator's notes

MAT 12:15

multitudes:The word translated 'multitudes' here emphasizes a very large number of people, suggesting a crowd so vast it was difficult to count or manage.

MAT 12:16

He warned:The term used here for 'He warned' carries a stronger sense of a stern command or a sharp rebuke, often implying an attempt to prevent someone from doing something.

MAT 12:18

servant:The word translated 'servant' can also mean 'child' or 'boy,' and in this context, it highlights a relationship of intimate dependence and chosenness, much like a beloved son.
soul:The word translated 'soul' refers to the very essence of a person's being, encompassing their life, mind, emotions, and will, not just an ethereal part of them.