←
Explanation for:
Matthew
12
:
20
The bruised reed he shall not break: and smoking flax he shall not extinguish: till he send forth judgment unto victory.
11
more explanations
& daily audio-books
spoken by
– enjoy in Theosis App –
Start your
Bible-journey
with explanations
& daily audio-books
only 4$* per month
{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The individual who refuses to reach out to the sinner or support his brother in their struggles harms the already fragile. Likewise, one who looks down on the feeble flicker of faith in those vulnerable extinguishes the dim light. In contrast, Christ did not act in these ways, for He came to redeem what is lost."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"To provide clarification on the events that have occurred and the intense emotions felt, the evangelist references the prophecy that predicted these occurrences. The prophets articulated every aspect of Christ’s life with such thoroughness that nothing was omitted, revealing not only His actions but also the intentions behind them, demonstrating that they spoke through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If understanding human mysteries is challenging, it is even more so to grasp the divine purposes of Christ without revelation from the Spirit. The evangelist thus cites the words of the prophet, saying, “Therefore let it be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, ‘Behold My child, whom I have willed; My beloved, on whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall declare judgment with his tongue: no man shall cease, nor cry, nor shall any man hear his voice on the crossroads. He shall not break the broken reed, nor quench the dimly burning wick, till his judgment is brought to victory: and in his name shall the Gentiles put their trust’ (vv. 17-21).” \\n\\nThe prophet extols the gentleness and profound strength of Christ, revealing a vast and open invitation to the Gentiles while also predicting the calamities that will befall the Jewish people, illustrating the unity of Christ with the Father. He proclaims, “Behold, My Son, whom I will; My beloved, on whom My soul is well pleased.” If Christ is chosen by God, it does not imply that He opposes or acts contrary to the law; rather, He operates in perfect accord with the divine will. Furthermore, by emphasizing His humility, it is noted that He will not shout or raise His voice. Christ aimed to heal the sick, yet when faced with rejection, He did not retaliate. In highlighting His strength contrasting with their frailty, it is mentioned, “He will not break the broken reed,” which illustrates how easy it would be for Christ to dominate those who are already fragile. He will not extinguish the dimly burning wick either. Here, the prophet portrays the fierce indignation of the Jews juxtaposed with Christ’s ability to gently temper their rage, showcasing His remarkable gentleness. \\n\\nWhat then? Will this approach persist? Will He tolerate indefinitely those who slander and rage against Him? No! Once His purpose is fulfilled, He will enact judgment. This is captured in the phrase “Till He brings forth judgment in victory.” Furthermore, “In His name shall the Gentiles place their trust.” Similarly, Paul notes that readiness to exact vengeance will assure obedience is fulfilled (2 Corinthians 10:6). What does “Until He brings the judgment to victory” signify? Once He has completed His work, He will administer justice and take vengeance, leaving those who oppose Him afflicted; He will raise a radiant standard, asserting His truth, and silencing any claims of objection. Scripture often equates truth with judgment. However, the divine plan extends beyond merely punishing the unbelievers; the Lord will also draw all nations unto Himself, which is why it adds, “And in His name shall the Gentiles place their trust.” To affirm that this indeed reflects the Father’s will, the prophet initially confirms it with the declaration, “My beloved, on whom my soul is well pleased.” The Beloved acts in accordance with the desires of Him who loves."},{"author-name":"Basil the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c889927158e4af30595484_Basil%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What is the significance of the “bruised reed and flickering wick,” and in what way does someone “not break” the one and “extinguish” the other (Matt. 12:20)? The bruised reed likely represents an individual who, despite any struggles, strives to obey God's commandments. Such a person is not to be broken or discarded but rather to be restored, as the Lord instructs, \\"See that you do not do your righteous acts before men to be seen by them\\" (Matt. 6:1); and as the Apostle exhorts, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning” (Phil. 2:14); and in another passage, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit” (Phil. 2:3). The flickering wick symbolizes one who carries out a command not with fervent devotion and dedicated effort, but with laziness and indifference; this should not be extinguished, but rather kindled by reminding him of God’s judgments and promises."},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Even in His desire to remain understated, the prophecy of Isaiah is realized: Christ is cherished by God, and within Him resides the counsel of the Father’s will, empowered by the Spirit of God. He announces justice among the nations, and neither the damaged reed is shattered nor the flickering wick extinguished. This signifies that the fragile and weary frames of the Gentiles are not broken but instead preserved for salvation, and the small flame, akin to the flickering wick, remains alight. Weary Israel has not been forsaken of the ancient grace, for there exists the opportunity to reach the fullness of light during the season of repentance. However, this is set within the framework of a specific period—until He executes the judgment of triumph, having vanquished the dominion of death. He will return in His glory, judge the nations, and the Gentiles will place their trust in His name through faith."},{"author-name":"Maximus the Confessor","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8951a1dea23713695271e_Maximus%20the%20Confessor.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":7,"exegesis-text":"What is the significance of the phrase, “He will not break the broken reed, nor extinguish the smoldering wick”? The one who emulates the Lord and approaches others with kindness does not allow the reed, which has been damaged by sin, to be further harmed. Furthermore, if someone's heart is clouded by the smoke of vanity arising from their virtues, this compassionate figure does not snuff it out; rather, they foster the same passion until that individual reaches a complete understanding. Ultimately, this may also imply that just as the good seed grows, so do the weeds (Matthew 13:25-30); that is, alongside righteousness, the tendencies towards seeking human approval and pride arise. The Master of souls instructs that the weeds should not be removed until the virtues have matured, ensuring that those who seek to eliminate these flaws do not inadvertently uproot the passion for goodness in the process."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He has the power, as he indicates, to shatter the Jews as one would break a frail stick, and to extinguish their anger like smoldering or blazing flax; however, he refrained from doing so until he completed the necessary tasks and triumphed over them in every way. This is illustrated by the subsequent words. In order to leave them without any grounds for excuse, he persevered through all trials, so that those who had no argument could ultimately be judged and defeated."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He addressed the Jewish people, recognizing their utter inability to withstand His divine and unbeatable strength, illustrating it not merely as a frail instrument but as a shattered one, enhancing their helplessness. He states that while He could easily overwhelm them like a broken reed, He chooses not to do so out of His patience. He will not extinguish the flickering flame. In this context, He portrays the Jews' fiery resentment towards the Savior, referring to the flame as flickering because it is easily snuffed out by the might of Jesus Christ, just as one can easily extinguish a smoldering, burning wick. The term \\"flax\\" here signifies linen fabric. Yet, He refrains from extinguishing it to demonstrate His remarkable love for humanity through forbearance until He ultimately achieves victory in judgment, fulfilling His righteousness, and presenting the justifications that will condemn the Jews, stripping away every bold excuse they possess. Subsequently, He will shatter them like a potter's jar with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9) during the time of Roman rule under Vespasian and Titus, who besieged and annihilated them."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He had the power to shatter His adversaries like a fragile reed, yet He chooses not to act in such a manner due to His enduring patience. Instead of casting aside those who are downtrodden, despondent, or burdened by their passions, He opts to uplift, nurture, strengthen, and console them, particularly those who suffer and yearn for liberation. AND THE SMOKING FLAX WILL NOT BE EXTINGUISHED. While it would be simple for Him to quench the feeble wrath of His foes, just as He extinguishes the smoking flax, He refrains from doing so in order to demonstrate His infinite love for us through His patience. He will not scorn anyone who, despite their frailties and incomplete efforts, strives to adhere to His sacred commandments, nor will He allow even the slightest flicker of this holy longing to be snuffed out. This will continue until He fully establishes His righteousness, until His truth, His gospel, prevails over His opponents; only then will He defeat them like shattered clay vessels with a rod of iron, through the relentless Romans led by Vespasian and Titus."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"He will not break the bruised reed\\": the reed symbolizes fragility, instability, and inconsistency (Matt. 11:7); a bruised reed represents profound weakness, referring to the marginalized and the downtrodden, those shattered by life's trials, or those “who are subject to any passion, but are willing to do the will of God.” The Messiah will not shatter this reed, will not completely crush them, will not cast them aside, or abandon them; instead, He will illuminate, fortify, correct, and comfort them. This promise encompasses all who are poor in spirit, as well as those who labor and are burdened, finding rest for their souls in Christ. St. John Chrysostom and Theophylact offer this interpretation: ‘it was possible for Christ to break all the unbelieving Jews like a reed, already damaged, but He chose not to.’ - ‘The smoldering wick’ also represents similar weakness and burden, symbolizing a person who follows God's commandments without fervor or full commitment, as well as a weary individual who should not be dismissed; rather, they ought to be uplifted and inspired. Chrysostom (cf. Theophilus) explains it this way: ‘this represents the seething anger of the Jews and the power of Christ, who can easily calm and extinguish such anger.’ - ‘To the judgment of triumph’: through this gentle and humble approach, He will ultimately lead the gospel to conquer the world; victory will come to the judgment, for in the judgment that precedes the gospel and in the final judgment, all antagonistic powers will be vanquished (1 Cor. 15:24-29)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"John Chrysostom delves into the prophet's words, \\"He will not break a bruised reed, and He will not quench a smoking flax.\\" He observes that it would have been easy for Christ to shatter His adversaries like a cane already in ruins, and to extinguish the burning wrath of the Jews like smoking flax. Yet, He chose not to do so, thereby manifesting His profound gentleness. Through this humble and patient demeanor, He will ultimately ensure that the truth prevails, granting victory to truth itself, and in His name, all peoples will place their trust."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He will not raise His voice, nor will it be heard in the streets; He will not break the bruised reed, nor extinguish the smoldering wick; He will bring forth justice with integrity; He will not falter nor become weary until He establishes justice on the earth, and the islands will put their hope in His law, or as the LXX translates: and in His name shall the nations hope. The redemptive actions of the Lord Jesus Christ, who serves as the heavenly Instructor of humanity, reveal that the Spirit of God rested upon Him, while He Himself descended in the form of a dove. Without any outward grandeur, displaying profound humility and gentleness, He is the Herald of the gospel. He did not seek the accolades of others (John 5:41), nor did He pursue a multitude of apathetic listeners, nor did He perform signs for the wicked generation (Matthew 12:39) to showcase His divine power; instead, He used it to bring healing to the afflicted wherever He found faith (Matthew 8:13; 9:22, etc.). His voice was rarely raised amid the persecutions instigated by His adversaries; He gently restrained His followers, who wanted to bring down fire from heaven upon the Samaritans who rejected Him, wearied from their journey (Luke 9:52-55). While He occasionally expressed disappointment towards the ungrateful, His words were steeped in profound compassion (John 10:32; 18:23). According to the holy Apostle, He did not retaliate against those who reviled Him nor respond harshly to those who suffered (1 Pet. 2:23). His words remained most fervent where He discerned a willingness to accept the message of salvation; the divine Healer reached out with His restorative words to those burdened in spirit, unafraid of the criticisms from the Pharisees, who condemned His disciples for their association with tax collectors and sinners (Matt. 9:11). Compassionate and merciful towards those weary under the burden of sin, He invites them to find rest in Him: Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest; take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:28-29). This gentle and humble Teacher of revealed truth perseveres steadfastly in His great mission (John 4:34; 17:4)! Despite humanity's preference for darkness over light (John 3:19), their unyielding acceptance of the light of truth, along with their wicked plots and brutal persecutions, could not prevent the redemptive work of the divine Maestro. Ultimately, the malevolent attempted in vain to rise against Him, daring to inflict upon Him bodily death; yet He shone forth as a beacon of light, unvanquished by corruption or the madness of His foes; for death was vanquished, and, as fitting for the Divine, He resurrected and triumphed over His adversaries, and His suffering became the very essence of salvation for all of heaven. In this passage from the prophet Isaiah, as in other scriptures (Gen. 49:10; Is. 11:10), the Messiah is referred to as the expectation and hope of the nations; the righteous Simeon also greeted the infant Jesus with light in the proclamation of the Lord (Luke 2:32). The Spirit of God Himself, who spoke through Isaiah, identifies in the prophesied Servant of God, Jesus Christ. The renown of the Savior's miracles drew many to Him, but He instructed them not to speak of the extraordinary healings He performed. In this context, the Evangelist Matthew notes that the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled (Matt. 12:17-21)."}]}
Support this project and get full access for only 4$/month
Commentarie text can’t be scrolled on PC at the moment. Please use your phone. We’re working on a fix.
