Matthew 12:14-21

The gospel of Matthew teaches that Jesus fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah: "My servant will not quarrel or cry out, he will not snuff out the smoldering wick. All the nations will put their hope in him."

The gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophetic writings of ancient Israel. In Isaiah 42:1-4 the prophet reports that the LORD will put his Spirit upon a chosen servant, who will bring justice to the nations. For centuries Jewish readers have understood this passage to refer to Israel, to the people chosen for a covenant relationship with God, who are to establish justice on the earth for all peoples. But the author of the gospel of Matthew understands this passage to refer to Jesus, who is celebrated by the church as the Christ, the promised Messiah of God.

In the gospel of Matthew it is the Gentiles, not the nations, who will put their hope in this servant of God even though in the book of Isaiah the phrase used is the nations. It seems that the author of the gospel of Matthew wanted to emphasis the inclusion of the Gentiles as well as the fulfillment of ancient Israelite prophecy. Although the gospel of Matthew seems to be written for a largely Jewish Christian community, it is Greek-speaking and at home in Roman society. So, the Gentiles, too, the gospel of Matthew proclaims, will find justice and hope in Jesus the Christ.

Grace and peace...Bob