Matthew 12:15-21

Miracles of Healing (Mark 3:7 *, Luke 6:17). Mt. first condenses five verses of Mk. into one (the compression makes Jesus heal all who followed Him), and, fixing attention on Jesus-' avoidance of publicity (Matthew 8:4 *), expands one verse of Mk. into six by a quotation (Isaiah 42:1) from his handbook of Messianic testimonies (Matthew 1:22 *). This identification of the Servant of Yahweh with the Messiah (as portrayed e.g. in Isaiah 11) is found in the Targum. The preaching of judgment (Matthew 12:18) and hope (Matthew 12:21) to the Gentiles was not part of Jesus-' work as He conceived it (cf. Matthew 15:24, Matthew 28:19). Matthew 12:19 is the link with the narrative Jesus avoids strife with the Pharisees by going away, and advertisement by His prohibition. With Matthew 12:20; cf. Matthew 11:30; the crushed reed and the smouldering wick are those who are morally all but powerless. unto victory: Habakkuk 1:4 (mg.) has here influenced Mt.'s quotation; it is essential for him to predict the triumph of the Messianic characteristics he has ascribed to Jesus.