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Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

Matthew 12:20

A bruised reed

(καλαμον συντετριμμενον). Perfect passive participle of συντριβω. A crushed reed he will not break. The curious augment in κατεαξε (future active indicative) is to be noted. The copyists kept the augment where it did not belong in this verb (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1212) even in Plato. "Smoking flax" (λινον τυφομενον). The wick of a lamp, smoking and flickering and going out. Only here in N.T. Flax in Exodus 9:31. Vivid images that picture Jesus in the same strain as his own great words in Matthew 11:28-30.

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See also Matthew 12:20 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Matthew 12:20. _A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK_] A _reed_ is, in Scripture, the emblem of _weakness_, Ezekiel 29:6; and a _bruised_ reed must signify that state of weakness that borders on di...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    This account is found also in Mark 3:6. Matthew 12:14 THE PHARISEES ... HELD A COUNCIL ... - Mark adds that the Herodians also took a part in this plot. They were probably a “political” party attache...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    9. THE REJECTION CONSUMMATED AND THE BROKEN RELATIONSHIP. CHAPTER 12 1. The Hungry Disciples and the Accusing Pharisees. (Matthew 12:1 .) 2. The Man with the Withered Hand Healed.(Matthew 12:10 .) 3...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    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 publ...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Because Jesus knew this, he withdrew from there: and many followed him and he healed them all; and he strictly enjoined them not to surround him with publicity. All this happened that there might be f...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    CRISIS (Matthew 12:1-50) In Matthew 12:1-50 we read the history of a series of crucial events in the life of Jesus. In every man's life there are decisive moments, times and events on which the whole...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    O SMOKING. Greek. _tuphoomai._ Occurs only here. 1 Timothy 3:6; 1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:4. SEND FORTH. bring forth (what was before hidden), as in...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    These verses describe the gentleness and forbearance of Christ. He makes no resistance or loud proclamation like an earthly prince. The bruised reed and the feebly-burning wick may be referred to the...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _till he send forth judgment unto victory_ Until He shall make (1) the Gospel or (2) His judgment victorious....

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἝΩΣ ἊΝ ἘΚΒΆΛΗΙ ΕἸΣ ΝΙ͂ΚΟΣ ΤῊΝ ΚΡΊΣΙΝ, i.e. ‘until he makes his judgment triumph—until he brings it to victory.’ ἐκβάλλειν denotes the impulse of enthusiasm. See ch. Matthew 9:38. For εἰς νῖκος the lit...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    19, 20. These verses describe the gentleness and forbearance of Christ. He makes no resistance or loud proclamation like an earthly prince. The bruised reed and the feebly-burning wick may be referred...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    THE PHARISEES PLOT AGAINST JESUS, WHO RETIRES Mark 3:6-12; Luke 6:11-12...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    Ver 14. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 15. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _THE PHARISEES REJECTED THE SAVIOR MATTHEW 12:1-21_ : The Bible is plain in showing that it is wrong to fail to be as strict as God intents. But, the Bible also shows that it is wrong to be stricter t...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΚΆΛΑΜΟΣ (G2563) тростник, ΣΥΝΤΕΤΡΙΜΜΈΝΟΝ _perf. pass. part. от_ ΣΥΝΤΡΊΒΩ (G4937) ломать, сокрушать. _Perf._ указывает на состояние или условие, ΚΑΤΕΆΞΕΙ _fut. ind. act. от_ ΚΑΤΆΓΝΥΜΙ (G2454) ломать...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 1352 THE COMPASSION OF CHRIST TOWARDS THE WEAK Matthew 12:18. 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...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    AND SMOKING FLAX, &C.— _And a dimly burning taper he will not extinguish, till he render his laws victorious;_ or, _till he hath made justice victorious._ It is said at Matthew 12:18 that he shall tea...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED, &C.— Concerning this prophesy, we refer the reader to the notes on Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 42:25 just observing, that it is not quoted here exactly according to the Hebrew orig...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    SECTION 27 JESUS THE HEALING SERVANT OF JEHOVAH (Parallel: Mark 3:7-12) TEXT: 12:15-21 15. And Jesus perceiving _it_ withdrew from thence: and many followed him; and he healed them all, 16. and...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUENCH, UNTIL HE...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    27 See Joh_3:35; Joh_17:2. 28 It is this God-consciousness, this recognition of His hand in all things, and more especially in that which is opposed to His apparent will, which gives His slaves heart'...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    12:20 forth (c-18) The word is the same here as 'brings forth,' ver. 35, and 'brings out,' ch. 13.52. It signifies 'putting forth' as much as 'bringing forth.' It means that judgment was hid, and 'sh...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    PLUCKING CORN ON THE SABBATH. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST 1-8. Plucking the corn on the sabbath (Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1). This chapter begins the period of active conflict with the Pharisees. It is...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    The BRUISED REED and the SMOKING FLAX (or, rather, 'dimly burning wick') in this connexion are the persons weak in body whom Jesus healed, and those weak in faith, whose faith He strengthened. The ide...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    ANOTHER SABBATH CONTROVERSY. THE MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND (Mark 3:1; Luke 6:6). The sequence is the same in all the evangelists. St. Luke mentions that this took place on another sabbath....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    MATTHEW’S GOOD NEWS MATTHEW’S *GOSPEL _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 12 QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO USE GOD’S REST DAY 12:1-14 Matthew gives two examples of the ‘*yoke’ of the *Jewish law: 1. The *disciples...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK. — The prophet’s words described a character of extremest gentleness. The “bruised reed” is the type of one broken by the weight of sorrow, or care, or sin. Such a on...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    Chapter 10 The Shadow of the Cross - Matthew 11:1; Matthew 12:1 I-DISCOURAGEMENTS. Matthew 11:1 HITHERTO almost everything has been hopeful and encouraging in our Evangelist's record of the Saviour'...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    _Jesus retires; prophetic portraiture of His character_. Matthew 12:15-16 are abridged from Mark 3:7-12, which contains an account of an extensive healing ministry. The sequel of the Sabbatic encounte...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE TESTIMONY OF DEEDS OF MERCY Matthew 12:15-23 A _reed_ is not of much account. You may see hundreds of them encircling a stagnant pond and bending before the breeze. A _bruised reed_ is still more...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This chapter chronicles direct attacks on Christ. The first was petty and foolish. It is on the question of the Sabbath. The Master gives to His people the true conception of the sanctity of the Sabba...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he (d) send forth judgment unto victory. (d) He will pronounce sentence and judgment, in spite of the world and Satan, an...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    The bruised reed. The prophet here shews the mildness of our Saviour, who, though he could have broken them like a reed, and as a bruised reed, yet would not do it; and though he could have easily ext...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    CHAPTER 15 THE FIRST AND SECOND COMING OF CHRIST Matthew 12:15-21. _“And Jesus, knowing, departed thence [i.e., when He ascertained that the Pharisees and Herodians were counseling to kill Him, He de...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    "Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. (15) But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Chapter 8, which opens the portion that comes before us tonight, is a striking illustration as well as proof of the method which God has been pleased to employ in giving us the apostle Matthew's accou...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _THE GENTLENESS OF CHRIST_ ‘Then the Pharisees went out … till He send forth judgment unto victory.’ Matthew 12:14 There are numbers of people who want far less words of reproof than words of sympa...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    20._Till he send out judgment into victory. _The words of the prophet are a little different, _he will bring forth the judgment unto truth. _But the term employed by Matthew is very emphatic, and is i...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    At length the rejection of the nation, in consequence of their contempt of the Lord, is plainly shewn, as well as the cessation of all His relations with them as such, in order to bring out on God's p...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK,.... Various are the thoughts of interpreters, about what is meant by this, and by THE SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUENCH. Some think the Scribes and Pharisees are des...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. Ver. 20. _A bruised reed shall he not break_] A reed shaken with the wind is taken f...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _And charged them that they should not make him known_ Partly that he might avoid the envy and rage of his persecutors, and partly because the time was not yet come for him to declare himself openly t...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    A BRUISED REED; an emblem of persons who are feeble, and crushed with difficulties. NOT BREAK; not oppress or trample them down. SMOKING FLAX; the wick of the ancient lamps. SHALL HE NOT QUENCH; Ch...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUENCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT UNTO VICTORY....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Jesus retires:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    We have seen that Matthew groups events with a dispensational end in view, and chapter 12 shows a building up on Israel's part to a state of utter rejection of their Messiah. The expression "at that t...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    14-21 The Pharisees took counsel to find some accusation, that Jesus might be condemned to death. Aware of their design, as his time was not come, he retired from that place. Face does not more exact...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    He shall carry on his work with so little noise, that if he trod upon a bruised reed he should not break it. Or, he shall not despise the afflicted, that are as bruised reeds and smoking flax. But the...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Matthew 12:20 bruised G4937 (G5772) reed G2563 will G2608 not G3756 break G2608 (G5656) And G2532 smoking...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    “A bruised reed he will he not break, and smoking flax he will not quench.” John was not a reed shaken with the wind (Matthew 11:7), although a slightly bending one (Matthew 11:2), but there would be...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    JESUS IS THE SERVANT OF YHWH AS PROMISED BY ISAIAH (12:15-21). The quotation from Isaiah in this passage is the central point in the chiasmus of this whole section from Matthew 11:1 to Matthew 12:50 ...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    CHRONOLOGY. Mark and Luke place the events of this section just before the _choice of the Twelve_, which occurred during our Lord's retirement. The season of the year may have been April, at which tim...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Matthew 12:20. A BRUISED REED, etc. The reed is a hollow cylinder, so formed that its strength and usefulness are well-nigh lost, if it be bruised. It is also emblematic of feebleness, being easily br...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Jesus announces Himself Lord of Sabbath, Controversy with Pharisees. Healing of the withered hand. A demoniac healed. The unpardonable sin. Death and resurrection foretold. Deficiency of sel...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Matthew 12:2. _Thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath- day._ The pharisees did not find fault with eating a few ears of barley in their hunger, while others enjoyed their fea...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF A BENT REED. The hollow stem of a reed lost its strength when bent. This is symbolic of his kindness to our need. He does not break, but heals. NOR PUT OUT A FLICKERING LAMP. The...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _A bruised reed shall He not break._ THE TENDERNESS OF CHRIST 1. The originality of Christ. It is easy to smile on the strong and prosperous: Christ’s smiles were for the weak. 2. The love of Chris...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet: _ ISAIAH’S DESCRIPTION OF CHRIST I. When our Lord knew that the Pharisees were plotting His destruction, it is saw that he withdrew...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 12:18 MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN, MY BELOVED. The Father expresses this same delight in his Son at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17) and at

  • The Gospels Compared

    LARGE CROWDS FOLLOW JESUS MATTHEW 12:15-21; MARK 3:7-12; MATTHEW 12:15 But when Jesus knew [_it_], he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    1-50 CHAPTER XII. _At that time Jesus went through the corn fields_ (Through the crops of corn becoming white, or ripe), &c. Luke adds that this Sabbath was the first from the second (_Vulg_.); which...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Matthew 12:18. JUDGMENT.—The idea embodied in the prediction is that it would be the aim of the Messiah, as universal Judge, to put all things to rights among all nations. The judicia...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION MATTHEW 12:1 The opposition that our Lord met with (1) from his enemies (Matthew 12:1); (2) from his relations (Matthew 12:46-4

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn to the twelfth chapter of the gospel of Matthew? Jesus was not one to follow traditions. He's already pointed out in the Sermon on the Mount, that through their interpretation of the law...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    2 Corinthians 10:3; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Kings 18:21;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Flax. The Hebrew is, literally, a dimly burning wick he shall not quench (Isaiah 42:3). The quotation stops at the end of the third verse in the prophecy; but the succeeding verse is beautifully sugge...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    A bruised reed — A convinced sinner: one that is bruised with the weight of sin: smoking flax — One that has the least good desire, the faintest spark of grace: till he send forth judgment unto victor...

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Old Testament