Texts in Conversation
In Matthew, the language of Isaiah 42 is applied to Jesus, similar to an Aramaic tradition found in the Targum of Isaiah where the servant is interpreted as a Messianic figure.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Isaiah 42:1
Hebrew Bible
1 “Here is my servant whom I support, my chosen one in whom I take pleasure. I have placed my Spirit on him; he will make just decrees for the nations. 2 He will not cry out or shout; he will not publicize himself in the streets. 3 A crushed reed he will not break, a dim wick he will not extinguish; he will faithfully make just decrees.
Matthew 12:18
New Testament
17 This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I take great delight. I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not quarrel or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20 He will not break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick, until he brings justice to victory. 21 And in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
Jonathan Isaiah 42:1
Targum
1 Here is my servant, the Messiah, whom I bring near, my chosen in whom one delights; by my Memra I will put my Holy Spirit upon Him, and He will reveal my judgment to the nations. 2 He will not cry aloud, nor raise a clamor, and He will not lift up His voice in the street. 3 The meek, who are like a bruised reed, He will not break; and the poor, who are like a glimmering wick, He will not quench; He will bring forth judgment to truth.
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Notes and References
“... The quotation from Isaiah 42:1-4 in this passage especially looks forward to the conflict in the following narrative: whereas his opponents misinterpret his identity, his empowerment by the Spirit demonstrates that he is the chosen one of Isaiah's prophecy (12:18, 28). Matthew quotes more of the passage than the "Spirit-endowed" or "chosen servant" part, however, to emphasize the lowly character of Jesus' first coming (21:5) and especially the final line, which reinforces Matthew's theme of the Gentile mission (2:1-12; 4:15; 24:24; 28:19): Gentiles will hope in Jesus (12:21; cf. 12:18). In this passage Matthew reads Jesus as Isaiah's "servant of Yahweh." Although Targum Jonathan (fifth century A.D., including earlier material) calls the servant "Messiah" in Isaiah 42:1; 43:10; and 52:13, though applying the suffering sections to Israel (F. F. Bruce 1963: 143n.l; Moore 1971: 2:327; Lourenco 1990; cf. Edgar 1958: 50 for other late references), Judaism in Jesus' day rarely applied the servant passages to the Messiah. After all, in context Isaiah 42:1-4 refers to Israel (44:1, 21; 49:3). But it is not hard to see how Matthew interprets Isaiah 42; despite the skepticism of some of his modern critics, Matthew read the larger context. God's servant Israel failed in its mission (42:18-19), so God chose one person within Israel to restore the rest of his people (49:5-7); this one would bear the punishment (cf. 40:2) rightly due his people (52:13-53:12). ...”
Keener, Craig S.
A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew
(p. 492) William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1999
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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