Matthew 12:14-21 Comments added by Matthew

This content is being developed.

The discourse and ideas presented by Jesus in Matthew 11 were started in the previous chapter, Matthew 10.

2023-05-01: Matthew 11:1-6: Trapped by an offensive misinterpretation of Jesus
2023-04-24: Matthew 11:6: Idiomatic misinterpretations that offend
2024-09-27: Matthew 11:7-9 Shaken in the wind
2024-09-27: Matthew 11:10 Prepare the way
2024-09-27: Matthew 11:11 Unborn of women
2023-06-12: Matthew 11:12-14 Exploring the Kingdom of Heaven
2023-06-26:Matthew 11:15-19 A pipe dream in the market place
Matthew 11:20-30 Upgraded baby yokes revealed

More: Matthew

Matthew 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. [kjv]

εξελθοντες δε οι φαρισαιοι συμβουλιον ελαβον κατ αυτου οπως αυτον απολεσωσιν [gnt]

How did Matthew know that there was a council against Jesus? Did Matthew have inside information? Was Matthew at that council?

Matthew will go on to add his own comments about what is happening.

Matthew 12:14

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KJV: Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Greek: οι εξελθοντες δε οι φαρισαιοι συμβουλιον ελαβον κατ αυτου εξελθοντες οπως αυτον απολεσωσιν

Matthew 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; [kjv]

ο δε ιησους γνους ανεχωρησεν εκειθεν και ηκολουθησαν αυτω πολλοι και εθεραπευσεν αυτους παντας [gnt]

The English ward "great" has many meanings. The Greek here is that of "many" where the word for "crowd" or "multitudes" is inferred and added.

The ancient Greek word "πολύ" ≈ "many" as in the English prefix "poly" as in "polynomial", "polygamy", etc.

The Greek word translated as "great" is that of "many". The TR (Textus Receptus) adds "multitudes" or "crowds".

Matthew 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; [kjv]

ο δε ιησους γνους ανεχωρησεν εκειθεν και ηκολουθησαν αυτω πολλοι και εθεραπευσεν αυτους παντας [gnt]

How did Jesus know this?
How did Matthew know that Jesus knew this?

The ancient Greek word "ἀναχωρέω" ≈ "go back, withdraw, retreat".

Matthew 12:15

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KJV: But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

Greek: ο δε ιησους γνους ανεχωρησεν εκειθεν και ηκολουθησαν αυτω οχλοι πολλοι και εθεραπευσεν αυτους παντας

Latin: Iesus autem sciens recessit inde et secuti sunt eum multi et curavit eos omnes

Wessex: Se haelend soðlice Note: MS. sodlice. þaet wiste & ferde þanon. & hym fylgde mycele maenigeo. & he helde hyo ealle.

*G2008 *29 ἐπιτιμάω (ep-ee-tee-mah'-o) : from G1909 and G5091; to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish; by implication, forbid:--(straitly) charge, rebuke.

Words: επετιμα επετιμησαν επετιμησεν=14 επετιμων=4 επιτιμαν=2 επιτιμησαι επιτιμησας επιτιμησον=3 επιτιμων=2

The ancient Greek word "ἐπιτιμάω" ≈ "show honor to, raise in price, object to one (as blamable)". In the GNT (Greek New Testament), this word is usually translated as "rebuke" unless Jesus in talking in which case it is often translated as "charge" is an "warn".

It is not clear how the meaning in the GNT was decided as decisions appear to conflict with the meanings of the Greek word.

*G2008 *29 ἐπιτιμάω (ep-ee-tee-mah'-o) : from G1909 and G5091; to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish; by implication, forbid:--(straitly) charge, rebuke.

Usage

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επετιμησεν *14

Matthew 8:26 ... O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; ...
Matthew 12:16 And charged them that they should not ...
Matthew 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he ...
Matthew 20:31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: ...
Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, ...
Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said ...
Mark 8:30 And he charged them that they should tell no man ...
Mark 8:33 ... looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee ...
Mark 9:25 ... that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, ...
Luke 4:35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, ...
Luke 4:39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left ...
Luke 8:24 ... we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging ...
Luke 9:42 ... tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, ...
Luke 9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, ...

επετιμων *4

Mark 10:13 ... them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
Mark 10:48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: ...
Luke 18:15 ... but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
Luke 18:39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold ...

επιτιμησον *3

Luke 17:3 ... trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if ...
Luke 19:39 ... unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
2 Timothy 4:2 ... in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all ...

επιτιμαν *2

Matthew 16:22 ... took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far ...
Mark 8:32 ... took him, and began to rebuke him.

επιτιμων *2

Luke 4:41 ... the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not ...
Luke 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost ...

επετιμησαν

Matthew 19:13 ... pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

επετιμα

Mark 3:12 And he straitly charged them that ...

επιτιμησας

Luke 9:21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

επιτιμησαι

Jude 1:9 ... but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Matthew 12:16 And charged them that they should not make him known: [kjv]

και επετιμησεν αυτοις ινα μη φανερον αυτον ποιησωσιν [gnt]

The Greek word translated as "known" is that of "apparent".

Many try to make deep theological points about what Jesus did and why he did it.

Consider the negation. Discuss:

When we do good works, are we to tell those to whom the good works have been done to go out and tell everyone what we have done?
How does this change if we say nothing, but know that the person will go and tell everyone?
Are we to play reverse psychology and try to anticipate what others will do?

Matthew 12:16

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KJV: And charged them that they should not make him known:

Greek: και επετιμησεν αυτοις ινα μη φανερον αυτον ποιησωσιν

Matthew 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, [kjv]

ινα πληρωθη το ρηθεν δια ησαιου του προφητου λεγοντος [gnt]

Matthew now adds some verses from Isaiah as connecting verses. One should not be biased by what Matthew writes. Instead, one should study the rest of the verses of what Jesus actually says and does and then decide if the verses from Matthew are appropriate. That is, do not force-fit what Matthew conjectures into what has happened and will happen.

Matthew 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, [kjv]

ινα πληρωθη το ρηθεν δια ησαιου του προφητου λεγοντος [gnt]

Matthew adds his own analysis of what has happened. One should ignore what Matthew said. Study the verses to which he refers. Then, decide if Matthew has an accurate perception of what has happened.

What Matthew writes and records that Jesus said is inspired.
One can assume that Matthew's own personal analysis is inspired. One can also assume that Matthew may not fully understand everything that was said or that has happened.

Matthew 12:17

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KJV: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

Greek: οπως ινα πληρωθη το ρηθεν δια ησαιου του προφητου λεγοντος

Isaiah 41:27 The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings. [kjv]

41:28 For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word. [kjv]

41:29 Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion. [kjv]

For context, here are the three verses before the parts somewhat quoted by Matthew.

Isaiah 41:27

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KJV: The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.

Hebrew: ראשון לציון הנה הנם ולירושלם מבשר אתן׃

Greek: αρχην σιων δωσω και ιερουσαλημ παρακαλεσω εις οδον

Isaiah 41:28

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KJV: For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.

Hebrew: וארא ואין איש ומאלה ואין יועץ ואשאלם וישיבו דבר׃

Greek: απο γαρ των εθνων ιδου ουδεις και απο των ειδωλων αυτων ουκ ην ο αναγγελλων και εαν ερωτησω αυτους ποθεν εστε ου μη αποκριθωσιν μοι

Isaiah 41:29

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KJV: Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.

Hebrew: הן כלם און אפס מעשיהם רוח ותהו נסכיהם׃

Greek: εισιν γαρ οι ποιουντες υμας και ματην οι πλανωντες υμας

Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. [kjv]

ιακωβ ο παις μου αντιλημψομαι αυτου ισραηλ ο εκλεκτος μου προσεδεξατο αυτον η ψυχη μου εδωκα το πνευμα μου επ αυτον κρισιν τοις εθνεσιν εξοισει [lxx]

Jacob is my servant, I will help him: Israel is my chosen, my soul has accepted him; I have put my Spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles. [bs3]

Isaiah 42:1

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KJV: Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Hebrew: הן עבדי אתמך בו בחירי רצתה נפשי נתתי רוחי עליו משפט לגוים יוציא׃

Greek: ιακωβ ο παις μου αντιλημψομαι αυτου ισραηλ ο εκλεκτος μου προσεδεξατο αυτον η ψυχη μου εδωκα το πνευμα μου επ αυτον κρισιν τοις εθνεσιν εξοισει

Brenton: Jacob is my servant, I will help him: Israel is my chosen, my soul has accepted him; I have put my Spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 42:2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. [kjv]

ου κεκραξεται ουδε ανησει ουδε ακουσθησεται εξω η φωνη αυτου [lxx]

He shall not cry, nor lift up his voice, nor shall his voice be heard without. [bs3]

Isaiah 42:2

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KJV: He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

Hebrew: לא יצעק ולא ישא ולא ישמיע בחוץ קולו׃

Greek: ου κεκραξεται ουδε ανησει ουδε ακουσθησεται εξω η φωνη αυτου

Brenton: He shall not cry, nor lift up his voice, nor shall his voice be heard without.

Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. [kjv]

καλαμον τεθλασμενον ου συντριψει και λινον καπνιζομενον ου σβεσει αλλα εις αληθειαν εξοισει κρισιν [lxx]

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench; but he shall bring forth judgement to truth. [bs3]

Isaiah 42:3

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KJV: A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Hebrew: קנה רצוץ לא ישבור ופשתה כהה לא יכבנה לאמת יוציא משפט׃

Greek: καλαμον τεθλασμενον ου συντριψει και λινον καπνιζομενον ου σβεσει αλλα εις αληθειαν εξοισει κρισιν

Brenton: A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench; but he shall bring forth judgement to truth.

Isaiah 42:4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. [kjv]

αναλαμψει και ου θραυσθησεται εως αν θη επι της γης κρισιν και επι τω ονοματι αυτου εθνη ελπιουσιν [lxx]

He shall shine out, and shall not be discouraged, until he have set judgement on the earth: and in his name shall the Gentiles trust. [bs3]

Isaiah 42:4

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KJV: He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

Hebrew: לא יכהה ולא ירוץ עד ישים בארץ משפט ולתורתו איים ייחילו׃

Greek: αναλαμψει και ου θραυσθησεται εως αν θη επι της γης κρισιν και επι τω ονοματι αυτου εθνη ελπιουσιν

Brenton: He shall shine out, and shall not be discouraged, until he have set judgement on the earth: and in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Isaiah 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: [kjv]

ουτως λεγει κυριος ο θεος ο ποιησας τον ουρανον και πηξας αυτον ο στερεωσας την γην και τα εν αυτη και διδους πνοην τω λαω τω επ αυτης και πνευμα τοις πατουσιν αυτην [lxx]

Thus says the Lord God, who made the heaven, and established it; who settled the earth, and the things in it, and gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to them that tread on it: [bs3]

For context, this is the verse after the parts somewhat quoted by Matthew.

Isaiah 42:5

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KJV: Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

Hebrew: כה אמר האל יהוה בורא השמים ונוטיהם רקע הארץ וצאצאיה נתן נשמה לעם עליה ורוח להלכים בה׃

Greek: ουτως λεγει κυριος ο θεος ο ποιησας τον ουρανον και πηξας αυτον ο στερεωσας την γην και τα εν αυτη και διδους πνοην τω λαω τω επ αυτης και πνευμα τοις πατουσιν αυτην

Brenton: Thus says the Lord God, who made the heaven, and established it; who settled the earth, and the things in it, and gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to them that tread on it:

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 shew judgment to the Gentiles. [kjv]

ιδου ο παις μου ον ηρετισα ο αγαπητος μου ον ευδοκησεν η ψυχη μου θησω το πνευμα μου επ αυτον και κρισιν τοις εθνεσιν απαγγελει [gnt]

Matthew 12:18

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KJV: 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 shew judgment to the Gentiles.

Greek: ιδου ο παις μου ον ηρετισα ο αγαπητος μου εις ον ευδοκησεν η ψυχη μου θησω το πνευμα μου επ αυτον και κρισιν τοις εθνεσιν απαγγελει

An eristic argument, or line of reasoning, is that of a debate where the focus is on refuting an argument rather than searching for the truth.

This definition of "eristic" goes back to Aristotle and is discussed in his works "Prior analytics" and "Sophistical refutations" (and referenced from his other works).

Paul uses this word often in writing to Greek audiences. The KJV (King James Version) translates this word as "strife" whose modern meaning may not capture the original meaning.

More: Eristic reasoning creates strife and contention

Matthew 12:19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. [kjv]

ουκ ερισει ουδε κραυγασει ουδε ακουσει τις εν ταις πλατειαις την φωνην αυτου [gnt]

Does this prophecy of Isaiah fit Jesus?

Did Jesus go through the streets crying out and/or use eristic arguments? How might this verse reflect on "street preachers"? Discuss.

Matthew 12:19

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KJV: He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

Greek: ουκ ερισει ουδε κραυγασει ουδε ακουσει τις εν ταις πλατειαις την φωνην αυτου

Latin: non contendet neque clamabit neque audiet aliquis in plateis vocem eius

Wessex: Ne flït he. ne he ne hrimð ne nan man ne gehyrð hys stemne on straeten.

Wycliffe: He shal not stryue, ne crye, nethir ony man shal here his voice in stretis.

Tyndale: He shall not stryve he shall not crye nether shall eny man heare his voyce in ye streetes

Luther: Er wird nicht zanken noch schreien, und man wird sein Geschrei nicht hören auf den Gassen.

Slavonic: не преречет, ни возопиет, ниже услышит кто на распутиих гласа Его:

Russian: не воспрекословит, не возопиет, и никто не услышит на улицах голоса Его;

Matthew 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. [kjv]

καλαμον συντετριμμενον ου κατεαξει και λινον τυφομενον ου σβεσει εως αν εκβαλη εις νικος την κρισιν [gnt]

This verses uses the sense of "extinguishable" as in, for example, "not quenched".

More: Unquenchable fire

Matthew 12:20

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KJV: A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Greek: καλαμον συντετριμμενον ου κατεαξει και λινον τυφομενον ου σβεσει εως αν εκβαλη εις νικος την κρισιν

*G1679 *31 ἐλπίζω (el-pid'-zo) : from G1680 ἐλπίς; to expect or confide:--(have, thing) hope(-d) (for), trust.

*G1680 *53 ἐλπίς (el-pece') : from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence:--faith, hope.

Words: ελπιδα=18 ελπιδι=12 ελπιδος=13 ελπιζει=3 ελπιζετε ελπιζομεν ελπιζομενων ελπιζουσαι ελπιζω=10 ελπιζων=2 ελπιουσιν=2 ελπις=10 ελπισατε ηλπιζεν ηλπιζομεν ηλπικαμεν=2 ηλπικατε ηλπικεν ηλπικεναι ηλπικοτες ηλπισαμεν

The ancient Greek word "ἐλπίς" ≈ "expectation, well-founded belief".

More: In God we hope: All others pay cash

Matthew 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. [kjv]

και τω ονοματι αυτου εθνη ελπιουσιν [gnt]

The word "hope" is used by Matthew as connecting commentary from the book of Isaiah.

The Latin word "spero" ≈ "hope, expect" and is the source of the last part of the English word "desparate".

More: In God we hope: All others pay cash

Matthew 12:21

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KJV: And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Greek: και εν τω ονοματι αυτου εθνη ελπιουσιν

Latin: et in nomine eius gentes sperabunt

Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. [kjv]

12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: [kjv]

12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? [kjv]

12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. [kjv]

12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. [kjv]

More: Matthew 12:22-28 Kingdoms divided against themselves