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Isaiah 42 · a question people ask

Why does Matthew give these words where Jesus tells the crowds not to make him known?

In the text

Matthew tells it in this order. The Pharisees "went out and conspired against him, how they might destroy him" (Matthew 12:14). "Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all" (Matthew 12:15), "and commanded them that they should not make him known" (Matthew 12:16), "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying" (Matthew 12:17). Among the words he gives is "He will not strive, nor shout, neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets" (Matthew 12:19), where Isaiah has "He will not shout, nor raise his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street" (42:2). Matthew gives no other reason in these verses, and these notes add none.

The verses

“He will not shout, nor raise his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street.”
Isaiah 42:2 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Isaiah 42

Isaiah 42: Behold, my servant

Matthew gives Isaiah 42:1-4 of Jesus, who withdrew, healed the crowds and told them not to make him known (Matthew 12:15-17). The servant won't break a bruised reed (42:3), and in Hebrew 42:4's "He will not fail nor be discouraged" has the bruised reed's verb and the verb Strong's gives behind the dim wick. And justice comes three times in four verses.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions