Matthew 12:20

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

A bruised {G4937} reed {G2563} shall he {G2608} not {G3756} break {G2608}, and {G2532} smoking {G5188} flax {G3043} shall he {G4570} not {G3756} quench {G4570}, till {G2193}{G302} he send forth {G1544} judgment {G2920} unto {G1519} victory {G3534}.

he will not snap off a broken reed or snuff out a smoldering wick until he has brought justice through to victory.

A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.

A bruised reed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Commentary

Matthew 12:20 is a powerful verse that beautifully encapsulates the character of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His gentle and compassionate nature. This verse is part of a longer prophecy from the Old Testament, specifically Isaiah 42:3, which Matthew quotes to highlight Jesus' fulfillment of Messianic predictions.

Context

This verse appears immediately after Jesus has healed many people and withdrawn from the Pharisees, who were conspiring against Him (Matthew 12:14). Rather than engaging in public dispute or forceful assertion, Jesus demonstrates a quiet, humble, and compassionate approach to His ministry. Matthew uses this prophecy to explain why Jesus did not strive, cry, or let His voice be heard in the streets (Matthew 12:19), contrasting His gentle leadership with the harshness of the religious authorities. This passage underscores Jesus' role as the humble Servant of the Lord.

Key Themes

  • The Compassion of Christ: The imagery of the "bruised reed" and "smoking flax" speaks to the utmost fragility and weakness. A bruised reed is one easily broken, and smoking flax (or a smoldering wick) is about to go out, representing a life or hope near extinction. Jesus' promise not to break or quench these symbolizes His profound empathy and care for the vulnerable, the hurting, and those on the verge of spiritual or emotional collapse.
  • Hope for the Weakest: This verse offers immense hope to anyone who feels insignificant, broken, or close to giving up. It assures that Jesus does not despise or discard those who are struggling; instead, He cherishes and seeks to restore them. His mission is one of healing and preservation, not destruction. This echoes His invitation to the weary in Matthew 11:28.
  • Gentle but Victorious Justice: The phrase "till he send forth judgment unto victory" clarifies that Jesus' gentleness is not weakness, but a deliberate pathway to ultimate triumph. "Judgment" here refers not to condemnation, but to His righteous rule and justice being established fully. His quiet, compassionate work will ultimately lead to a complete and undeniable victory over sin, suffering, and evil, culminating in His global reign (Revelation 19:11).

Linguistic Insights

The imagery is drawn from common ancient life. A "bruised reed" (Greek: kalamos syntetrimmenon) refers to a broken stalk, perhaps a weak plant or a broken musical pipe, signifying extreme fragility. "Smoking flax" (Greek: linon typhomenon) describes a wick that is merely smoldering, producing smoke but no flame, indicating a light that is nearly extinguished. Both metaphors powerfully convey a state of near-total defeat or despair. Jesus' refusal to "break" or "quench" these implies a commitment to nurturing and restoring even the faintest glimmer of life or hope, demonstrating His patience and grace.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 12:20 serves as a profound comfort and a model for ministry. It reminds us that Jesus understands our weaknesses and struggles, offering grace and strength rather than condemnation when we are at our lowest. We are encouraged to bring our brokenness to Him, trusting in His restorative power. Furthermore, this verse challenges us to emulate Christ's compassion, extending patience, mercy, and support to those who are fragile, hurting, or spiritually struggling, rather than adding to their burdens.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Ezekiel 34:16

    I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up [that which was] broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

  • Isaiah 61:1

    ¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

  • Isaiah 61:3

    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

  • Luke 4:18

    The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

  • Lamentations 3:31

    For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
← Back