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Selected Verse: Matthew 12:14 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Mt 12:14	Strong Concordance	Then [1161] the Pharisees [5330] went out [1831], and held [2983] a council [4824] against [2596] him [846], how [3704] they might destroy [622] him [846].
	King James	Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him--This is the first explicit mention of their murderous designs against our Lord. Luke (Luk 6:11) says, they were filled with madness, and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus." But their doubt was not, whether to get rid of Him, but how to compass it. Mark (Mar 3:6), as usual, is more definite: "The Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him." These Herodians were supporters of Herod's dynasty, created by CÃ&brvbr;sar--a political rather than religious party. The Pharisees regarded them as untrue to their religion and country. But here we see them combining together against Christ as a common enemy. So on a subsequent occasion (Mat 22:15-16). Jesus Retires to Avoid Danger (Mat 12:15-21).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him--This is the first explicit mention of their murderous designs against our Lord. Luke (Luk 6:11) says, they were filled with madness, and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus." But their doubt was not, whether to get rid of Him, but how to compass it. Mark (Mar 3:6), as usual, is more definite: "The Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him." These Herodians were supporters of Herod's dynasty, created by CÃ&brvbr;sar--a political rather than religious party. The Pharisees regarded them as untrue to their religion and country. But here we see them combining together against Christ as a common enemy. So on a subsequent occasion (Mat 22:15-16).

Jesus Retires to Avoid Danger (Mat 12:15-21).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
This account is found also in Mar 3:6-12. Mat 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 attached firmly to Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, tetrarch of Galilee. He was the same man who had imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist, and to whom the Saviour, when arraigned, was sent by Pilate. See the notes at Luk 3:1. He was under Roman authority, and was a strong advocate of Roman power. All the friends of the family of Herod were opposed to Christ, and ever ready to join any plot against his life. They remembered, doubtless, the attempts of Herod the Great against him when he was the babe of Bethlehem, and they were stung with the memory of the escape of Jesus from his bloody hands. The attempt against him now, on the part of the Pharisees, was the effect of "envy." They hated his popularity, they were losing their influence, and they therefore resolved to take him out of the way. Mat 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself ... - He knew of the plot which they had formed against his life; but his hour was not yet come, and he therefore sought security. By remaining, his presence would only have provoked them further and endangered his own life. He acted, therefore, the part of prudence and withdrew. Compare the notes at Mat 10:23. Mark adds that he withdrew "to the sea;" that is, to the Sea of Galilee. or Tiberias. He states also Mat 3:7-8 that "a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard what great things he did, came unto him." As some of these places were without the limits of Judea or inhabited by "Gentiles," this statement of Mark throws light on the passage quoted by Matthew Mat 12:21, "In his name shall the Gentiles trust." Pressed by the crowd Mar 3:9, Jesus went aboard a "small vessel," or "boat," called by Mark a "ship." This he did for the convenience of being separated from them and more easily addressing them. We are to suppose the lake still and calm; the multitudes, most of whom were sick and diseased, on the shore and pressing to the water's edge; and Jesus thus healing their diseases, and preaching to them the good news of salvation. No scene could be more sublime than this. Mat 12:16 And he charged them ... - He was "at this time" desirous of concealment. He wished to avoid their plots and to save his life. Mat 12:17 That it might be fulfilled ... - Matthew here quotes a passage from Isa 42:1-4, to show the "reason why he thus retired from his enemies and sought concealment." The Jews, and the disciples also at first, expected that the Messiah would be a conqueror, and vindicate himself from all his enemies. When they saw him retiring before them, and, instead of subduing them by force, seeking a place of concealment, it was contrary to all their previous notions of the Messiah. Matthew by this quotation shows that "their" conceptions of him had been wrong. Instead of a warrior and an earthly conqueror, he was "predicted" under a totally different character. Instead of shouting for battle, lifting up his voice in the streets, oppressing the feeble - "breaking bruised reeds and quenching smoking flax, as a conqueror" - he would be peaceful, retiring; would strengthen the feeble, and would cherish the faintest desires of holiness. This appears to be the general meaning of this quotation here. Compare the notes at Isa 42:1-4. Mat 12:18 My servant - That is, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus; called a servant from his taking the "form" of a "servant," or his being born in a humble condition Phi 2:7, and from his obeying or "serving" God. See Heb 10:9. Shall show judgment to the Gentiles - The word "judgment" means, in the Hebrew, law, "commands, etc.," Psa 19:9; Psa 119:29-30. It means the "whole system of truth;" the law of God in general; the purpose, plan, or "judgment" of God about human duty and conduct. Here it means, evidently, the system of "gospel truth," the Christian scheme. Gentiles - All who were not Jews. This prophecy was fulfilled by the multitudes coming to him from Idumea and beyond Jordan, and from Tyre and Sidon, as recorded by Mar 3:7-8. Mat 12:19 He shall not strive ... - He shall not shout as a warrior. He shall be meek, retiring, and peaceful. Streets were places of concourse. The meaning is, that he should not seek publicity and popularity. Mat 12:20 A bruised reed ... - The reed is an emblem of feebleness, as well as of fickleness or want of stability, Mat 11:7. A bruised, broken reed is an emblem of the poor and oppressed. It means that he would not oppress the feeble and poor, as victorious warriors and conquerors did. It is also an expressive emblem of the soul broken and contrite on account of sin; weeping and mourning for transgression. He will not break it; that is, he will not be severe, unforgiving, and cruel. He will heal it, pardon it, and give it strength. Smoking flax - This refers to the wick of a lamp when the oil is exhausted - the dying, flickering flame and smoke that hang over it. It is an emblem, also, of feebleness and infirmity. He would not further oppress those who had a little strength; he would not put out hope and life when it seemed to be almost extinct. He would not be like the Pharisees, proud and overbearing, and trampling down the poor. It is expressive, also, of the languishing graces of the people of God. He will not treat them harshly or unkindly, but will cherish the feeble flame, minister the "oil" of grace, and kindle it into a blaze. Till he send forth judgment unto victory - "Judgment" here means truth - the truth of God, the gospel. It shall be victorious - it shall not be vanquished. Though the Messiah is not "such" a conqueror as the Jews expected, yet he "shall" conquer. Though mild and retiring, yet he will be victorious. Mat 12:21 And in his name ... - The Hebrew in Isaiah is, "And the isles shall wait for his law." The idea is, however, the same. The "isles" denote the Gentiles, or a part of the Gentiles - those out of Judea. The meaning is, that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, and that they should receive it. See the notes at Isa 41:1 for an explanation of the word "islands," as it is used in the Bible.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

This account is found also in Mar 3:6-12.

Mat 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 attached firmly to Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, tetrarch of Galilee. He was the same man who had imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist, and to whom the Saviour, when arraigned, was sent by Pilate. See the notes at Luk 3:1. He was under Roman authority, and was a strong advocate of Roman power. All the friends of the family of Herod were opposed to Christ, and ever ready to join any plot against his life. They remembered, doubtless, the attempts of Herod the Great against him when he was the babe of Bethlehem, and they were stung with the memory of the escape of Jesus from his bloody hands. The attempt against him now, on the part of the Pharisees, was the effect of "envy." They hated his popularity, they were losing their influence, and they therefore resolved to take him out of the way.

Mat 12:15

But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself ... - He knew of the plot which they had formed against his life; but his hour was not yet come, and he therefore sought security.

By remaining, his presence would only have provoked them further and endangered his own life. He acted, therefore, the part of prudence and withdrew. Compare the notes at Mat 10:23.

Mark adds that he withdrew "to the sea;" that is, to the Sea of Galilee. or Tiberias. He states also Mat 3:7-8 that "a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard what great things he did, came unto him." As some of these places were without the limits of Judea or inhabited by "Gentiles," this statement of Mark throws light on the passage quoted by Matthew Mat 12:21, "In his name shall the Gentiles trust."

Pressed by the crowd Mar 3:9, Jesus went aboard a "small vessel," or "boat," called by Mark a "ship." This he did for the convenience of being separated from them and more easily addressing them. We are to suppose the lake still and calm; the multitudes, most of whom were sick and diseased, on the shore and pressing to the water's edge; and Jesus thus healing their diseases, and preaching to them the good news of salvation. No scene could be more sublime than this.

Mat 12:16

And he charged them ... - He was "at this time" desirous of concealment.

He wished to avoid their plots and to save his life.

Mat 12:17

That it might be fulfilled ... - Matthew here quotes a passage from Isa 42:1-4, to show the "reason why he thus retired from his enemies and sought concealment." The Jews, and the disciples also at first, expected that the Messiah would be a conqueror, and vindicate himself from all his enemies. When they saw him retiring before them, and, instead of subduing them by force, seeking a place of concealment, it was contrary to all their previous notions of the Messiah. Matthew by this quotation shows that "their" conceptions of him had been wrong. Instead of a warrior and an earthly conqueror, he was "predicted" under a totally different character. Instead of shouting for battle, lifting up his voice in the streets, oppressing the feeble - "breaking bruised reeds and quenching smoking flax, as a conqueror" - he would be peaceful, retiring; would strengthen the feeble, and would cherish the faintest desires of holiness. This appears to be the general meaning of this quotation here. Compare the notes at Isa 42:1-4.

Mat 12:18

My servant - That is, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus; called a servant from his taking the "form" of a "servant," or his being born in a humble condition Phi 2:7, and from his obeying or "serving" God. See Heb 10:9.

Shall show judgment to the Gentiles - The word "judgment" means, in the Hebrew, law, "commands, etc.," Psa 19:9; Psa 119:29-30. It means the "whole system of truth;" the law of God in general; the purpose, plan, or "judgment" of God about human duty and conduct. Here it means, evidently, the system of "gospel truth," the Christian scheme.

Gentiles - All who were not Jews. This prophecy was fulfilled by the multitudes coming to him from Idumea and beyond Jordan, and from Tyre and Sidon, as recorded by Mar 3:7-8.

Mat 12:19

He shall not strive ... - He shall not shout as a warrior.

He shall be meek, retiring, and peaceful. Streets were places of concourse. The meaning is, that he should not seek publicity and popularity.

Mat 12:20

A bruised reed ... - The reed is an emblem of feebleness, as well as of fickleness or want of stability, Mat 11:7. A bruised, broken reed is an emblem of the poor and oppressed. It means that he would not oppress the feeble and poor, as victorious warriors and conquerors did. It is also an expressive emblem of the soul broken and contrite on account of sin; weeping and mourning for transgression. He will not break it; that is, he will not be severe, unforgiving, and cruel. He will heal it, pardon it, and give it strength.

Smoking flax - This refers to the wick of a lamp when the oil is exhausted - the dying, flickering flame and smoke that hang over it. It is an emblem, also, of feebleness and infirmity. He would not further oppress those who had a little strength; he would not put out hope and life when it seemed to be almost extinct. He would not be like the Pharisees, proud and overbearing, and trampling down the poor. It is expressive, also, of the languishing graces of the people of God. He will not treat them harshly or unkindly, but will cherish the feeble flame, minister the "oil" of grace, and kindle it into a blaze.

Till he send forth judgment unto victory - "Judgment" here means truth - the truth of God, the gospel. It shall be victorious - it shall not be vanquished. Though the Messiah is not "such" a conqueror as the Jews expected, yet he "shall" conquer. Though mild and retiring, yet he will be victorious.

Mat 12:21

And in his name ... - The Hebrew in Isaiah is, "And the isles shall wait for his law." The idea is, however, the same.

The "isles" denote the Gentiles, or a part of the Gentiles - those out of Judea. The meaning is, that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, and that they should receive it. See the notes at Isa 41:1 for an explanation of the word "islands," as it is used in the Bible.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Held a council against him - Nothing sooner leads to utter blindness, and hardness of heart, than envy. There are many who abandon themselves to pleasure-taking and debauchery on the Sabbath, who condemn a poor man whom necessity obliges to work on what is termed a holiday, or a national fast.

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¹⁵ But [1161] when Jesus [2424] knew [1097] it, he withdrew himself [402] from thence [1564]: and [2532] great [4183] multitudes [3793] followed [190] him [846], and [2532] he healed [2323] them [846] all [3956];
¹⁶ And [2532] charged [2008] them [846] that [3363] they should [4160] not [3363] make [4160] him [846] known [5318]:
¹⁷ That [3704] it might be fulfilled [4137] which [3588] was spoken [4483] by [1223] Esaias [2268] the prophet [4396], saying [3004],
¹⁸ Behold [2400] my [3450] servant [3816], whom [3739] I have chosen [140]; my [3450] beloved [27], in [1519] whom [3739] my [3450] soul [5590] is well pleased [2106]: I will put [5087] my [3450] spirit [4151] upon [1909] him [846], and [2532] he shall shew [518] judgment [2920] to the Gentiles [1484].
¹⁹ He shall [2051] not [3756] strive [2051], nor [3761] cry [2905]; neither [3761] shall any man [5100] hear [191] his [846] voice [5456] in [1722] the streets [4113].
²⁰ A bruised [4937] reed [2563] shall he [2608] not [3756] break [2608], and [2532] smoking [5188] flax [3043] shall he [4570] not [3756] quench [4570], till [2193] [302] he send forth [1544] judgment [2920] unto [1519] victory [3534].
²¹ And [2532] in [1722] his [846] name [3686] shall [1679] the Gentiles [1484] trust [1679].

¹⁵ Then [5119] went [4198] the Pharisees [5330], and took [2983] counsel [4824] how [3704] they might entangle [3802] him [846] in [1722] his talk [3056].
¹⁶ And [2532] they sent out [649] unto him [846] their [846] disciples [3101] with [3326] the Herodians [2265], saying [3004], Master [1320], we know [1492] that [3754] thou art [1488] true [227], and [2532] teachest [1321] the way [3598] of God [2316] in [1722] truth [225], [2532] neither [3756] carest [3199] thou [4671] for [4012] any [3762] man: for [1063] thou regardest [991] not [1519] [3756] the person [4383] of men [444].

¹¹ And [1161] they [846] were filled [4130] with madness [454]; and [2532] communed [1255] one with another [4314] [240] what [5101] [302] they might do [4160] to Jesus [2424].

¹ Keep silence [02790] before me, O islands [0339]; and let the people [03816] renew [02498] their strength [03581]: let them come near [05066]; then let them speak [01696]: let us come near [07126] together [03162] to judgment [04941].

²¹ And [2532] in [1722] his [846] name [3686] shall [1679] the Gentiles [1484] trust [1679].

⁷ And [1161] as [5130] they departed [4198], Jesus [2424] began [756] to say [3004] unto the multitudes [3793] concerning [4012] John [2491], What [5101] went ye [1831] out into [1519] the wilderness [2048] to see [2300]? A reed [2563] shaken [4531] with [5259] the wind [417]?

²⁰ A bruised [4937] reed [2563] shall he [2608] not [3756] break [2608], and [2532] smoking [5188] flax [3043] shall he [4570] not [3756] quench [4570], till [2193] [302] he send forth [1544] judgment [2920] unto [1519] victory [3534].

¹⁹ He shall [2051] not [3756] strive [2051], nor [3761] cry [2905]; neither [3761] shall any man [5100] hear [191] his [846] voice [5456] in [1722] the streets [4113].

⁷ But [2532] Jesus [2424] withdrew himself [402] with [3326] his [846] disciples [3101] to [4314] the sea [2281]: and [2532] a great [4183] multitude [4128] from [575] Galilee [1056] followed [190] him [846], and [2532] from [575] Judaea [2449],
⁸ And [2532] from [575] Jerusalem [2414], and [2532] from [575] Idumaea [2401], and [2532] from beyond [4008] Jordan [2446]; and [2532] they about [4012] Tyre [5184] and [2532] Sidon [4605], a great [4183] multitude [4128], when they had heard [191] what great things [3745] he did [4160], came [2064] unto [4314] him [846].

²⁹ Remove [05493] from me the way [01870] of lying [08267]: and grant me thy law [08451] graciously [02603].
³⁰ I have chosen [0977] the way [01870] of truth [0530]: thy judgments [04941] have I laid [07737] before me.

⁹ The fear [03374] of the LORD [03068] is clean [02889], enduring [05975] for ever [05703]: the judgments [04941] of the LORD [03068] are true [0571] and righteous [06663] altogether [03162].

⁹ Then [5119] said he [2046], Lo [2400], I come [2240] to do [4160] thy [4675] will [2307], O God [2316]. He taketh away [337] the first [4413], that [2443] he may establish [2476] the second [1208].

⁷ But [235] made [2758] himself [1438] of no reputation [2758], and took upon him [2983] the form [3444] of a servant [1401], and was made [1096] in [1722] the likeness [3667] of men [444]:

¹⁸ Behold [2400] my [3450] servant [3816], whom [3739] I have chosen [140]; my [3450] beloved [27], in [1519] whom [3739] my [3450] soul [5590] is well pleased [2106]: I will put [5087] my [3450] spirit [4151] upon [1909] him [846], and [2532] he shall shew [518] judgment [2920] to the Gentiles [1484].

¹ Behold my servant [05650], whom I uphold [08551]; mine elect [0972], in whom my soul [05315] delighteth [07521]; I have put [05414] my spirit [07307] upon him: he shall bring forth [03318] judgment [04941] to the Gentiles [01471].
² He shall not cry [06817], nor lift up [05375], nor cause his voice [06963] to be heard [08085] in the street [02351].
³ A bruised [07533] reed [07070] shall he not break [07665], and the smoking [03544] flax [06594] shall he not quench [03518]: he shall bring forth [03318] judgment [04941] unto truth [0571].
⁴ He shall not fail [03543] nor be discouraged [07533], till he have set [07760] judgment [04941] in the earth [0776]: and the isles [0339] shall wait [03176] for his law [08451].

¹⁷ That [3704] it might be fulfilled [4137] which [3588] was spoken [4483] by [1223] Esaias [2268] the prophet [4396], saying [3004],

¹⁶ And [2532] charged [2008] them [846] that [3363] they should [4160] not [3363] make [4160] him [846] known [5318]:

⁹ And [2532] he spake [2036] to his [846] disciples [3101], that [2443] a small ship [4142] should wait on [4342] him [846] because [1223] of the multitude [3793], lest [3363] they should throng [2346] him [846].

²¹ And [2532] in [1722] his [846] name [3686] shall [1679] the Gentiles [1484] trust [1679].

⁷ But [1161] when he saw [1492] many [4183] of the Pharisees [5330] and [2532] Sadducees [4523] come [2064] to [1909] his [846] baptism [908], he said [2036] unto them [846], O generation [1081] of vipers [2191], who [5101] hath warned [5263] you [5213] to flee [5343] from [575] the wrath [3709] to come [3195]?
⁸ Bring forth [4160] therefore [3767] fruits [2590] meet [514] for repentance [3341]:

²³ But [1161] when [3752] they persecute [1377] you [5209] in [1722] this [5026] city [4172], flee ye [5343] into [1519] another [243]: for [1063] verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], Ye shall [5055] not [3364] have gone over [5055] the cities [4172] of Israel [2474], till [2193] the Son [5207] of man [444] be [302] come [2064].

¹ Now [1161] in [1722] the fifteenth [4003] year [2094] of the reign [2231] of Tiberius [5086] Caesar [2541], Pontius [4194] Pilate [4091] being governor [2230] of Judaea [2449], and [2532] Herod [2264] being tetrarch [5075] of Galilee [1056], and [1161] his [846] brother [80] Philip [5376] tetrarch [5075] of Ituraea [2484] and [2532] of the region [5561] of Trachonitis [5139], and [2532] Lysanias [3078] the tetrarch [5075] of Abilene [9],

¹⁴ Then [1161] the Pharisees [5330] went out [1831], and held [2983] a council [4824] against [2596] him [846], how [3704] they might destroy [622] him [846].

⁶ And [2532] the Pharisees [5330] went forth [1831], and straightway [2112] took [4160] counsel [4824] with [3326] the Herodians [2265] against [2596] him [846], how [3704] they might destroy [622] him [846].
⁷ But [2532] Jesus [2424] withdrew himself [402] with [3326] his [846] disciples [3101] to [4314] the sea [2281]: and [2532] a great [4183] multitude [4128] from [575] Galilee [1056] followed [190] him [846], and [2532] from [575] Judaea [2449],
⁸ And [2532] from [575] Jerusalem [2414], and [2532] from [575] Idumaea [2401], and [2532] from beyond [4008] Jordan [2446]; and [2532] they about [4012] Tyre [5184] and [2532] Sidon [4605], a great [4183] multitude [4128], when they had heard [191] what great things [3745] he did [4160], came [2064] unto [4314] him [846].
⁹ And [2532] he spake [2036] to his [846] disciples [3101], that [2443] a small ship [4142] should wait on [4342] him [846] because [1223] of the multitude [3793], lest [3363] they should throng [2346] him [846].
¹⁰ For [1063] he had healed [2323] many [4183]; insomuch that [5620] they pressed upon [1968] him [846] for to [2443] touch [680] him [846], as many as [3745] had [2192] plagues [3148].
¹¹ And [2532] unclean [169] spirits [4151], when [3752] they saw [2334] him [846], fell down before [4363] him [846], and [2532] cried [2896], saying [3004], [3754] Thou [4771] art [1488] the Son [5207] of God [2316].
¹² And [2532] he straitly [4183] charged [2008] them [846] that [3363] they should [4160] not [3363] make [4160] him [846] known [5318].