Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 12:19
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
19, 20. These verses describe the gentleness and forbearance of Christ. He makes no resistance or loud proclamation like an earthly prince. The bruised reed and the feebly-burning wick may be referred to the failing lives which Jesus restores and the sparks of faith which He revives.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 19. He shall not strive, nor cry] The spirit of Christ is not a spirit of contention, murmuring, clamour, or litigiousness. He who loves these does not belong to him. Christ therefore fulfilled a prophecy by withdrawing from this place, on account of the rage of the Pharisees.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
These words declare the meekness, and gentleness, and modesty of our blessed Saviour. His meekness, that he should not do his work in any passion or roughness, nor carry on his kingdom with any strife or violence. Therefore when the Pharisees took counsel against him, he made no opposition, but peaceably withdrew, until the time came when he was to be delivered; and then he as meekly yielded up himself, rebuking Peter for but drawing a sword for him, and healing his ear which he had wounded. His not crying, nor lifting up his voice, or suffering his voice to be heard in the streets, might either signify his meekness, not crying out to stir up any sedition; or not setting a trumpet to his mouth, when he had wrought a miracle, that people might take notice of it; instead of it he charged the persons healed not to publish it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19. He shall not strive nor cry;neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He shall not strive,…. Or contend in a wrangling way, as the disputers of this world do about words to no profit, and for the sake of victory only, and popular applause, but shall choose rather to withdraw, than to carry on a controversy to a great length, to little purpose; or, as men litigate a point in a court of judicature, where one is plaintiff, and the other defendant. In the Hebrew text it is, “he shall not cry”; he shall not act the part of a plaintiff; he shall not complain, or bring in any charge, or accusation against any, but choose rather to suffer wrong, than to contend: thus signifies such a cry, as is a complaint of injustice, Isa 5:7 and a plaintiff, one that brings an action against another l: but Christ did not so, he would not accuse to the Father, nor complain against his most implacable enemies, but left that to Moses, in whom they trusted; “nor cry”, or, as in the Hebrew text, lift up; that is, his voice, in a clamorous way, using reviling and opprobrious language, or menaces and threatenings; but, on the contrary, he silently put up all abuses, and patiently bore every affront, and behaved peaceably, quietly, committing himself and cause to a righteous God.
Neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets; or, as in the Hebrew text, “nor cause his voice to be heard in the street”: the sense is the same, and the meaning is, that he sought not worldly honour, popular applause, and to be seen of men; he did nothing in an ostentatious way, said nothing in his own commendation, was never heard to praise himself, and chose that others should be silent concerning him: for this does not so much regard the lowness of his voice, as if that was not so sonorous as to be heard without doors, when he preached within, as his modest mein and suitable deportment; nor the places where he usually ministered, which was sometimes in the street, as well as in an house, or on a mountain, or by the sea side, or in the temple, and the synagogues. The Ethiopic version here is very wrong, “no man shall hear his voice in the synagogues”; for his voice was often heard there.
l Vid. Cocc. Heb. Lex. in rad. .
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
1) “He shall not strive, nor cry;” (ouk erisel oude kraugasei) “He will not shout or strive,” resort to ostentatious publicity, as a motivation of people to receive and follow Him, like political parties did.
2) “Neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. (oude akousei tis en tais plateiais ten phonen autou) “Nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.” He was not a street-crier or street-preacher, lest He be identified either with the hypocrite-Pharisees and Sadducees or with politics and civil affairs. He was not an ostentatious, rabble rouser, an emotional excitement-motivating teacher or preacher. That is, He did not resort to the sensational to get crowds, nor would He have His church do so. He did not even one time go to the market places to buttonhole a crowd or get their attention like the Pharisees and Sadducees did, Mat 6:2; Mat 6:5.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
19. He will not strive The general meaning is, that the coming of Christ will not be attended by noise, will have nothing of royal splendor and magnificence. He presently adds, that this will turn to the advantage of men, by inducing them to love that mildness which the world everywhere despises. And certainly it is an astonishing display of the folly of men, that their sentiments with regard to Christ are less respectful, because he mildly and voluntarily accommodates himself to their capacity. Were Christ to appear in his glory, what else could be expected, but that it would altogether swallow us up? What wickedness then is it to be less willing to receive him, when on our account he descends from his elevation?
That the gentleness of Christ may awaken reverence in believers, Isaiah reminds them how advantageous, and even how necessary that gentleness must be. Each of us is conscious of his own weakness; and therefore we ought to consider of what importance it is that Christ should treat us with kindness. I speak not of unbelievers, who are entirely destitute of all the graces of the Spirit; but with respect to those whom God has already called, are they not like a half-broken reed and a smoking lamp, till God kindle them to full brightness, and supply them with perfect strength? When Christ is thus pleased to condescend to our weakness, let his unspeakable goodness be embraced by us with joy. Meanwhile, let none flatter himself in his vices, but let each of us labor to make greater proficiency, that we may not be tossed about (Eph 4:14) through our whole life, or bend, like reeds, to the slightest gale. Let us grow to the stature of perfect men, that we may remain firm against the diversified attacks of Satan, that our faith may not only emit slight sparks encompassed by thick smoke, but may send out bright rays.
The example of Christ instructs all his ministers in what manner they ought to conduct themselves. But as there are some who falsely and absurdly maintain that mildness ought to be exercised indiscriminately towards all, we must attend to the distinction which the prophet expressly makes between weak and wicked persons. Those who are too stubborn need to have their hardness beaten violently with a hammer; and those who endeavor to spread darkness in every direction, or who act as torches to kindle conflagrations, must have their smoke dispelled and their flame extinguished. While the faithful ministers of the Word ought to endeavor to spare the weak, and thus to cherish and increase that portion of the grace of God, however small, which they possess, they must also exercise prudent caution, lest they encourage the obstinate malice of those who have no resemblance to the smoking lamp or bruised reed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(19) He shall not strive, nor cry.The words point to the pervading calmness which had impressed itself upon the mind of the Evangelist, and which stood out in marked contrast to the wrangling of Jewish scribes, the violence of Roman officers, yet more, it may be, to that of false prophets and leaders of revolt, such as Judas of Galilee had been. St. Matthew had probably known something of each of those types of character, and felt how different that of the Christ was from all of them.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
19. He shall not strive Here the peaceful character of the Saviour is set in beautiful contrast with the greatness of his deeds. Though he rule the nations with his law, he shall be peaceful and noiseless. His victories shall be the victories of peace. The rulers of Christendom have sometimes spread Christianity by the sword; but that was in express contradiction both to the personal character of Christ and to the precepts and principles of his Gospel. Strive To strive is to fight. Our Lord at this time retreated from publicity to avoid all contest or strife. Nor cry He shall raise no battle cry. Voice in the streets Rallying his partisans to the riot and the sedition.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“He will not strive, nor cry aloud, nor will any one hear his voice in the streets.”
His ministry will be neither strident nor publicity seeking. Not for Him the standing on street corners of Mat 6:5, or the sitting in the streets mocking of Mat 11:17, or the seeking of fame through His miracles (Mat 8:4; Mat 9:30; Mat 12:16). Nor will He strive with those whose hearts are hardened (Mat 10:13-14; Mat 11:20-24; Mat 12:15; Mat 15:21). Rather He will be meek and lowly in heart (Mat 11:29).
This was in contrast with earthly rulers, who are renowned for their bluster (compare Mat 20:25), and was in contrast with how most people would have seen the Messiah, although we must remember that there were those who saw Him as coming as a great Teacher. Matthew wants it to be clear that Jesus is not on earth to stir up unnecessary trouble Mat 21:5), even though His presence will necessarily cause dissension (Mat 10:21-22; Mat 10:35-36).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Mat 12:19-20 . Contrast to the conduct of the Jewish teachers. He will not wrangle nor cry (Lobeck, ad Phryn. p. 337), and so on.
The bruised reed and smoking wick represent those who are spiritually miserable and helpless (Mat 11:5 ), whom Christ does not reduce to utter hoplessness and despair, but (Mat 11:28 ) to whom He rather gives comfort, and whose moral life He revives and strengthens. And seeing that Mat 12:17 refers to Mat 12:16 , they cannot be taken to represent the sick , whom Jesus heals (Hengstenberg). For those figures, comp. Isa 36:6 ; Isa 58:6 ; Isa 43:17 .
. . .] until He shall have led forth to victory the judgment announced by Him, i.e. until He shall have finally accomplished it at the last day. For with this holding of the assize is associated the subjection to it of every hostile power. The final holding of it is the victory of the judgment.
In , forced out , is implied the idea of violent effort, overcoming the resistance offered. The words, however, do not correspond to the , Isa 42:3 , but to the , Mat 12:4 , as is evident from , and from the words , etc., which follow. But this is a very free quotation made from memory, with which, however, the expression in Mat 12:3 ( ) is at the same time blended.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
Ver. 19. He shall not strive ] To bear away the bell from others.
Nor cry ] “Nor lift up his voice,” saith the prophet, as loth to lie hidden, and therefore making an “O yes,” as desirous of vain glory and popular applause. Laudes nec curat nec quaerit humanas. He despiseth it as a little stinking breath, or the slavering of men’s lips which he disdains to suck in.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
strive = contend. Greek. erizo. Occurs only here.
Cry = make outcry or clamour.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mat 12:19. , His voice) sc. from the house. This example of the lowliness and meekness of Jesus aptly precedes the manifestation of His severity in Mat 12:34; thus also He wept when about to enter Jerusalem, and then expelled them that bought and sold from the temple.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Mat 11:29, Zec 9:9, Luk 17:20, Joh 18:36-38, 2Co 10:1, 2Ti 2:24, 2Ti 2:25
Reciprocal: Jos 6:10 – any noise with your voice Psa 35:20 – quiet Psa 45:4 – meekness Mat 6:3 – let Mat 21:5 – meek Mar 9:9 – he charged Joh 2:2 – both Joh 12:21 – we would
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2:19
Strive is from ERIZO which Thayer defines, “To wrangle, engage in strife.” Cry is from KRAUGAZO and defined, “To cry out, cry aloud.” It means that Jesus was not to be a noisy, loud-mouthed person. His voice was not to be heard in the streets; he was not to be an ordinary “street preacher.”
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 12:19. He shall not strive, nor cry, etc. Not a combatant nor a noisy declaimer in public places, but meek and retiring. (Those who refer judgment to the gospel, take this verse as descriptive of the means by which it was to be extended.) There is also a contrast with victory in Mat 12:20. He presents Himself as Judge and yet is meek; He is meek, does not strive, and yet shall be victor. The lessons are obvious.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 19
During the whole of our Savior’s ministry, we observe the most constant efforts to allay the popular excitement, and to avoid every scene which could lead to tumult or commotion. On the occasion on which this passage is quoted, he had retreated from a threatened disturbance (Matthew 12:15) to the solitudes of the mountains, to teach quietly there those who were disposed to come to him.