Jesus not only declares God’s righteous judgment to all nations (Matthew 12:18), but will also bring it to victory
(Matthew 12:20b): the ESV’s correct translation of eis nikos in Matthew 12:20. The breakthrough of God’s justice brings a new order: the kingdom of heaven. That is why the nations hope in Jesus’ name. He bore injustice for the sake of God’s justice, and so can bring God’s judgment that establishes true justice on the earth. Yet this hope is also for Israel, where Jesus worked, and in Isaiah 42:1–4 the prophet probably actually had Israel in view—but Matthew cites this passage to show that as the Servant of the Lord brings salvation even to the Gentiles, so much more does he bring salvation also to Israel (Romans 11:25–27).
Jesus will not only proclaim the judgment of righteousness to all nations (Matthew 12:18) but he will also bring it to reality (Matthew 12:20b). The phrase eis nikos is rightly translated by the ESV in Matthew 12:20 as to victory.
The breakthrough of God’s justice establishes a lasting new order—the kingdom of heaven. That is why the nations place their hope for the future in the name of Jesus. He bore misunderstanding and disappointment for the sake of God’s justice, and therefore he is qualified to bring about God’s judgment that establishes true justice on the earth. The hunted deer of Galilee will become the conquering lion for the nations.1
Yet this hope is not for the Gentiles alone. Jesus carried out his earthly ministry in Israel’s midst, and in Isaiah 42:1–4 the prophet himself probably actually specifically had Israel in view. The evangelist Matthew, however, cites this passage precisely to show that the Servant of the Lord brings salvation even to the Gentiles (Romans 11:25–27). How much more, then, does he bring salvation also to Israel. Israel’s great sin lies in still rejecting him despite this.2
21 Et les nations espéreront en son nom.