Isaiah’s use of the verb quarrel
implies that there would be opposition to Jesus. The Greek word kraugazō (cry aloud
) was used of a dog barking, a raven cawing, a drunkard’s brawl, or the noisy shouting of a theater crowd. The need to cry loudly in the streets (to counter others’ shouts) also implies conflict, but Isaiah suggests this resistance only indirectly, showing instead how the Servant would not answer hostility with loud protest or earthly violence (John 18:36), but would allow his opponents to contradict him. He withdrew from disputes with the Pharisees (John 18:36) and proclaimed truth with gentleness (Matthew 11:29). His humble posture shows how he was prepared to suffer and to die, despite being God’s beloved.
The verb quarrel,
cited from Isaiah in Matthew 12:19, implies that there would be opposition to Jesus. Likewise, the need to cry loudly in the streets (to counter the shouts of others) also suggests conflict. Yet Isaiah speaks of this resistance only indirectly. The emphasis falls instead on the fact that the Servant would not answer hostility with loud protest or combative force. Rather, he would leave room for his opponents, even allowing them to contradict him. His humble posture shows that he was prepared to suffer and to die, despite being the beloved of God.1
The prophecy that the Servant of the Lord would not quarrel or cry aloud corresponds to Jesus’ refusal to engage in disputes with the Pharisees (Matthew 12:15) and his proclamation of truth with gentleness (cf. Matthew 11:29). The Greek word kraugazō (cry aloud
) was used, for example, of a dog barking, a raven cawing, a drunkard’s brawl, or the noisy shouting of a theater crowd.2
Ultimately, Matthew 12:19 speaks about the manner in which the Messiah will carry out his office. It will not be with force or with noise, as is usually the case with earthly conquerors. For Matthew it is important to show that the work of the Messiah does not proceed in the way people expected it would. They looked for an outward, visible display of power from the Messiah, and it may even have seemed up to this point that this was happening. But that was not the true character of his work. He is gentle, not confronting his opponents with earthly violence (John 18:36).3
18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.