20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.
20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;
20 He won't walk over anyone's feelings, won't push you into a corner. Before you know it, his justice will triumph;
20 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory;
20 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 12:20
Commentary on Matthew 12:14-21
(Read Matthew 12:14-21)
The Pharisees took counsel to find some accusation, that Jesus might be condemned to death. Aware of their design, as his time was not come, he retired from that place. Face does not more exactly answer to face in water, than the character of Christ drawn by the prophet, to his temper and conduct as described by the evangelists. Let us with cheerful confidence commit our souls to so kind and faithful a Friend. Far from breaking, he will strengthen the bruised reed; far from quenching the smoking flax, or wick nearly out, he will rather blow it up into a flame. Let us lay aside contentious and angry debates; let us receive one another as Christ receives us. And while encouraged by the gracious kindness of our Lord, we should pray that his Spirit may rest upon us, and make us able to copy his example.