Matthew 12:18

12:18 “Here is ¹  my servant whom I have chosen,

the one I love, in whom I take great delight. ² 

I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

Isaiah 42:1

The Lord Commissions His Special Servant

42:1 ³ “Here is my servant whom I support,

my chosen one in whom I take pleasure.

I have placed my spirit on him;

he will make just decrees ⁴  for the nations. ⁵ 

Isaiah 42:21

42:21 The Lord wanted to exhibit his justice

by magnifying his law and displaying it. ⁶ 

John 15:9-10

15:9 “Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain ⁷  in my love. 15:10 If you obey ⁸  my commandments, you will remain ⁹  in my love, just as I have obeyed ¹⁰  my Father’s commandments and remain ¹¹  in his love.

[12:18]  ¹ tn Grk “Behold my servant.”

[12:18]  ² tn Grk “in whom my soul is well pleased.”

[42:1]  ³ sn Verses 1-7 contain the first of Isaiah’s “servant songs,” which describe the ministry of a special, ideal servant who accomplishes God’s purposes for Israel and the nations. This song depicts the servant as a just king who brings justice to the earth and relief for the oppressed. The other songs appear in 49:1-13; 50:4-11; and 52:13-53:12.

[42:1]  ⁴ tn Heb “he will bring out justice” (cf. ASV, NASB, NRSV).

[42:1]  ⁵ sn Like the ideal king portrayed in Isa 11:1-9, the servant is energized by the divine spirit and establishes justice on the earth.

[42:21]  ⁶ tn Heb “The Lord was pleased for the sake of his righteousness [or “justice”], he was magnifying [the] law and was making [it] glorious.” The Lord contrasts his good intentions for the people with their present crisis (v. 22). To demonstrate his just character and attract the nations, the Lord wanted to showcase his law among and through Israel (Deut 4:5-8). But Israel disobeyed (v. 24) and failed to carry out their commission.

[15:9]  ⁷ tn Or “reside.”

[15:10]  ⁸ tn Or “keep.”

[15:10]  ⁹ tn Or “reside.”

[15:10]  ¹⁰ tn Or “kept.”

[15:10]  ¹¹ tn Or “reside.”