Matthew concluded the two accounts of the Pharisees' conflict with Jesus over Sabbath observance. He did so with a summary of His ministry that shows He fulfilled messianic prophecy. Jesus' tranquillity and gentleness in this pericope contrast with the Pharisees' hatred in the former one.
12:15-17 Jesus withdrew when opposition became intense before His time to go to the cross had arrived (cf. 4:12; 14:13; 15:21).
"This is the pattern of His ministry until His final and open rejection in chapters twenty-one to twenty-seven--opposition, withdrawal, and continued ministry."499
He had instructed His disciples to follow a similar procedure (10:11-14, 23-24). He withdrew specifically to avoid open conflict with the Pharisees.500His extensive ministry continued (cf. 4:23; 8:16; 9:35) as did His encouragements to those He healed to keep quiet about what had happened to them but with no greater cooperation (cf. 8:4; 9:30). His conduct fulfilled Scripture.
12:18-21 Matthew recently selected material that presented Jesus as the Son of God, the Son of David, and God Himself. Now he pointed out again that Jesus' conduct proved Him to be the prophesied Suffering Servant of the Lord. The citation is from Isaiah 42:1-4. This is the longest Old Testament quotation in the first Gospel.
The Greek word paistranslated "servant"can also mean "son."However the Hebrew word that it translates means "servant."Matthew recorded "whom I have chosen"rather than "whom I uphold"in Isaiah 42:1 evidently to stress God's election and love of Jesus (cf. 3:16-17; 17:5). Jesus performed His miracles with the power of the Spirit whom the Father had poured out upon Him. These miracles extended even to Gentiles. Note the presence of the Trinity in this Old Testament passage.
Isaiah predicted that Messiah would minister with gentleness and humility (v. 19). He would not present Himself arrogantly or brashly. He would be very compassionate (v. 20). He would not advance His own program by stepping on others. He would bring salvation finally to the harassed and helpless (9:36) as well as to the weary and burdened (11:28) without crushing the weak.501This concept of Messiah was much more gentle than the one Jesus' contemporaries held. They expected Him to crush all opposition. He would, however, bring justice to pass. In Matthew "justice"(Gr. krisis) means fast approaching judgment, not just justice as opposed to injustice.502Justice in the kingdom is in view. Consequently the Gentiles would put their trust in Him (v. 21).
"In the face of rejection by the nation of Israel Matthew, by Messianic prophecies, prepares his Jewish reader for the proclamation of a universal Savior."503
This Old Testament quotation helps the reader see how many of the characteristics of Jesus and His ministry that Matthew has presented fit the pattern of messianic prophecy. It also sets the stage for other things that Matthew recorded that demonstrated Jesus' messiahship.
