ACC ~ Matthew 12 v20 - 21

IN HIS NAME WILL THE GENTILES HOPE

HILARY: But even amid this desire to keep silent about himself, the purpose of Jesus’ words was fulfilled through Isaiah. About his prophecy I now give you the following important reminder: Jesus was loved by God and was pleasing in his Father’s will. The Spirit of God was upon him. Judgment was made known to the Gentiles by him. The reed that was crushed was not broken, and the smoking wick was not extinguished. This means that the frail, shaken bodies of the Gentiles were not worn out but rather preserved to salvation. The meager flame only smoking now on the wick was not extinguished. The spirit of Israel was not removed from the rest of the ancient story of grace. The capability of restoring all the light exists in the time of repentance. But that was appointed within the statutes of a fixed time, “till he brings justice to victory.” When the power of death was removed, he would bring judgment at the return of his splendor to the Gentiles who would believe in his name through faith. ON MATTHEW 12.10. [1]

[1] SC 254:276.

HE BORE WITH THEM PATIENTLY

THEODORE OF HERACLEA: He did not eagerly contend with the folly of the rulers, nor did he scream and provoke them to anger against himself. Rather, with gentleness Jesus withdrew slowly so that he might not, in confuting them, cause them to be destroyed while they were still weak in soul like “a bruised reed” or like “smoking flax,” that is, very close to being snuffed out. He bore with them patiently, so as not to reduce them to utter oblivion on account of their weakness, until he had fulfilled the purpose of his dispensation, that is, to bring judgment to a full end. By this dispensation all the nations would come to believe. FRAGMENT 85. [1]

[1] MKGK 80.

THE SMOLDERING WICK

JEROME: The one who does not stretch out a hand to a sinner and does not carry a brother’s load breaks the crushed reed. And the one who despises the small spark of faith in children extinguishes the smoking wick. Christ did neither of these. He came for this purpose: to save those who were perishing. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 2.12.20. [1]

[1] CCL 77:91.

HE WILL NOT BREAK A CRUSHED REED

CHRYSOSTOM: And showing both his strength and their weakness, Jesus said, “He will not break a crushed reed.” [1] For in fact it was easy enough for God to break them all to pieces like a reed, and not just any reed but one already crushed. “And he will not quench a smoldering wick.” [2] By this he points to their anger that had been kindled and his might that is able to put down their anger and to quench it easily. By this is signified his great mildness.

What then? Shall these things always be? And will Christ endure perpetually those who form such frantic plots against him? Far from it. When he has performed his saving action, then he shall also execute its corresponding purposes. Isaiah declared this by saying both that “he shall bring forth justice to victory” [3] and “in his name shall the Gentiles trust.” [4] Paul similarly instructed us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” [5]

But what is meant by “he shall bring forth justice to victory”? [6] When Christ has completely fulfilled his own part, then, we are told, he will also bring down upon unbelievers his final judgment, when he has left them no contradicting arguments, however shameless, when they will then believe in his wondrous glory. For he knows how to say that justice is a judgment. But his dispensation will not be confined merely to the punishment of unbelievers. He will also proceed to win to himself the nations of the world, so he added, “and in his name will the Gentiles hope.” [7] Then, to inform us that this too is proceeding according to the purpose of the Father from the beginning, the prophet has given us this assurance together with what he has just said: “this is my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased.” [8] For it was very clear that the beloved committed these actions according to the purpose of the one who loved him. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 40.2. [9]

[1] Is 42:3a LXX.

[2] Is 42:3b LXX.

[3] Is 42:3c LXX.

[4] Is 42:4b LXX.

[5] 2 Cor 10:6.

[6] Is 42:3c LXX.

[7] Mt 12:21.

[8] Mt 12:18.

[9] PG 57:441; NPNF 1 10:260-61**. God’s saving action will at the same time bring judgment upon unbelievers and offer opportunity for all the nations to believe.