Matthew 12:15-21

Matthew 12:15-21
Narrative Lectionary 115

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15 When JesusA became awareB of this, he departed.C

Notes on verse 15a

A “Jesus” = Iesous. From Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua, the Lord is salvation); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel; the self-existent and eternal one); {from havah (to become) or from hayah (to come to pass, become, be)} + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone)}. This is Jesus or Joshua in Greek – the Lord saves or the Lord is salvation.
B “became aware” = ginosko. This is to know, recognize, realize, perceive, learn. It is knowledge gained through personal experience.
C “departed” = anachoreo. 14x in NT. From ana (up, again, back, among, anew) + choreo (to make space, receive, have room for, progress, depart so as to make room; figuratively, living open-heartedly); {from choros (a particular space or place); from chora (space, land, region, fields, open area); from chasma (gap, gulf, chasm, open space); from chasko (to gape, yawn)}.  This is to withdraw, depart, retire, or leave. It can give a sense of seeking safety from harm or of retiring.

ManyD, E followedF him, and he curedG all of them, 

Notes on verse 15b

D {untranslated} = ochlos. Perhaps from echo (to have, hold, possess). This is a crowd, the common people, a rabble. Figuratively, it can refer to a riot.
E “many” = polus. This is much, often, plenteous – a large number or a great extent.
F “followed” = akoloutheo. From a (with, fellowship, union) + keleuthos (road, way). This is to accompany or follow someone, especially the way a disciple does.
G “cured” = therapeuo. From therapon (servant, attendant, minister); perhaps from theros (properly heat and so used for summer); from thero (to heat). This is to serve, care, attend, heal, or cure. Since it means to attend to, it can be used for doctors, but also for those who serve God. So, it can mean worship. This is where the word “therapy” comes from.

16 and he orderedH them not to makeI him known.J 

Notes on verse 16

H “ordered” = epitimao. From epi (on, upon, against, what is fitting) + timao (properly, this is setting a value or price on something, to estimate. Figuratively, it speaks to what level of honor we afford someone or something depending on our personal feeling toward it. By implication, this can mean to revere or honor); {from time (worth or perceived value; literally, price, but figuratively, the honor or value one sees in someone or something; can be esteem or dignity; can also mean precious or valuables); from tino (to pay, be punished, pay a penalty or fine because of a crime); from tio (to pay respect, value)}. This is to render what is due – to assign the value that is appropriate for the situation. So, it could mean to honor or to warn, to rebuke or to charge. Generally, it is a warning meant to guide someone away from doing something wrong or taking the wrong path. It can imply to forbid.
I “make” = poieo. This is to make, do, act, construct, abide, or cause.
J “known” = phaneros. 18x in NT. From phos (light, a source of light, fire, or radiance; light with specific reference to what it reveals; luminousness whether natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative); from phao (to shine or make visible, especially with rays of light); from the same as phaino (to bring light, cause to appear, shine, become visible or clear). This is visible, apparent, clear, shining.

17 This was to fulfillK what had been spoken through the prophetL Isaiah:M

18 “HereN is my servant,O whom I have chosen,P

Notes on verses 17-18a

K “fulfill” = pleroo. From pleres (to be full, complete, abounding in, occupied with). This is to fill, make full or complete. Properly, this is filling something up to the maximum extent that it can be filled – an appropriate amount for its individual capacity. So, this is used figuratively for furnish, influence, satisfy, finish, preach, perfect, and fulfill.
L “prophet” = prophetes. Related to “known” in v16. From pro (before, in front of, earlier than) + phemi (to declare, say, use contrasts in speaking to shed light on one point of view); {from phao (see note J above) or phaino (see note J above)}. This is a prophet or poet – one who speaks with inspiration from God.
M “Isaiah” = Esaias. Related to “Jesus” in v15. From Hebrew Yeshayahu (Isaiah, “salvation of the Lord”); {from yasha (see note A above) + Yah (the shortened form of the name of the God of Israel; God, Lord); {from YHVH (see note A above)}. This is Isaiah, meaning “salvation of the Lord.”
N “here” = idou. From eido (to be aware, see, know, remember, appreciate). This is see! Lo! Behold! Look! Used to express surprise and or draw attention to the statement.
O “servant” = pais. Perhaps from paio (to strike or sting). This is child, youth, servant, or slave.
P “chosen” = hairetizo. 1x in NT. From haireo (to take, choose, or prefer); probably related to airo (raise, take up, lift, remove). This is to choose or select.

    my beloved,Q with whom my soulR is well pleased.S

Notes on verse 18b

Q “beloved” = agapetos. From agape (love, goodwill, benevolence; God’s divine love); from agapao (to love, take pleasure in, esteem; to prefer). This is Beloved or very dear one. It is a title for the Messiah, but also for Christians. Properly, this is one who personally experiences God’s love.
R “soul” = psuche. From psucho (to breathe, blow). This is breath, the breath of life, the self, individual, soul. This is the word for that which makes a person unique – their identity, will, personality, affections. This isn’t the soul as the immortal part of us, but as our individuality. It is also not life as a general concept, but specific to people. This is where the words psyche and psychology come from.
S “is well pleased” = eudokeo. From eu (good, well, well done) + dokeo (to have an opinion, seem, appear, suppose; a personal judgment; to think); from dokos (opinion). This is to think well of, to be pleased or resolved. Properly, this is what someone finds good or acceptable – approving of some action or generally thinking well of.

I will putT my SpiritU upon him,
    and he will proclaimV justiceW to the gentiles.X

Notes on verse 18c

T “put” = tithemi. This is to put, place, set, fix, establish in a literal or figurative sense. Properly, it is placing something in a passive or horizontal position.
U “Spirit” = Pneuma. From pneo (to blow, breathe, breathe hard). This is wind, breath, or ghost. A breeze or a blast or air, a breath. Figuratively used for a spirit, the human soul or part of us that is rational. It is also used supernaturally for angels, demons, God, and the Holy Spirit. This is where pneumonia comes from.
V “proclaim” = apaggello. From apo (from, away from) + aggello (to announce, report); {from aggelos (angel, messenger); probably from ago (to lead, bring, carry, guide, drive)}. This is to report, declare, bring word. It is an announcement that emphasizes the source.
W “justice” = krisis. From krino (to judge, decide, think good, condemn, determine, pass judgment, stand trial, sue; judging whether in court or in a private setting; properly, mentally separating or distinguishing an issue – to come to a choice or decision, to judge positively or negatively in seeking what is right or wrong, who is innocent or guilty; can imply trying, condemning, punishing, or avenging). This is a judging or a sentence. It is often used of God’s judgment, but can also be any accusation or condemnation. This is where the word “crisis” comes from.
X “gentiles” = ethnos. Probably from etho (a custom or culture). This is people who are united by having similar customs or culture. Generally, it is used to refer to Gentiles. This is a tribe, race, nation, or Gentiles in general. This is where the term “ethnicity” comes from.

19 He will not wrangleY or cry aloud,Z
    nor will anyone hearAA his voiceBB in the streets.CC

Notes on verse 19

Y “wrangle” = erizo. 1x in NT. From eris (strife, quarreling, wrangling; figuratively, debate or one who likes to dispute). This is to strive, contend, or confront.
Z “cry aloud” = kraugazo. 9x in NT. From krauge (a very emotional shout or cry generally or clamor against someone else; a cry of alarm, trouble, or grief); from krazo (to cry out, scream, shriek; onomatopoeia for the sound of a raven’s call; figuratively, this is means crying out urgently without intelligible words to express something that is deeply felt). This is to cry, shout, clamor. It is a screaming or shrieking that is often impossible to understand exact words in. It is sound expressing feeling/urgency. Properly, this refers to loud animal sounds.
AA “hear” = akouo. This is hear or listen, but it also means to understand by hearing. This is where the word “acoustics” comes from.
BB “voice” = phone. Related to “known” in v16 & “prophet” in v17. Probably from phemi (see note L above). This is a voice, sound, tone or noise. It can also be a language or dialect.
CC “streets” = plateia. 9x in NT. From platus (wide, spread flat, broad); perhaps from plasso (to form, mold; to create like a potter shapes clay). This is a street or some kind of broad place like a public square.

20 He will not breakDD a bruisedEE reedFF
    or quenchGG a smolderingHH wickII

Notes on verse 20a

DD “break” = katagnumi. 4x in NT. From kata (down, against, throughout, among)) + rhegnumi (to break, burst, wreak, crack, break apart). This is to crush or beak in pieces.
EE “bruised” = suntribo. 8x in NT. From sun (with, together with) + the same as tribos (worn track or path like a rut that is formed from rubbing i.e. steady use; also road or highway); {from tribo (to rub or thresh)}. This is break in pieces, bruise, shatter, or crush completely.
FF “reed” = kalamos. 12x in NT. This is a reed, whether the plant itself or a stem that is like the reed. It can also imply a staff, pen, or measuring rod.
GG “quench” = sbennumi. 8x in NT. This is to quench or extinguish in a literal or figurative sense. It can also mean suppress.
HH “smoldering” = tupho. 1x in NT. This is to make smoke or smolder.
II “wick” = linon. 2x in NT. This is flax, which can imply linen, which, in turn, can mean wick.

until he bringsJJ justice to victory.KK
21     And in his nameLL the gentiles will hope.”MM

Notes on verses 20b-21

JJ “brings” = ekballo. From ek (from, from out of) + ballo (to throw, cast, place, put, drop). This is to throw, put out, produce, expel, banish. It is eject in a literal or figurative sense.
KK “victory” = nikos. 4x in NT. From nike (victory, conquest; figurative for what makes one successful). This is victory, triumph – especially a conquest.
LL “name” = onoma. Related to “became aware” in v15. May be from ginosko (see note B above). This is a name, authority, cause, character, fame, reputation. The name was thought to include something of the essence of the person so it was not thought to be separate from the person.
MM “hope” = elpizo. From elpis (expectation, hope, trust, confidence, faith; expectation whether abstract or concrete); from elpo (to anticipate, welcome, expect; usually to anticipate positively); from elpomai (to anticipate, expect). This is to expect, trust, hope for, or to wait in an active way.


Image credit: “St. Joseph Bakhita” from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC. Photo by Lawrence OP, 2018.

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