Matthew 12 17

Matthew 12:17 kjv

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

Matthew 12:17 nkjv

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

Matthew 12:17 niv

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

Matthew 12:17 esv

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

Matthew 12:17 nlt

This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 17 Meaning

This verse acts as a pivotal transition, stating that Jesus' actions immediately preceding it – His withdrawal from hostile religious leaders and His quiet, pervasive healing ministry coupled with a command for discretion – were not coincidental. Instead, these actions directly fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah centuries earlier, establishing that His ministry was precisely aligned with God’s predetermined divine plan.

Matthew 12 17 Context

Matthew 12:17 is embedded within a series of confrontations between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees, regarding the observance of the Sabbath and His divine authority. Preceding this verse, Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath (vv. 9-13), provoking the Pharisees to plot His destruction (v. 14). In response, Jesus strategically withdrew (v. 15), yet continued His ministry by healing all who came to Him, strictly charging them not to make Him known (v. 16). Verse 17 then explains these actions, specifically the withdrawal and the command for silence, as a direct fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy (which continues into vv. 18-21). This situates Jesus' seemingly subdued or understated actions not as a sign of weakness or fear, but as integral parts of His Messianic identity and the preordained plan of God, contrasting with the visible power and confrontation expected by many.

Matthew 12 17 Word analysis

• that it might be fulfilled (ὅπως πληρωθῇ - hopōs plērōthē): This is a key phrase in Matthew's Gospel, appearing repeatedly to link events in Jesus' life to Old Testament prophecies. The word hopōs signifies purpose or result, indicating that these events occurred so that or in order that the prophecy would be brought to completion. Plērōthē means "to be fulfilled" or "to be brought to its intended completeness." The passive voice underscores that divine agency is at work; it is God's will and plan being accomplished through Jesus' actions. This emphasizes God's sovereign control over history and revelation.
• which was spoken (τὸ ῥηθὲν - to rhēthen): Derived from legō ("to say, speak"), rhēthen indicates something specifically and verbally uttered. It emphasizes that this was a divine pronouncement made through the prophet, giving it authoritative weight.
• by (διὰ - dia): Here dia means "through" or "by means of," identifying Isaiah as the instrument through whom God's message was conveyed. It acknowledges the human channel but points to the divine source.
• Esaias the prophet (Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου - Ēsaiou tou prophētou): Esaias is the Greek transliteration for the Hebrew prophet Isaiah, a major prophet revered for his extensive prophecies concerning the coming Messiah. Matthew often cites Isaiah, particularly passages referring to the "Servant of the Lord" (as in Isa 42:1-4, quoted in Matt 12:18-21). Labeling him "the prophet" highlights his divine commission as God's spokesperson.
• saying (λέγοντος - legontos): This present participle indicates that what follows is a direct quotation of the prophet's words, drawing the reader immediately into the specifics of the ancient text being fulfilled.

Words-group analysis:

• "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet": This entire phrase encapsulates Matthew's core theological argument that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, precisely because His life and ministry perfectly align with the long-awaited promises of the Old Testament. It signals to the reader the divine origin and interpretive key for understanding Jesus' actions, especially those that might seem counter-intuitive to common Messianic expectations.

Matthew 12 17 Bonus section

Matthew's literary motif of "fulfillment" (hina plērōthē or kai eplērōthē) is not always a strict, one-to-one predictive prophecy, but often a deeper theological connection or a demonstration that Jesus embodies the divine pattern revealed in the Old Testament. In Matthew 12:17, the emphasis is on how Jesus' actions of humility and quiet power perfectly embody the spirit and character of Isaiah's Suffering Servant, fulfilling not just words, but the very nature of God's redemptive plan for His chosen one. This draws heavily on the Isaianic Servant Songs (Isa 42:1-4, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13–53:12), which present a Messiah who saves through quiet suffering and justice rather than through overt displays of political might. Matthew aims to redefine Messianic expectation through a thoroughly biblical, Christocentric lens.

Matthew 12 17 Commentary

Matthew 12:17 acts as Matthew's interpretive lens for understanding Jesus' conduct in the preceding verses. The evangelist is not merely recounting history but demonstrating theological truth: Jesus' withdrawal from His enemies and His command for secrecy regarding His healing powers were neither accidental nor indicative of weakness. Rather, they were deliberate acts divinely ordained and prophetically announced by Isaiah. This servant-like, un-ostentatious demeanor, emphasizing gentle compassion rather than political showmanship, aligns with Isaiah's portrait of God's chosen Servant, who does not cry out in the streets but patiently brings justice and healing. This contrasts sharply with the popular Jewish expectation of a Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and openly declare His sovereignty. By highlighting the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, Matthew underscores Jesus' authentic Messianic identity and provides a polemic against the Pharisees' superficial understanding of God's redemptive plan.