Matthew 12:18 kjv
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
Matthew 12:18 nkjv
"Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.
Matthew 12:18 niv
"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
Matthew 12:18 esv
"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
Matthew 12:18 nlt
"Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.
He is my Beloved, who pleases me.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
Matthew 12 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 42:1 | "Behold My Servant whom I uphold, My chosen One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles." | Original prophecy about the Servant Messiah. |
| Matt 3:16-17 | "and behold, a voice from heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" | God's declaration at Jesus' baptism, paralleling Isa 42:1. |
| Matt 17:5 | "a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'" | God's affirmation at the Transfiguration. |
| Mark 1:10-11 | "And immediately coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, 'You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" | Jesus' baptism with Spirit descent and divine approval. |
| Luke 3:21-22 | "And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, 'You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.'" | Spirit's anointing and God's pleasure at baptism. |
| Luke 4:18-21 | "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor..." | Jesus affirms His fulfillment of Isa 61:1, empowered by the Spirit. |
| Isa 11:1-2 | "And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding..." | Prophecy of the Spirit resting upon the root of Jesse (Messiah). |
| Isa 49:6 | "Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob... I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'" | Expands the Servant's mission to the Gentiles. |
| Isa 53:11 | "By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities." | Identifies the Servant as bringing righteousness and bearing sin. |
| Zech 9:9 | "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey..." | Prophesies Messiah's gentle, humble nature. |
| John 1:32-34 | "And John bore witness, saying, 'I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him... This is the Son of God.'" | John the Baptist witnesses the Spirit's anointing on Jesus. |
| Acts 10:38 | "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good..." | Peter's summary of Jesus' Spirit-empowered ministry. |
| Acts 13:47 | "For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'" | Apostles embrace the Gentile mission, quoting Isa 49:6. |
| Rom 15:8-12 | "Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant... and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy; as it is written..." | Paul's theological argument for Christ's ministry to both Jews and Gentiles, referencing OT prophecies. |
| Eph 3:6 | "that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel..." | Confirms the inclusion of Gentiles in the covenant through Christ. |
| Heb 1:2 | "He has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds..." | Establishes Christ's ultimate sonship and authority. |
| Heb 5:8-9 | "though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him..." | Describes Jesus' perfect obedience as a Servant-Son. |
| John 5:22 | "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son..." | Jesus' role in executing divine judgment. |
| Rev 19:11 | "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war." | Depicts Christ exercising righteous judgment. |
| Psa 96:13 | "For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth." | Prophecy of God (or His appointed King) judging righteously. |
| Isa 2:2-4 | "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established... and all nations shall flow to it." | Envisioning the universal pilgrimage to God's reign and law. |
Matthew 12 verses
Matthew 12 18 Meaning
Matthew 12:18 introduces Jesus as God's chosen Servant, in whom God finds complete delight. This Servant is divinely empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring forth a definitive form of justice or righteousness to all nations, including the Gentiles, signifying the universal and transformative nature of His saving work. This verse fulfills Old Testament prophecy, portraying the Messiah not as a conquering king but as a gentle, divinely approved minister of God’s redemptive plan.
Matthew 12 18 Context
Matthew 12:18 serves as a pivotal interpretive passage within Matthew's narrative, especially after a series of escalating conflicts between Jesus and the Pharisees. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus performs healing on the Sabbath, sparking intense opposition where the Pharisees plot to destroy Him (Matt 12:1-14). Jesus, aware of their malice, withdraws and continues His healing ministry (Matt 12:15-16), instructing those healed not to make Him known. It is within this specific context of Jesus's quiet withdrawal and humble, compassionate ministry that Matthew quotes Isaiah 42:1-4. The quote explains Jesus's actions and character, presenting His seemingly unassuming methods as the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus's ministry, despite its initial focus on Israel, is divinely intended for all nations. Historically and culturally, many Jewish messianic expectations anticipated a warrior king who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel's earthly glory. This prophecy, quoted by Matthew, subtly counters those expectations by revealing a Messiah whose power is manifested in gentleness, divine Spirit-empowerment, and universal justice, rather than overt political or military might.
Matthew 12 18 Word analysis
Behold (ἰδού, idou): An interjection used to draw attention, emphasizing the importance and revelatory nature of what follows. It highlights God's authoritative proclamation.
my servant (ὁ παῖς μου, ho pais mou): Directly referencing the "Servant" of the Lord in Isaiah's Servant Songs. In the Greek, pais can mean child, boy, or servant. Here, in the context of Isa 42, it specifically means servant, indicating one chosen and designated by God for a specific redemptive mission. It points to Christ's humility and obedient posture towards God's will.
whom I have chosen (ὃν ᾑρέτισα, hon hairetisa): Signifies divine election and unique appointment. This is not self-appointed but a specific, deliberate, and eternal choice by God, affirming Jesus's singular role in God's plan.
my beloved (ὁ ἀγαπητός μου, ho agapetos mou): Expresses profound, intimate affection and unique sonship. This language echoes the divine declarations at Jesus's baptism (Matt 3:17) and Transfiguration (Matt 17:5), emphasizing His identity as the unique Son, truly beloved by the Father.
in whom my soul is well pleased (εὐδόκησεν ἡ ψυχή μου, eudokesen hē psychē mou): Conveys God's full approval, satisfaction, and delight in the Servant. This is a deep contentment, showing God's perfect agreement and joy with the person and work of His Son.
I will put my spirit upon him (θήσω τὸ πνεῦμά μου ἐπ’ αὐτόν, thēsō to pneuma mou ep' auton): Signifies divine anointing and empowerment. This Spirit's descent (seen at Jesus's baptism, Matt 3:16) enables Jesus's public ministry, His miracles, and His authoritative teaching, showing He is God's designated Messiah, fulfilling prophetic expectations.
he shall shew judgment (καὶ κρίσιν ... ἀπαγγελεῖ, kai krisin... apangelei):
- judgment (κρίσιν, krisin): Not merely condemnation, but primarily refers to justice, righteousness, and the just reign of God. It encapsulates God's saving truth, His ethical standard, and the divine order of salvation and judgment that the Messiah will establish. It's the standard by which all will be measured.
- shall shew (ἀπαγγελεῖ, apangelei): To proclaim, announce, declare. The Servant will actively reveal and bring forth this divine justice, not just live by it.
to the Gentiles (τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, tois ethnesin): Emphasizes the universal scope of the Messiah's mission. Breaking away from exclusive Jewish focus, this inclusion of non-Jews is a radical aspect of the prophetic promise, fully realized in Christ's work and the Great Commission.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved: This phrase establishes Jesus's unique identity as divinely appointed and profoundly loved. It portrays Him as God's chosen agent for redemption, operating not from self-will but from divine commission.
- in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him: These two clauses connect God's delight in Jesus directly to His anointing with the Spirit. This underscores the Trinitarian nature of Jesus's mission, where the Father's approval is intertwined with the Spirit's empowerment.
- and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles: This climactic statement reveals the ultimate goal and scope of the Servant's mission: to bring God's saving truth and righteous standard to all nations, encompassing salvation for humanity beyond the confines of Israel.
Matthew 12 18 Bonus section
Matthew's citation of Isaiah 42:1-4 here is significant not only for its content but also for its form. Matthew quotes a version of Isaiah 42:1 that aligns more closely with the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, than the Hebrew Masoretic Text. For example, the LXX has "I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall bring judgment/justice to the Gentiles," which aligns well with Matthew's Greek. This subtle difference indicates Matthew's reliance on existing Greek scriptural tradition accessible to his Hellenistic-Jewish and Gentile-Christian audience, showcasing his theological emphasis rather than a strict adherence to a specific Hebrew manuscript. Furthermore, the theme of "judgment" (κρίσις) throughout the Gospels, particularly in Matthew, expands from judicial condemnation to the establishment of divine order, distinguishing truth from error, and enacting salvation. The Messiah's "judgment" here is primarily salvific: establishing God's righteous reign and true way of life for all people. This verse sets the stage for Jesus's later command in Matthew to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt 28:19).
Matthew 12 18 Commentary
Matthew 12:18 is a profoundly significant verse that encapsulates the core identity and mission of Jesus Christ, as interpreted by Matthew. By quoting Isaiah 42:1-4 directly, Matthew aims to highlight Jesus's divine authority and Messianic role, particularly in contrast to the rigid, legalistic opposition He faces from the Pharisees. This passage clarifies that Jesus's chosen approach—one of humility, quiet healing, and non-confrontation—is not a sign of weakness but the fulfillment of God's ancient plan for His Servant. The emphasis on "my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased," coupled with the anointing of the Spirit, solidifies Jesus's unique relationship with the Father and His divine enablement for ministry. The ultimate goal, "he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles," expands the traditional Jewish messianic expectation to a global scale, foretelling the inclusive nature of the Gospel. This means God's righteous standards and saving power are intended for all humanity, Gentile and Jew alike, paving the way for the universal Christian mission. Practically, this verse illustrates Jesus as the model Servant: operating with divine approval and Spirit-power, exhibiting gentleness in conflict, and having a heart for the unreached nations.