The servant who will not break a bruised reed
The Old Testament
A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.
Isaiah 42:3
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In the New Testament
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all.
Matthew 12:15
BSB
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Read the full text (8 verses)
God presents his servant: he has chosen him and put his Spirit on him. He does not cry out, does not break the bruised reed, does not quench the smoking flax, and brings justice to the nations.
The first of the four 'Servant Songs' in Isaiah (Isaiah 42; 49; 50; 52-53). Matthew quotes it at the moment Jesus heals people and asks them not to talk about it: a Messiah without a show of power, gentle with the broken. The voice at the baptism ('in whom I am well pleased') echoes its first verse.