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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 42:1-4

We are sure that these verses are to be understood of Christ, for the evangelist tells us expressly that in him this prophecy was fulfilled, Matt. 12:17-21. Behold with an eye of faith, behold and observe, behold and admire, my servant, whom I uphold. Let the Old-Testament saints behold and remember him. Now what must we behold and consider concerning him? I. The Father's concern for him and relation to him, the confidence he put and the complacency he took in him. This put an honour upon him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 42:3

A bruised reed shall not break ,.... The tenderness of Christ to weak and ignorant persons is here and in the next clause expressed; by whom young converts or weak believers seem to be designed; who are compared to a "reed", because worthless with respect to God, whom they cannot profit; and in the view of men, who reckon them as nothing; and in themselves, and in their own view, who judge themselves unworthy of the least of mercies; and because they are weak, not only as all men are, of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:1-4

The characteristics of the true Leader. Taking these words as applicable to the Anointed of the Lord, and then, secondarily, to every one who is equipped and sent of him to lead and save men, we have the following features indicated. I. THE SPIRIT OF OBEDIENCE . "My Servant "( Isaiah 42:1 ). Jesus Christ was the Servant of Jehovah; he was "about his Father's business" from the beginning. He came "to work the work of him that sent him." It was his "meet to do the Father's will,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:1-7

The servants of God, and the one true Servant. It must be admitted By all that the expression "Servant of God" or "Servant of Jehovah," is used in Scripture in various senses. All who work out God's purposes, however unconsciously or even unwillingly, are called by the sacred writers "God's servants," in respect of the service, albeit unconscious or unwilling, which they render him. Thus Jeremiah calls Nebuchadnezzar "God's servant" ( Jeremiah 25:9 ; Jeremiah 27:6 , etc.), and Ezekiel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:1-7

The Servant of Jehovah. "Behold!" Let all the world hearken and attend to the new revelation. It is admitted that the conception is substantially that of Christ in the Gospels. According to one critic, indeed, the prophetic passage springs from the time of Herod II . Let us think, then, of Jesus and his mission. I. THE ELECT OF GOD . Six times does the word occur in this portion of Isaiah; it is found also in Psalms 89:3 ; Psalms 105:6 , Psalms 105:43 ; Psalms 106:5 , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:1-8

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE SERVANT OF THE LORD , AND THE WORK WHICH HE WILL PERFORM . There are comparatively few who deny that, in this place at any rate, the "Servant of the Lord" is the Messiah. (So the Targum on the passage; so Abar-barnel; so, among moderns, Oehler, Delitzsch, and Mr. Cheyne.) The portraiture has "so strong an individuality and such marked personal features, that it cannot possibly be a mere personified collective;" and it goes so "infinitely ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:2-3

Quietness of method and hopefulness of spirit. That these words are rightly referred to our Lord we have the assurance of Scripture ( Matthew 12:1-50 .), as well as the evidence of their perfect applicability. They remind us of— I. THE QUIETNESS OF HIS METHOD . With a task before him the surpassing greatness of which completely dwarfs every human enterprise, it was a matter of vital consequence that our Lord should adopt the method which would be permanently effective. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:3

A bruised reed shall he not break . Egypt was compared to a "bruised reed" by Sennacherib ( Isaiah 36:6 ), as being untrustworthy and destitute of physical strength; but here the image represents the weak and depressed in spirit, the lowly and dejected. Christ would deal tenderly with such, not violently. Smoking flax shall he not quench ; rather, the wick which burns dimly (margin) he shall not quench. Where the flame of devotion burns at all, however feebly and dimly, Messiah will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 42:3

The tenderness of God. "A bruised reed shall he not break." Then he is very unlike us. We are often over-indignant with wrong done to ourselves. We find that there is an imperious temper in humanity, and that even parents sometimes "break" the spirit of their children. How many are discouraged and disheartened in life through a want of sympathy, through the coldness and hauteur of others! I. THERE ARE BRUISINGS OF SIN . Christ will heal these. He never drives to despair. He... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 42:3

A bruised reed - The word ‘reed’ means the cane or calamus which grows up in marshy or wet places (Isaiah 36:6; see the note at Isaiah 43:24). The word, therefore, literally denotes that which is fragile, weak, easily waved by the wind, or broken down; and stands in contrast with a lofty and firm tree (compare Matthew 11:7): ‘What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?’ The word here, therefore, may be applied to people who are conscious of feebleness and sin; that... read more

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