Matthew 12:19
Wednesday, 6 August 2025
He will not quarrel nor cry out,
Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. Matthew 12:19
“Not He will wrangle, nor He will clamor, nor anyone – he will hear in the streets His voice” (CG).
In the previous verse, Jesus was referred to in Matthew’s citation of Isaiah 42. Isaiah’s words that parallel this verse are found in Isaiah 42:2 –
“Not he will shriek, and not he will lift, and not He will cause to declare in the street His voice” (CG).
In the Hebrew, the word “lift” must mentally be supplied with the additional words “His voice.” Understanding this, Matthew continues his citation, stating, “Not He will wrangle.” Matthew uses the word erizó, which signifies to wrangle, as in disputing or quarreling. This is its only use in the New Testament.
While among Israel, Jesus did not possess a contentious spirit. Rather, He stated His case and rebuffed falsities, but the gospels show that He did not get into lengthy arguments with those who came against Him. Next, it says, “nor He will clamor.”
It is a second new word, kraugazó, clamor, as in people shouting vehemently. There are times Jesus is recorded as having lifted up His voice, but it was usually in a petition for reason or a calling of those around Him to come to their senses. There was no sense of violent argumentation in those accounts. The only other time this word is used when referring to Jesus is found in John 11 –
“Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’” Matthew 11:43, 44
In that instance, Jesus’ crying out was not violently agitating the people, which is the point Isaiah and Matthew are making. Understanding this, Matthew continues with, “nor anyone – he will hear in the streets His voice.”
The idea here is a person who looks to draw attention to himself as a way of gaining popularity. If one went into the streets and started singing or acting, it would mean he was trying to draw attention to himself. Likewise, if he started a public agitation about some leader or against Rome, he would be trying to gain an audience.
Jesus didn’t approach His ministry that way. Instead, He led by His actions, not having a need to distract from them with lofty or manipulative words.
Life application: There are innumerable ways of getting the word out to the people. It would be a sad loss for people to take the words of this verse and say, “Jesus didn’t do XX, and therefore I will not do that as well.”
He has already told His disciples, “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops” (Matthew 10:27). There is no record of Jesus having gone to the rooftops to do this. Jesus set His own example based on His ministry. We are to set our example based on our abilities, culture, situation, etc.
It would be inappropriate for a person to stand up in the middle of his office and start preaching like a street evangelist. It would probably lead to his dismissal. Sometimes, handing out a tract is the right thing to do. At others, getting a permit and going to a town square to preach may draw people to you.
However, standing on a street corner with a megaphone and yelling at the passing people that they are all sinners and are going to hell is a ridiculous approach that many have taken over the years. That will only cause people to close their ears, laugh at the crazy Christian, and alienate those in the crowd from ever wanting to have anything to do with Jesus.
The point of evangelizing is to bring people to Jesus. Understanding the time, situation, location, state of the people, etc., is all necessary to effectively transmit the good news so that it will be heard and accepted.
Remember that the exaltation of Jesus as the One God sent to restore us to Him is the primary thing we are to share with others. This is the point of the gospel. We are in a bad spot. God took the initiative to correct that. He sent Jesus, who did everything necessary to restore us to God. All God wants from us is to believe the good news.
How you communicate this message is important. Consider it and then act accordingly.
Heavenly Father, help us to be aware of the best way to get the message of Jesus out to others. Help us to consider the time and circumstances around us and to then be willing to use them to lead others to a saving knowledge of You. Yes, Lord, give us wisdom in this awesome responsibility. Amen.
