Biblical commentary on the New Testament - The Christian ...

446 Matthew XII. 15-20.
even apparent occasion of accusing him. (Compare, concerning
this, tlie remarks on Matth. viii. 4.)
Ver. 17—Matthew avails himself of this quiet retirement of
Jesus, which contrasted so strikingly with the tumultuous enter-
prises of the false Chris fcs of a later period, to quote a remarkable
passage of the Old Testament (Isaiah xlii, 1-4) in which this cha-
racter of the Messiah is pointed out. The Messiah is there described
as possessing the same gentleness and meekness as he had disjjlayed
in his discourse, Matth. xi. 28-30. (On the oVwf ttXtjpuOxi, comp.
remarks on Matth. i. 22.)
Ver. 18.—This quotation of the Old Testament is also treated
in a peculiar way. Matthew follows neither the LXX., nor the
Hebrew text verhatim; on the contrary, he makes use of the text
for his purpose in a free translation. The LXX. have, in the first
place, added to the translation their own exposition ; they add to
Isaiah xlii. 1: 'IaKcb(3 6 naXg jwv, 'lapariX 6 eKXearog [lov. The reference
of this passage to Israel, i. e., to the whole body of the truly faith-
ful among the people, is, indeed, not incorrect : but Matthew could
not make use of it for his purpose (at least, not without an explan-
ation); hence he adheres to the words of the original text 'T1*. """^5
which presented a more natural reference to Jesus, and translates
by l6ov the i" omitted by the LXX. But, with full warrant, the
Evangelist refers these words to Jesus, inasmuch as our Eedeemer
was not only a member of the collective body of the true worship-
pers of Grod in Israel, but their representative ; and many expressions,
especially ver. 4 (^Vrr-; t^»^5 'irj'ri^), shevv^ that the prophet had §uch
an one in his \dew. The word {jperiaa (Heb. T\>^i^,^., LXX, -rrpoaede^aro)
from alperi^o), which is found only in this passage, ditFerS" from the
signification of the word in the original text ; yet the word o^sP! " to
seize," " to lay hold on," = alpeu, might perhaps be taken in that
sense. The word N-'srii the LXX render better by e^otoei, than Matthew
by d-rrayyeAet. Perhaps Matthew chose the expression on ac-
count of the subsequent prophetical discourses of Christ concerning
the judgment. ^
Ver, 19.—The words of this and of the foliowMg verses, extol the
gentle character of this beloved Son of God. Matthew has trans-
posed the first two expressions, the words, of the Hebrew text being
t