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Matthew 12:20

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

KJV

κάλαμον συντετριμμένον οὐ κατεάξει καὶ λίνον τυφόμενον οὐ σβέσει, ἕως ἂν ἐκβάλῃ εἰς νῖκος τὴν κρίσιν.

Greek NT

arundinem quassatam non confringet, et linum fumigans non extinguet, donec ejiciat ad victoriam judicium :

Vulgate

A bruised reed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory.

ASV

The bruised reed he shall not break: and smoking flax he shall not extinguish: till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Douay-Rheims

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In the original Greek

15 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

εἰς
eis
preposition · 1769×
κάλαμος
kalamos
noun · 12×
καί
kai
conjunction · 8973×
κατάγνυμι
katagnumi
verb · 4×
κρίσις
krisis
noun · 47×
λίνον
linon
noun · 2×
νῖκος
nikos
noun · 4×
οὐ
ou
particle · 1626×
σβέννυμι
sbennumi
verb · 6×
συντρίβω
suntribo
verb · 7×
τύφω
tupho
verb · 1×
ἄν
an
particle · 165×
ἐκβάλλω
ekballo
verb · 80×
ἕως
eos
adverb · 145×
o
article · 19778×

Historic Christian voices

4 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

§713The Messiah's characteristics are revealed above all in the "Servant songs."82 These songs proclaim the meaning of Jesus' Passion and show how he will pour out the Holy Spirit to give life to the many: not as an outsider, but by embracing our "form as slave."83 Taking our death upon himself, he can communicate to us his own Spirit of life.
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. The first of the great Servant Songs describes the Messiah as one who does not cry out in the streets but brings justice gently and faithfully. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoking flax he will not quench. Matthew applies these words directly to Christ's healing ministry. The servant is also appoin…

Cross-references

  • 1Thess 5:14 — Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
  • 2Cor 2:7 — So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
  • 2Cor 10:3 — For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
  • 2Kgs 18:21 — Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him
  • Ezek 34:16 — I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong;
  • Gen 19:21 — And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
  • Heb 4:15 — For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
  • Heb 12:12 — Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
  • Isa 42:3 — A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
  • Isa 57:15 — For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of t
  • Isa 61:1 — The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and th
  • Jer 31:8 — Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together:
  • Lam 3:31 — For the LORD will not cast off for ever:
  • Luke 4:18 — The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sig
  • Luke 4:18 — The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sig
  • Luke 8:48 — And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
  • Matt 11:28 — Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
  • Ps 51:17 — The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
  • Ps 147:3 — He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
  • Rev 6:2 — And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
  • Rom 14:1 — Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
  • Rom 15:17 — I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.