Matthew 12:21

21 And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

Matthew 12:21 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 12:21

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
] The former part of the text is omitted, "he shall not fail, nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth"; but is inserted in Munster's Hebrew Gospel; and which some understand of the bruised reed, and smoking flax, and others of Christ; the latter sense is to be preferred. The passage, here cited, is somewhat different in Isaiah: for there it is, "and the isles shall wait for his law"; but the difference, at least, in sense, is not so great as it may appear at first sight: for, (Myya) , as Grotius observes, does not always signify "islands", but nations, and countries, that are upon the continent, ( Genesis 10:5 ) and so might be rightly rendered here, the Gentiles, or "nations"; and by "the name" of Christ is meant his Gospel: see ( Acts 9:15 ) which Isaiah calls his "law": that is, his doctrine, the doctrine of righteousness, life, and salvation by him, which is the ground and foundation of hope, and trust in him; and they that wait for it, may be truly said to hope, or trust in it. This began to have its accomplishment in the Idumeans, Tyrians, and Sidonians, now attending on the ministry of Christ; and has had a greater accomplishment since: the Gospel having been preached in the Gentile world, both upon the main land, and in the isles afar off; whereby multitudes have been brought to hope, and believe in Christ, as their Saviour and Redeemer.

Matthew 12:21 In-Context

19 He will not quarrel or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
20 A crushed reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not extinguish, until he brings justice to victory.
21 And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
22 Then a demon-possessed man [who was] blind and mute was brought to him. And he healed him so that the [man who was] mute could speak and see.
23 And all the crowds were amazed and began saying, "Perhaps this one is the Son of David!"

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or "the nations"; the same Greek word (in the plural) can be translated as "nations," "Gentiles," or "pagans"
  • [b]. Verses 18-21 are a quotation from Isa 42:1-4
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.