Matthew 12:20 Meaning and Explanation
“A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Servant will not crush the weak or extinguish the faint, but will carry justice through to triumph.
What Does Matthew 12:20 Mean?
Two tender images describe the Servant's heart. A bruised reed, bent and nearly broken, he will not snap off; a smoking wick, its flame almost gone, he will not put out. The bruised and the barely burning stand for the weak, the wounded, and the faltering, whom he handles with care until justice is brought through to full victory.
Here is gospel comfort. Christ does not despise the fragile or discard the failing. The faith that flickers low, the spirit that is bruised by sin or sorrow, he gently tends rather than crushes. He came to mend, not to break; to fan the dying flame, not to quench it. And his patience is not weakness, for he will surely bring his righteous purpose to triumphant completion.
Matthew 12:20 in the Original Language
kalamos (κάλαμος), 'reed' -- a tall, slender, easily bent marsh plant, here a picture of the bruised and fragile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 12:20
What does Matthew 12:20 mean?
The Servant will not crush the weak or extinguish the faint, but will carry justice through to triumph.