He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
Read Chapter 12
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
He shall not contend. These words do not occur in the prophet, but are added by St. Matthew to express more fully the sense, because he offered himself up to the will of his heavenly Father, and delivered himself into the hands of those who persecuted him. (St. Aquinas) Nor cry out; because, like a lamb, in the hands of the shearer, he opened not his mouth.
The prophet celebrated in advance both the Savior’s meekness right alongside his unspeakable power. Thereby he opened to the Gentiles a great and effective door. Isaiah also foretold the ills that were to overtake the Jews. He foreknew the Son’s oneness with the Father: “Israel is my chosen, my soul has accepted him; I have put my Spirit upon him.” For it is not as an adversary that Christ transcends the law, as if he were an enemy of the Lawgiver, but as though he were of one mind with the Lawgiver and held to the very same purposes. Then, proclaiming the Lord’s meekness, Isaiah said, “He shall not cry nor lift up his voice.” For his desire indeed was to enable healing in their presence. But since they pushed him away, he did not contend any further against their opposition. The Gospel of Matthew, Homily
Then proclaiming His meekness, he says, He shall not strive nor cry. For His desire indeed was to heal in their presence; but since they thrust Him away, not even against this did He contend.
Matthew brings in the prophet as a witness to Jesus’ meekness (Ms. 42:1-4). For whatever the Jews want, he says, Christ will do. If they do not want Him io be made known, then He will not make Himself known. He will not stand up against them like one seeking renown, nor will He dispute contentiously. He will bid the multitudes not to make Him known, but He will also proclaim judgement to the Gentiles, that is, He will teach the Gentiles. For "judgement" (krisis) is teaching, knowledge, and discernment (diakrisis) of the good. Or, in another sense, He will also proclaim the coming judgement to the Gentiles who have never heard of this judgement. "Neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets." For He did not teach in the middle of the market place, as did the vainglorious, but in the temple and in the synagogues and on the mountain and along the shores.
