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The Holy Bible: King James Version Chapter 12

But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 16 And charged them that they should not make him known: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. 11 The Holy Bible: King James Version., electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. (Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995), Mt 12:15–21.

Jesus, God’s Chosen Servant

15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16 but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:

18 “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.

He is my Beloved, who pleases me.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

19 He will not fight or shout

or raise his voice in public.

20 He will not crush the weakest reed

or put out a flickering candle.

Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.

21 And his name will be the hope

of all the world.”* 1

* * 12:18–21 Isa 42:1–4 (Greek version for 42:4).

1 Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Mt 12:15–21.

In Charge of Everything

15–21 Jesus, knowing they were out to get him, moved on. A lot of people followed him, and he healed them all. He also cautioned them to keep it quiet, following guidelines set down by Isaiah:

Look well at my hand-picked servant;

I love him so much, take such delight in him.

I’ve placed my Spirit on him;

he’ll decree justice to the nations.

But he won’t yell, won’t raise his voice;

there’ll be no commotion in the streets.

He won’t walk over anyone’s feelings,

won’t push you into a corner.

Before you know it, his justice will triumph;

the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even among far-off unbelievers.1

1 Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), Mt 12:15–21.

F. The Servant King Tries to Minister Quietly (12:15–21)

Supporting Idea: In contrast to the murderous hypocrites, the King serves his people gently and humbly.

12:15–16. The verb withdrew may be another indication by Matthew that the chasm between Jesus and the false religious leaders was growing wider. Jesus now moved physically away from their presence and opposition. He knew the impact of the preceding confrontation, both on the crowd and on his enemies. Because the time for his death was yet future, and there was much more to do (especially the preparation of the Twelve to carry on his ministry), Jesus avoided further open conflict for a time, withdrawing to a more private place, away from the scrutiny of the hypocrites.

Many followed him, because of their growing faith in him and their decreasing trust in the hypocrites, and he healed all their sick, presumably at least some on the Sabbath. As in 8:4, 9:30, and 17:9, Jesus warned these people not to tell who he was. His ministry was not a show; he truly cared for the needy. The healing of the first man’s hand was an act of true compassion and a public demonstration of Jesus’ identity and authority. In these further healings, mercy became the more prominent element of his motivation.

12:17–21. By the act of withdrawing and conducting ministry quietly, Jesus proclaimed the truth of his identity by fulfilling another Old Testament messianic prophecy: “My servant … will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out” (Isa. 42:1–3). This prophecy pointed out the humble, quiet nature of the Messiah’s ministry (cf. “gentle and humble in heart,” Matt. 11:29). Matthew wanted to be sure his readers saw this side of the Messiah-King.

This passage, as much as any other in Matthew, confronted the popular expectations of the Messiah. Those who had hardened hearts would hold to their expectations of a political or military savior and reject the humble man they saw. But those with “ears to hear” would allow the reality of Jesus to change their expectations. This passage further reinforces Matthew’s dramatic theme—the shift from hard-hearted Israel to believing Gentiles. Jesus withdrew from the religious hypocrites as personified by the Pharisees. This move was based on Old Testament prophecy: “In his name the nations will put their hope” (12:21).

Matthew, in his longest Old Testament quote, quoted only the first three verses of Isaiah 42:1–9. These verses deal with the meekness of the servant, although Matthew 12:21 is probably a very liberal paraphrase of Isaiah 42:4c. The song goes on in Isaiah 42:4–9 to describe the servant as one who would be the bearer of justice, the law, and the covenant, “as a light for the Gentiles.” He would “open eyes that are blind” and “free captives.” This would be a new era in God’s plan. But all of this will spring from the humble, quiet ministry of the Suffering Servant described in Isaiah 42:1–3.

This song describes God’s original intention for Israel. The nation was chosen not to remain separate from the other nations, but to be Yahweh’s servant in taking the truth to the nations. The passage describes even more accurately the ministry of Yahweh’s other servant, Jesus the Messiah-King, who initiated the plan to take the truth throughout the world.

The servant is one whom Yahweh has chosen (12:18a). He is not self-appointed, but willingly cooperates with Yahweh’s will. In poetic parallel with the first line, the servant is loved by God (Heb., “my chosen one”) and is the delight of the Lord (12:18b; cf. “my Son … with him I am well pleased,” 3:17; also the Transfiguration, 17:5). This is a significant connection, God’s love and his choice are never separated. In fact, they are almost synonymous.

Yahweh will put his spirit on his servant so the servant will speak and act according to Yahweh’s will and authority (12:18c). Out of this authority, by Yahweh’s Spirit, the servant will proclaim (Heb., “bring forth”) justice to the nations (12:18d). Jesus had already alluded to God’s plan for nations besides Israel (8:11). God’s kingdom will go beyond Israel, but Israel had lost sight of that vision.

Beginning in 12:19, the quote connects Isaiah’s servant with the conduct of Jesus. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. Jesus was not ready to begin the open conflict that would come later in his ministry, so he tried to stay out of the public eye during this period. Throughout every phase of Jesus’ ministry, he behaved meekly, unleashing his wrath only on occasion, as a loving shepherd will lash out at a predator that threatens the flock.

Even those who are worthless and useless in the eyes of the world will be accepted by God’s Suffering Servant (12:20a). Reeds were the stems of a variety of species of plants. They were carved into ink pens or walking sticks, or their fibers were used for weaving or making into parchment for writing on. Reeds were one of the most common materials in everyday life. Damaged reeds were discarded without thought because more were readily available. A wick on an oil lamp might smolder because it was low on oil or trimmed improperly. Usually a smoldering wick would be put out, because it would produce smoke but no light. The Messiah, who was “gentle and humble in heart” (11:29) would welcome and use in ministry those whom the world deemed worthless and useless.

The servant’s purpose is justice, and his justice will lead to victory (12:20b; the Hebrew text means. “He will faithfully bring Forth justice”). Even though the servant comes meekly he is also the judge (11:27; 28:18), and he will bring justice and fairness to the people.

Verse 21 is not found in Isaiah 42 in the wording Matthew used. Most likely Matthew skipped the first two lines of 42:4 and paraphrased the third line: “And the coastlands [Gentile territory along the Mediterranean] will wait expectantly for his law.” Matthew’s purpose in paraphrasing the wording was to leave lingering in the reader’s mind the role that Jesus the Messiah-King was to play in the world. No one of any nationality had any hope apart from him. And he was taking his message of hope to all the nations, not just chosen Israel.

G. The King Responds to Slanderous Accusations (12:22–37)

Supporting Idea: Rather than succumbing to the hypocrites’ slander, the king warns them that their accusations will be their condemnation at the judgment.

In the first portion of this conflict (12:22–29), we see Jesus on the defensive, fending off the Pharisees’ accusation that he works for Satan. But in the second (12:30–32) and third (12:33–37) segments of the conflict, Jesus went on the offensive, revealing the depth of corruption and sin behind the Pharisees accusation.1

1 Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 173–175.

12:15–21 This summary of Jesus’ ministry clarifies Jesus’ nature as the Messiah, the Servant of God who will bring salvation to the nations (see Isa 42:1–4).11 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Mt 12:15–21.

12:15 Jesus … withdrew from there (cf. 2:14, 22; 4:12, 13), not trying to escape all opposition but to prevent its escalation until the time comes for his predicted betrayal and death.

12:16 ordered them not to make him known. See note on 8:4; cf. 9:30; 16:20; 17:9.

12:17 to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah. Matthew’s typical fulfillment formula (see note on 1:22) introduces his longest OT quotation (Isa. 42:1–4). It comes from the “Servant Songs” (Isaiah 42–53), in which the “servant” represents alternately the nation of Israel and the gentle, Spirit-endowed, suffering servant, whose mission is to bring justice to the nations.

12:18–20 my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved. The Father expresses the same delight in his Son at Jesus’ baptism (3:17) and at his transfiguration (17:5). he will proclaim justice. The servant brings the good news of the arrival of the kingdom but also pronounces judgment on the rulers of this world who reject him. will not quarrel or cry aloud. He did not come the first time as a conquering warrior. bruised reed … smoldering wick. Jesus the servant compassionately cares for those who have been abused (cf. 9:36; 11:28).1

1 Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 1844–1845.

Large Crowds Follow Jesus / 12:15–21 / 47

Jesus was not afraid of the religious leaders. Jesus had been aggressively confronting the Pharisees’ hypocrisy, but here, however, he decided to withdraw from the synagogue before a major confrontation developed. Jesus did this because it was not time for him to die. He still had many lessons to teach his disciples and the people.

12:15–16 Despite his withdrawal, Jesus could not escape the crowds. Many people continued to follow him, and Jesus had compassion on those who were sick, and he healed them; however, he also warned them not to say who he was. Jesus did not want people coming to him for the wrong reasons.

12:17–21 In these verses, Matthew gets to the focus of this chapter—Jesus as the one who fulfilled prophecy. The people expected the Messiah to be a king. This quotation from Isaiah 42:1–4 showed that the Messiah was indeed a king, but it illustrated the kind of king he would be—a quiet, gentle ruler who brings justice to the nations.

Religious Leaders Accuse Jesus of Getting his Power from Satan / 12:22–37 / 74

Leaving the chronology in these verses, Matthew gives an example of the intensifying conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. The religious leaders had already decided that they wanted to kill Jesus (12:14), so they began looking for any opportunity to accuse him.

12:22 A man who was demon-possessed, blind, and unable to talk was brought to Jesus for healing, and Jesus healed him.1

1 Bruce Barton et al., Life Application New Testament Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001), 57–58.

12:16 not to make him known. Probably because they had wrong ideas about his life and work. See note on 11:3.

12:17 fulfill. See note on 1:22. Isaiah. Matthew cites Isa. 42:1–3 to explain Jesus’ quiet and effective ways.

12:18 my servant. See Isa. 42:1–13; 49:1–13; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12. my beloved. See Matt. 3:17; 17:5. proclaim justice. See Isa. 61:1–3.

12:20 bruised reed … smoldering wick. Represents abused and suffering people (9:36; 11:28).

12:21 Gentiles. The Messiah will minister to all peoples.

12:23 Son of David. See note on 9:27.1

1 Crossway, ESV Concise Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021), 1075–1076.

Notes For Verse 15

a [withdrew himself from thence] Not from cowardice, but to save trouble with the nation He came to save.

b [healed them all] See note, Mt. 13:58.

Notes For Verse 16

a [not make him known] See note, Mt. 8:4.

Notes For Verse 17

a [Esaias] Greek form of Isaiah (note, Mt. 3:3).

Notes For Verse 18

a [Behold my servant, whom I have chosen …] The 10th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Matthew (Mt. 12:17–21; Isa. 42:1–4). Next, Mt. 13:14.

b [my servant] Seven prophecies of the Messiah fulfilled:

1. God’s servant (Mt. 12:18)

2. Chosen of God (Mt. 12:18)

3. Beloved of God (Mt. 12:18)

4. Anointed of God (Mt. 12:18)

5. A just judge (Mt. 12:18)

6. No anarchist (Mt. 12:19)

7. Successful mission (Mt. 12:20–21)

Notes For Verse 19

a [strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets] Contend, make an outcry, or raise His voice in the streets to cause a mob spirit or rebellion to take hold of the people to defend Himself against His enemies.

Notes For Verse 20

a [A bruised reed shall he not break] A reference to a musical instrument made of a reed that was easily broken and crushed under the feet. The shepherd would often prefer to repair the pipe instead of making another one, so he would not crush it under his feet until all hope of repairing it was past.

b [smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory] A reference to a wick floating in an open lamp. When the oil is used up, the wick smokes and is of no further value unless the oil is replenished. So here, Christ will not use His power to destroy His enemies until it becomes necessary. He will not fail nor be discouraged until He fulfills His mission.1

1 Finis Jennings Dake, The Dake Annotated Reference Bible (Dake Publishing, 1997), Mt 12:15–20.

2 (12:17–18) Jesus Christ, Deity—Chosen Servant: the person of Jesus Christ is spelled out ever so clearly in these two verses. Note this is a quotation from Isaiah’s prediction concerning the person of the Messiah (Is. 42:1–4).

a. Jesus Christ is the Chosen Servant of God. Christ humbled Himself to do God’s will. And He did God’s will perfectly (2 Co. 5:21; He. 4:15). Therefore He is The Ideal Servant of God. He is the pattern, the picture, the ideal of how every man should serve God. Jesus was God’s chosen servant in the great work of redemption. Note two things: Christ was (1) chosen by God, and (2) He was God’s Servant (see note—Ep. 5:2).

“[The Lord] … disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God; and precious” (1 Pe. 2:4).

“[Christ Jesus] who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Ph. 2:6–8).

“Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God” (He. 10:7).

“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.… And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn. 6:38, 40).

Thought 1. Note three strong lessons for us.

⇒ Christ submitted Himself to do God’s will; therefore,

⇒ He was given a great work to do;

⇒ He experienced the great trust of God.

b. Jesus Christ is God’s beloved Son. There are two precious thoughts here.

1) Christ has been “in the bosom of the Father” throughout all eternity; that is, His mission to earth and the great salvation He was to bring to man has been in the recesses of God’s heart forever. God has always held Christ to be very dear and very precious to Him.

2) Christ “was daily His [God’s] delight, rejoicing always before Him” (Pr. 8:30 see Pr. 8:22–31). Throughout all eternity, there has been an inconceivable relationship of love and sharing between the Father and the Son that goes well beyond our finite minds. Christ has always been God’s beloved Son.

“His [God’s] dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.…” (Col. 1:13–14. See 1:13–20 for a beautiful description of the work of Christ and the pleasure of God in that work.)

“For He [Jesus Christ] received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (2 Pe. 1:17. See Mt. 3:17; 17:5; Mk. 1:11; 9:7; Lu. 3:22; 9:35.)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (Jn. 3:16–17).

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again” (Jn. 10:17).

c. God’s Spirit fully endowed Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was qualified for the work God sent Him to do. He had an unlimited measure of God’s Spirit (see note—Jn. 3:34).

“For He [Christ] whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him” (Jn. 3:34; see He. 1:9 where “the oil of gladness” refers to the Holy Spirit).

“And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth” (Is. 11:2–4).

Thought 1. God puts His Spirit upon everyone whom He chooses. This means at least two things.

(1) God gives spiritual gifts and power to every chosen vessel. He equips every person to do just what He calls that person to do. (See Ro. 12:5–8; 1 Co. 12:7–11, 27–31; Ep. 4:11–16.)

(2) God also bestows some of His image, some of His likeness, upon every chosen person (2 Co. 3:18).

DEEPER STUDY # 2

(12:17–21) Jesus Christ, Scripture Fulfilled: see Is. 42:1–4.

3 (12:18–21) Jesus Christ, Work: the work of Jesus Christ is spelled out clearly in these verses.

a. Jesus Christ proclaimed justice to all people. Justice means doing what is right toward God and man (see Deeper Study # 5—Mt. 5:6). It is living right and doing right. Jesus Christ came to show all men, both Jew and Gentile, how to live and behave toward God and toward man. He came to proclaim the right way for man to live out his years on earth.

Thought 1. Christ shuts no man out, but men do shun and avoid, exclude and shut one another out. Christ reaches out to the Gentiles no matter how ungodly and corruptible they may be. He reaches out to all, and He shows all how to live a just and righteous life.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6).

b. Jesus Christ showed humility. The picture is twofold.

1) Jesus Christ did not come making noise:

⇒ striving (arguing, quarreling, debating)

⇒ crying (loudly challenging and reacting against opposition)

⇒ fussing (brawling and creating an uproar in the streets).

Jesus Christ came quietly and peacefully to conquer men by loving them and warning them to flee the terrible results of selfishness and sin.

2) Jesus Christ did not come in the pomp and ceremony which the people had expected of the Messiah. He did not come in the force and violence which the people had expected of the Son of David (see note 1 and Deeper Study # 1—Mt. 1:18). He came in peace, humbling and denying Himself and offering peace to all men no matter how selfish and wicked they might be. He came with the voice of appeal and invitation to be saved, not with the voice of argument and terror and condemnation.

Thought 1. This is a strong lesson for every believer. How far the life and ministry of so many differ from Christ. So many talk about, put forth, stress, argue, and fuss over promotion and publicity, position and importance, ministry and results.

“Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child” (Ps. 131:2).

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” (Is. 32:17).

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before here shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Is. 53:7).

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Mt. 11:29).

“Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you” (2 Co. 10:1).

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you” (1 Th. 4:11).

“Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pe. 2:23).

“But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Pe. 3:4).

c. Jesus Christ loved and encouraged men. Christ came to encourage.

1) He did not come to destroy but to heal the “bruised reed”: those who were hurt, battered, crushed, discouraged, depressed, down, insecure, inferior, shy. He came to heal all who were bruised.

2) He did not come to condemn those with a flickering wick (light) nor to cut them off and cast them away; but He came to encourage the flickering: the weak (light), unmotivated, half-hearted, and lazy.

“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:28).

“I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Ac. 20:35).

“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” (He. 4:15).

“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (He. 13:3).

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him” (Ps. 103:13).

“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Is. 40:11).

“In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old” (Is. 63:9).

d. Jesus Christ will lead justice to victory. He will cause justice to triumph throughout the world. A day of victory is coming. Hearts and lives will turn more and more to Him; men will begin to do right and behave as they should toward God and toward men. There is a glorious day of redemption coming, a climactic day of human history, when all believers shall be perfected in justice and glory.

“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (1 Co. 15:24).

“As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Ro. 8:36–37).

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Co. 2:14).

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:11–14).

e. Jesus Christ gives hope to all. This verse, written somewhere between 50–70 a.d., was a prediction. History has proven the fulfillment of the prophecy: the people who would trust Jesus were to be the Gentiles. The great purpose of God is for men to trust in “His name” (Ro. 10:13). Therefore, the great hope of man is “His name.”

“That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (Ep. 3:6).

“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee” (Ps. 22:27).

“All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name” (Ps. 86:9).

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Is. 9:2).

Thought 1. Christ gives hope to all, no matter how unclean, dirty, or polluted they may be. Trusting Him is all He requires.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lu. 19:10).

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Ro. 10:9–10, 13).

“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment” (1 Jn. 3:23).1

1 Leadership Ministries Worldwide, The Gospel according to Matthew: Chapters 1:1–16:12, vol. 1, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2004), 278–280.

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Anonymous

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