14. How was Isaiah 49:8 fulfilled in the case of Jesus?

¹⁴ In further fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, Jehovah gave his “servant” Jesus as “a light of the nations, that [God’s] salvation may come to be to the extremity of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6, 8; compare Isaiah 42:1-4, 6, 7; Matthew 12:18-21.)

Adam’s offspring were like a “bruised reed,” which God did not wish to crush, or like a “smoldering flaxen wick,” which he did not want to extinguish. (Matthew 12:20)

As the “righteous sprout” of King David, Jesus was eager to ‘seek justice and be prompt in righteousness.’—Isaiah 16:5; 42:1-4; Matthew 12:18-21; Jeremiah 33:14, 15.

Right down to the present, his name inspires hope, even in the hearts of those who have never seen him.—Matthew 12:15-21; 15:3-10.

Instead of figuratively crushing bruised reeds and quenching smoldering wicks, Jesus pitied the afflicted, taught and healed them, and made clear to them the justice of Jehovah God. (Matthew 12:10-21)

Quoting words fulfilled by Christ, Matthew wrote: “No bruised reed will he crush, and no smoldering flaxen wick will he extinguish, until he sends out justice with success.” (Matthew 12:20; Isaiah 42:3)

Rather, he fulfilled Isaiah 42:3: “No crushed reed will he break; and as for a dim flaxen wick, he will not extinguish it.” (Compare Matthew 12:17-21.)

In trueness he will bring forth justice.”​—Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:17, 20; Luke 7:37, 38, 44-50.

He showed pity for them, taught them about Jehovah’s purposes, and healed them.​—Matthew 12:15-21.

Matthew 12:15-21; Mark 3:7-12; Isaiah 42:1-4.

Indeed, in his name nations will hope.”​—Matthew 12:18-21; Isaiah 42:1, 4.

In chapters 8, 9, 11, 12 and 14-17, Matthew reports chiefly on Jesus’ many miracles such as his feeding 5,000 on one occasion and another time “four thousand men, besides women and young children.”

The manner in which he dealt with oppressed ones fulfilled the words of Isaiah 42:3: “No crushed reed will he break; and as for a dim flaxen wick, he will not extinguish it.” (Matt. 12:20)

Inspired Bible writers in the first century C.E. ascribed to Isaiah material from the latter part, as well as the early part, of the book bearing his name. (Isa. 42:1-4; 53:1; Matt. 12:17-21; Rom. 10:16)

He foretold many details about Jesus’ life. (Isa. 7:14; 9:1, 2; 11:1; 42:1-4; Matt. 1:1, 6, 16-23; 4:14-16; 12:14-21)

In chapter 12 we read such pointed truths as, “Every . . . house divided against itself will not stand,” “He that does not gather with me scatters,” and, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”​—Matt. 12:25, 30, 34.

In this way a further prophecy is fulfilled, that “in his name nations will hope.”​—Matt. 12:18-21; compare Isaiah 42:4, where the Hebrew uses the word “law” instead of “name.”

Compare Mt 12:20: III. judgment of condemnation, condemnation, damnation. (Mark 3:29; John 5:24, 29); IV. the cause or ground of condemnation or punishment.

12:17-21 57

Indeed, in his name nations will hope.’”—Matt. 12:17-21, NW.