Matthew 12:20
New International Version
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.

New Living Translation
He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.

English Standard Version
a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;

Berean Standard Bible
A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.

Berean Literal Bible
A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench, until He leads justice to victory.

King James Bible
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

New King James Version
A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory;

New American Standard Bible
“A BENT REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A DIMLY BURNING WICK HE WILL NOT EXTINGUISH, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.

NASB 1995
“A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.

NASB 1977
“A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.

Legacy Standard Bible
A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.

Amplified Bible
“A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT EXTINGUISH, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.

Christian Standard Bible
He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not put out a smoldering wick, until he has led justice to victory.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He will not break a bruised reed, and He will not put out a smoldering wick, until He has led justice to victory.

American Standard Version
A bruised reed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Contemporary English Version
He won't break off a bent reed or put out a dying flame, but he will make sure that justice is done.

English Revised Version
A bruised reed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He will not break off a damaged cattail. He will not even put out a smoking wick until he has made justice victorious.

Good News Translation
He will not break off a bent reed, nor put out a flickering lamp. He will persist until he causes justice to triumph,

International Standard Version
He will not snap off a broken reed or snuff out a smoldering wick until he has brought justice through to victory.

Majority Standard Bible
A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.

NET Bible
He will not break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick, until he brings justice to victory.

New Heart English Bible
He won't break a bruised reed. And he won't put out a smoldering wick, until he leads justice to victory.

Webster's Bible Translation
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he shall send forth judgment to victory.

Weymouth New Testament
A crushed reed He will not utterly break, nor will He quench the still smouldering wick, until He has led on Justice to victory.

World English Bible
He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A bruised reed He will not break, "" And smoking flax He will not quench, "" Until He may put forth judgment to victory,

Berean Literal Bible
A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench, until He leads justice to victory.

Young's Literal Translation
a bruised reed he shall not break, and smoking flax he shall not quench, till he may put forth judgment to victory,

Smith's Literal Translation
He shall not break a bruised reed, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he should draw forth judgment to victory.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The bruised reed he shall not break: and smoking flax he shall not extinguish: till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He shall not crush the bruised reed, and he shall not extinguish the smoking wick, until he sends forth judgment unto victory.

New American Bible
A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory.

New Revised Standard Version
He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick until he brings justice to victory.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He will not break even a bruised reed, and he will not extinguish a flickering lamp, until he brings justice to victory;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He will not break off a fractured reed, and the lamp that flickers he will not extinguish until he will bring the verdict of innocence,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoking wick he shall not extinguish, till he shall send forth his law for conquest.

Godbey New Testament
The bruised reed He will not break, and He will not quench the smoking wick, until He may send forth judgment unto victory.

Haweis New Testament
A bruised reed shall he not break down, and smoking flax shall he not quench, until he break forth in judgment for victory.

Mace New Testament
a bruised reed shall he not break, and smoaking flax shall he not quench, till he hath made justice victorious.

Weymouth New Testament
A crushed reed He will not utterly break, nor will He quench the still smouldering wick, until He has led on Justice to victory.

Worrell New Testament
A bruised reed will He not break, and a smoking flax will He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory;

Worsley New Testament
a bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax he will not extinguish, till He send forth judgement victorious.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Chosen Servant
19He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets. 20A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory. 21In His name the nations will put their hope.”…

Cross References
Isaiah 42:3
A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.

Psalm 34:18
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.

Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

Isaiah 66:2
Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

Ezekiel 34:16
I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’

Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,

Luke 15:4-7
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ ...

John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 10:14-15
I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, / just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.

Romans 15:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


Treasury of Scripture

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment to victory.

bruised.

Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

2 Kings 18:21
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

till.

Psalm 98:1-3
A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory…

Isaiah 42:3,4
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth…

Romans 15:17-19
I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God…

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Battered Break Broken Bruised Burning Crushed Feebly Flax Forth Judgment Justice Leads Overcome Quench Reed Righteousness Smoking Smoldering Stem Utterly Victory Wick Won't
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Matthew 12
1. Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,
3. by scripture,
9. by reason,
13. and by a miracle.
22. He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;
24. and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub,
32. he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.
36. Account shall be made of idle words.
38. He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,
46. and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.














A bruised reed
The imagery of a "bruised reed" in Matthew 12:20 is deeply evocative, drawing from the natural world to convey a spiritual truth. In the ancient Near East, reeds were common along riverbanks and were often used for various purposes, such as making baskets or writing instruments. A "bruised" reed, however, is one that is damaged and seemingly useless. The Greek word for "bruised" here is "συντετριμμένον" (syntetrimmenon), which implies something that is crushed or broken. In a spiritual sense, this represents individuals who are weak, vulnerable, or oppressed. The compassionate nature of Christ is highlighted, as He does not discard or overlook those who are damaged or struggling. Instead, He offers healing and restoration, embodying the tender mercy of God.

He will not break
The phrase "He will not break" emphasizes the gentle and restorative nature of Christ's ministry. The Greek verb "καταθλάω" (katathlao) means to break down or crush completely. This assurance that Christ will not break the bruised reed speaks to His patience and kindness. Historically, leaders and rulers might have been expected to discard the weak in favor of the strong, but Jesus' approach is radically different. He values and nurtures those whom society might deem insignificant or beyond repair, reflecting the heart of God who desires to mend and uplift.

a smoldering wick
The "smoldering wick" is another powerful metaphor. In ancient times, lamps were fueled by oil, and a wick that was smoldering was one that was nearly extinguished, producing smoke rather than light. The Greek word "τυφόμενον" (typhomenon) suggests something that is dimly burning or about to go out. This image represents those whose faith or hope is nearly extinguished, who are on the verge of giving up. The smoldering wick symbolizes the faintest glimmer of life or faith that remains in a person, which Christ is committed to nurturing back to full flame.

He will not extinguish
The commitment that "He will not extinguish" the smoldering wick further illustrates Christ's dedication to preserving and reviving the faint-hearted. The Greek verb "σβέννυμι" (sbennymi) means to quench or put out. Jesus' refusal to extinguish the smoldering wick underscores His role as a gentle shepherd who seeks to fan the flames of faith and hope, rather than snuff them out. This is a profound assurance for believers that no matter how weak or faltering their faith may seem, Christ is committed to nurturing and sustaining them.

till He leads justice to victory
The phrase "till He leads justice to victory" speaks to the ultimate triumph of Christ's mission. The Greek word for "justice" is "κρίσιν" (krisin), which can also mean judgment or righteousness. This indicates that Christ's work is not only about individual restoration but also about establishing God's righteous order in the world. The word "νῖκος" (nikos) for "victory" suggests a complete and decisive triumph. Historically, this reflects the Messianic expectation that the Anointed One would bring about God's justice and peace. Christ's ministry, therefore, is both personal and cosmic, ensuring that God's justice will ultimately prevail.

(20) A bruised reed shall he not break.--The prophet's words described a character of extremest gentleness. The "bruised reed" is the type of one broken by the weight of sorrow, or care, or sin. Such a one men in general disregard or trample on. The Christ did not so act, but sought rather to bind up and strengthen. The "smoking flax" is the wick of the lamp which has ceased to burn clearly, and the clouded flame of which seems to call for prompt extinction. Here (as afterwards, in Matthew 25:1-8) we read a parable of the souls in which the light that should shine before men has grown dim. Base desires have clogged it; it is no longer fed with the true oil. For such the self-righteous Pharisee had no pity; he simply gave thanks that his own lamp was burning. But the Christ in His tenderness sought, if it were possible, to trim the lamp and to pour in the oil till the flame was bright again. We cannot help feeling, as we read the words, that the publican-apostle had found their fulfilment in his own personal experience of the profound tenderness of his Master.

Till he send forth judgment unto victory.--In the Hebrew, unto truth. The citation was apparently from memory. What is implied in both readings is, that this tender compassion was to characterise the whole work of the Christ until the time of final judgment should arrive, and truth should at last prevail.

Verse 20. - A bruised reed shall he not break, and-smoking flax shall he not quench. Though what more feeble than a cracked reed or a wick just flickering? Yet he reckons neither as useless; he allows for possibilities of improvement. His treatment of the believer who is weakest, and, so to speak, least alive, is marked by long-suffering and gentleness. Observe that

(1) Matthew omits the words, "He shall not burn dimly nor be discouraged," because he is not concerned with anything else than Christ's relation to others;

(2) he combines into one the two clauses of Isaiah, "He shall bring forth judgment in truth" and "Till he have set judgment in the earth." Till he send forth (ἕως α}ν ἐκβάλῃ). This being the supreme object of Messiah's life and energy - bringing out, as from his own plans and resources, judgment unto victory; i.e. the revelation of the Divine Law (ver. 18, note) to a successful issue in human hearts. Unto victory. Apparently only a paraphrase of the thought in Isaiah.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
A bruised
συντετριμμένον (syntetrimmenon)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4937: From sun and the base of tribos; to crush completely, i.e. To shatter.

reed
κάλαμον (kalamon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2563: A reed; a reed-pen, reed-staff, measuring rod. Or uncertain affinity; a reed; by implication, a pen.

He will not break,
κατεάξει (kateaxei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2608: To break down (in pieces), crush, break into. From kata and the base of rhegnumi; to rend in pieces, i.e. Crack apart.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

a smoldering
τυφόμενον (typhomenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5188: To raise smoke, smolder. Apparently a primary verb; to make a smoke, i.e. Slowly consume without flame.

wick
λίνον (linon)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3043: Flax, linen. Probably a primary word; flax, i.e. 'linen'.

He will not extinguish,
σβέσει (sbesei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4570: (a) I extinguish, quench, (b) I suppress, thwart. A prolonged form of an apparently primary verb; to extinguish.

till
ἕως (heōs)
Conjunction
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

He leads
ἐκβάλῃ (ekbalē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1544: To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.

justice
κρίσιν (krisin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2920: Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

victory.
νῖκος (nikos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3534: Victory. From nike; a conquest, i.e. triumph.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 12:20 He won't break a bruised reed (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 12:19
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