Isaiah 42:2

“He shall not cry, &c.]. According to Aben Ezra and Kimchi, as a judge in court is obliged to extend his voice that he may be heard: the Evangelist Matthew renders it, “he shall not strive”; or contend in a disputatious way, about mere words and things to no profit, or litigate a point in law; he shall bring no complaints, or enter an action against any, but rather suffer wrong, as he advises his followers, (<400540>Matthew 5:40), for this does not respect the lowness of his voice in his ministry; in this sense he often cried, as Wisdom is said to do, (<200120>Proverbs 1:20,21 8:1-3 <430737> John 7:37): “nor lift up”; that is, his voice, as Jarchi, Kimchi, and Ben Melech supply it; or, as…”

“Matthew (Mat 12:19) marks the kind of "cry" as that of altercation by quoting it, "He shall not strive" (Isa 53:7). street--the Septuagint translates "outside." An image from an altercation in a house, loud enough to be heard in the street outside: appropriate of Him who "withdrew Himself" from the public fame created by His miracles to privacy (Mat 12:15; Isa 34:5, there, shows another and sterner aspect of His character, which is also implied in the term "judgment").”

“He shall not cry - He will not make a clamor or noise; he will not be boisterous, in the manner of a man of strife and contention. Nor lift up - That is, his voice. Nor cause his voice to be heard in the street - He shall not t use loud and angry words, as they do who are engaged in conflict, but all his teaching shall be gentle, humble, and mild. How well this agrees with the character of the Lord Jesus it is not necessary to pause to show. He was uniformly unostentatious, modest, and retiring. He did not even desire that his deeds should be blazoned abroad, but sought to be withdrawn from the world, and to pursue his humble path in perfect peace. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Cry - In a way of contention, or ostentation. Lift - His voice. Heard - As contentious and vain - glorious persons frequently do. Isaiah 42:3”

“42:2 shout or raise his voice: The royal servant will have calm confidence in his message and calling from God (see also 11:1-5).”

“Zac 9:9; Mat 11:29, Mat 12:16-20; Luk 17:20; Ti2 2:24; Pe1 2:23 Isaiah 42:3”

“The prophet then proceeds to describe how the servant of Jehovah will manifest Himself in the world outside Israel by the promulgation of this right. "He will not cry, nor lift up, nor cause to be heard in the street, His voice." "His voice" is the object of "lift up," as well as "cause to be heard." With our existing division of the verse, it must at least be supplied in thought. Although he is certain of His divine call, and brings to the nations the highest and best, His manner of appearing is nevertheless quiet, gentle, and humble; the very opposite of those lying teachers, who endeavoured to exalt themselves by noisy demonstrations. He does not seek His own, and therefore denies…”