Matthew 12:18

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, etc.] These are the words of God the Father, speaking to the church, concerning Christ, as mediator; who, as such, is God’s servant, employed by him, and obedient to him, in the work of man’s salvation; and is a righteous, faithful, prudent, and diligent one; whom he, from all eternity, had chosen to this service, and in the fulness of time sent him to do it, and supported and upheld him in it; for it is whom I uphold, in the Hebrew text. My beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased; who always was the object of his love, not only as his own and only begotten Son, but as in his office capacity, as mediator; in regard to which he was his elect, as it is…”

“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 show judgment to the Gentiles.”

“This account is found also in Mark 3:6-12. Matthew 12:14 The Pharisees ... held a council ... - Mark adds that the Herodians also took a part in this plot. They were probably a “political” party attached firmly to Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, tetrarch of Galilee. He was the same man who had imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist, and to whom the Saviour, when arraigned, was sent by Pilate. See the notes at Luke 3:1. He was under Roman authority, and was a strong advocate of Roman power. All the friends of the family of Herod were opposed to Christ, and ever ready to join any plot against his life. They remembered, doubtless, the attempts of Herod the Great against him when he was…”

“He shall show judgment to the heathens - That is, he shall publish the merciful Gospel to them also: the Hebrew word signifies either mercy or justice. Isa 42:1, &c. Matthew 12:19”

“12:18 This quotation parallels Jesus’ baptism (3:13-17). • Justice (or judgment) can have positive or negative implications; the context here favors a positive meaning (12:20; cp. 23:23).”

“Behold: This prophecy is expressly referred to the Messiah by the Targumist, who renders, "Behold my servant the Messiah," etc., ha avdi mesheecha; and it was amply fulfilled in the gentle, lowly, condescending and beneficent nature of Christ's miracles and personal ministry, his perseverance in the midst of opposition, without engaging in contentious disputation, and his kind and tender dealing with weak and tempted believers. my servant: Isa 49:5, Isa 49:6, Isa 52:13, Isa 53:11; Zac 3:8; Phi 2:6, Phi 2:7 whom I: Psa 89:19; Isa 49:1-3; Luk 23:35; Pe1 2:4 my beloved: Mat 3:17, Mat 17:5; Mar 1:11, Mar 9:7; Luk 9:35; Eph 1:6; Col 1:1, Col 1:13 \*marg. Pe2 1:17 I will: Mat 3:16; Isa 11:2, Isa…”