John Calvin Commentary Matthew 12:19

"He shall not strive, nor cry aloud; Neither shall any one hear his voice in the streets." — Matthew 12:19 (ASV)

He will not strive. The general meaning is that the coming of Christ will not be attended by noise, nor will it have anything of royal splendor and magnificence. He soon adds that this will benefit people by inducing them to love that mildness which the world everywhere despises.

And certainly, it is an astonishing display of human folly that their views concerning Christ are less respectful because he mildly and voluntarily adapts himself to their capacity. If Christ were to appear in his glory, what else could be expected but that it would completely swallow us up? What wickedness then is it to be less willing to receive him, when for our sake he descends from his elevation?

So that the gentleness of Christ may awaken reverence in believers, Isaiah reminds them how advantageous, and even how necessary, that gentleness must be. Each of us is conscious of his own weakness; therefore, we ought to consider how important it is that Christ should treat us with kindness. I speak not of unbelievers, who are entirely destitute of all the graces of the Spirit; but with respect to those whom God has already called, are they not like a half-broken reed and a smoking lamp until God kindles them to full brightness and supplies them with perfect strength?

When Christ is pleased in this way to condescend to our weakness, let his unspeakable goodness be embraced by us with joy. Meanwhile, let no one flatter themselves concerning their vices, but let each of us labor to make greater progress so that we may not be tossed about (Ephesians 4:14) throughout our whole life, or bend, like reeds, to the slightest gale. Let us grow to full maturity, that we may remain firm against the various attacks of Satan, so that our faith may not only emit slight sparks encompassed by thick smoke, but may send out bright rays.

The example of Christ instructs all his ministers how they should conduct themselves. But as there are some who falsely and absurdly maintain that mildness should be shown indiscriminately towards all, we must attend to the distinction which the prophet expressly makes between weak and wicked persons. Those who are too stubborn need to have their hardness beaten violently with a hammer; and those who try to spread darkness in every direction, or who act as torches to kindle conflagrations, must have their smoke dispelled and their flame extinguished. While the faithful ministers of the Word should try to spare the weak, and thus to cherish and increase that portion of the grace of God, however small, which they possess, they must also exercise prudent caution so that they do not encourage the obstinate malice of those who have no resemblance to the smoking lamp or bruised reed.