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Verse Takeaways
1
Christ's Tender Care for the Weak
Commentators unanimously see this verse as a beautiful description of Jesus's character. He is uniquely gentle toward those who are spiritually weak, broken by sin, or full of doubt. The 'bruised reed' and 'smoldering wick' are metaphors for fragile people. Scholars like Albert Barnes and John Gill explain that Christ doesn't crush the fragile or extinguish faint faith. Instead, He carefully nurtures, strengthens, and restores those who come to Him in their weakness.
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Book Overview
Isaiah
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On Isaiah 42:3
18th Century
Theologian
A bruised reed - The word ‘reed’ means the cane or calamus which grows up in marshy or wet places (Isaiah 36:6; see the note at …
Charles Ellicott
On Isaiah 42:3
19th Century
Bishop
A bruised reed shall he not break ... — Physical, moral, and spiritual weakness are all brought under the same likeness. …
Charles Spurgeon
On Isaiah 42:3
19th Century
Preacher
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
How exactly …
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John Calvin
On Isaiah 42:3
16th Century
Theologian
A bruised reed he shall not break. After declaring in general that Christ will be unlike earthly princes, He next mentions His mildness in…
John Gill
On Isaiah 42:3
17th Century
Pastor
A bruised reed shall not break
The tenderness of Christ to weak and ignorant persons is here and in the next clause expressed;…
Matthew Henry
On Isaiah 42:1–4
17th Century
Minister
This prophecy was fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 12:17). Let our souls rely on him, and rejoice in him; then, for his sake, the Father wi…