Matthew 12:18
New International Version
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

New Living Translation
“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

English Standard Version
“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

Berean Standard Bible
“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.

Berean Literal Bible
"Behold My servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul has found delight. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

King James Bible
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 shew judgment to the Gentiles.

New King James Version
“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 will declare justice to the Gentiles.

New American Standard Bible
“BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL DELIGHTS; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE WILL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.

NASB 1995
“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 PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.

NASB 1977
“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 PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.

Legacy Standard Bible
“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 PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.

Amplified Bible
“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 WILL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE NATIONS.

Christian Standard Bible
Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Here is My Servant whom I have chosen, My beloved in whom My soul delights; I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.

American Standard Version
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 declare judgment to the Gentiles.

Contemporary English Version
"Here is my chosen servant! I love him, and he pleases me. I will give him my Spirit, and he will bring justice to the nations.

English Revised Version
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 declare judgment to the Gentiles.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, whom I love, and in whom I delight. I will put my Spirit on him, and he will announce justice to the nations.

Good News Translation
"Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, the one I love, and with whom I am pleased. I will send my Spirit upon him, and he will announce my judgment to the nations.

International Standard Version
"Here is my Servant whom I have chosen, whom I love, and with whom I am pleased! I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to unbelievers.

Majority Standard Bible
?Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.

NET Bible
"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I take great delight. I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

New Heart English Bible
"Look, my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit on him; and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
"This is My servant whom I have chosen, My dearly loved One in whom My soul takes pleasure. I will put My spirit upon Him, and He will announce justice to the nations.

World English Bible
“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Behold, My Servant, whom I chose, "" My Beloved, in whom My soul delighted, "" I will put My Spirit on Him, "" And He will declare judgment to the nations;

Berean Literal Bible
"Behold My servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul has found delight. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

Young's Literal Translation
'Lo, My servant, whom I did choose, My beloved, in whom My soul did delight, I will put My Spirit upon him, and judgment to the nations he shall declare,

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold my servant, which I have chosen: my dearly beloved, in whom my soul was contented; I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall proclaim judgment to the nations.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul hath been well pleased. I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased. I will place my Spirit over him, and he shall announce judgment to the nations.

New American Bible
“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

New Revised Standard Version
“Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold my servant with whom I am pleased, my beloved one, in whom my soul rejoices; I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will preach justice to the peoples.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Behold, my servant, in whom I delight, my beloved, for whom my soul has longed, I shall put my Spirit upon him, and he will preach judgment to the nations.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Be hold, my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul delights. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall declare law to the Gentiles.

Godbey New Testament
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul took delight: I will place my Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim judgment to the Gentiles.

Haweis New Testament
?Behold, my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul delighteth: I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall proclaim judgment for the heathen.

Mace New Testament
"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 shew justice to the nations.

Weymouth New Testament
"This is My servant whom I have chosen, My dearly loved One in whom My soul takes pleasure. I will put My spirit upon Him, and He will announce justice to the nations.

Worrell New Testament
"Behold, My servant Whom I chose, My Beloved, in Whom My soul delighted. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare judgment to the gentiles.

Worsley New Testament
my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon Him, and He shall declare judgement to the nations: He shall not contend,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Chosen Servant
17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 18“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. 19He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets.…

Cross References
Isaiah 42:1
“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.

Matthew 3:17
And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”

Acts 3:13
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him.

Philippians 2:7
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 5:5
So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.”

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,

John 3:34
For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.

Romans 15:12
And once more, Isaiah says: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.”

1 Peter 2:4
As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

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,

Psalm 2:7
I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.

Isaiah 49:5-6
And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength— / He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”


Treasury of Scripture

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit on him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles.

Behold.

my servant.

Isaiah 49:5,6
And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength…

Isaiah 52:13
Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

Isaiah 53:11
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

whom I.

Psalm 89:19
Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

Isaiah 49:1-3
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name…

Luke 23:35
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

my beloved.

Matthew 3:17
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 17:5
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Mark 1:11
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

I will.

Matthew 3:16
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Isaiah 11:2
And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Isaiah 59:20,21
And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD…

and he.

Isaiah 32:15,16
Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest…

Isaiah 49:6
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Jump to Previous
Announce Beloved Chosen Clear Dearly Decision Delight Found Gentiles Judgment Justice Loved Nations Pleased Pleasure Proclaim Servant Shew Show Soul Spirit Well-Pleased
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Announce Beloved Chosen Clear Dearly Decision Delight Found Gentiles Judgment Justice Loved Nations Pleased Pleasure Proclaim Servant Shew Show Soul Spirit Well-Pleased
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.














Here is My servant
The term "servant" in Greek is "παῖς" (pais), which can mean a child, servant, or attendant. In the context of this verse, it refers to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the chosen servant of God. This echoes the prophecy in Isaiah 42:1, emphasizing the role of Jesus as the obedient and humble servant who fulfills God's will. Historically, the concept of a servant was one of humility and submission, which Jesus exemplified through His life and ministry.

whom I have chosen
The Greek word for "chosen" is "ἐκλέγομαι" (eklegomai), meaning to select or choose out. This highlights the divine election and purpose of Jesus as the Messiah. In a historical context, God's choosing of individuals for specific purposes is a recurring theme in the Bible, demonstrating His sovereign will and plan for salvation. Jesus, as the chosen one, fulfills the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament.

My beloved
The word "beloved" in Greek is "ἀγαπητός" (agapētos), which signifies one who is dearly loved. This term reflects the deep, unconditional love of God the Father for His Son, Jesus. It is a love that is not only affectionate but also approving of Jesus' mission and character. This phrase underscores the unique relationship between the Father and the Son, which is central to the Christian understanding of the Trinity.

in whom My soul delights
The phrase "My soul delights" is derived from the Greek "εὐδοκέω" (eudokeō), meaning to be well pleased or to take pleasure in. This expression of divine pleasure indicates God's complete satisfaction with Jesus' obedience and righteousness. It echoes the affirmation given at Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:17) and the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5), reinforcing His identity as the Son of God and the perfect fulfillment of God's will.

I will put My Spirit on Him
The Greek word for "Spirit" is "πνεῦμα" (pneuma), referring to the Holy Spirit. This phrase signifies the anointing and empowerment of Jesus by the Holy Spirit for His earthly ministry. It fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1 and highlights the Trinitarian work in the mission of Christ. The presence of the Holy Spirit on Jesus is a testament to His divine authority and the source of His miraculous works and teachings.

and He will proclaim justice
The word "justice" in Greek is "κρίσις" (krisis), which can mean judgment or justice. This indicates Jesus' role in bringing about God's righteous order and truth. In a historical and scriptural context, justice is a central theme in the prophetic literature, where the Messiah is expected to establish God's kingdom of righteousness. Jesus' proclamation of justice involves both the offer of salvation and the call to repentance.

to the nations
The Greek term for "nations" is "ἔθνη" (ethnē), referring to the Gentiles or peoples of the world. This phrase emphasizes the universal scope of Jesus' mission, extending beyond Israel to all humanity. It reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that through his offspring, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). This global mission is a cornerstone of the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).

(18) Behold my servant.--The mysterious "servant of the Lord," who is the central figure of the last part of Isaiah's prophecies, appears sometimes as the representative of Israel's righteousness, sometimes of its sins, now as one who bore his witness as a prophet and messenger of God, now as standing apart from all others in solitary greatness, or yet more solitary suffering. In each of these aspects the words of Isaiah found their highest fulfilment in the Son of Man. In referring these words to the Messiah, the Evangelist was following in the footsteps of the Chaldee Paraphrase, but we must remember also that the words recorded as heard at the Baptism of Jesus (almost verbally identical with those of the prophecy now cited) must also have suggested the application, especially as connected with the promise, "I will put My Spirit upon Him," which had then received its fulfilment.

He shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.--The word "judgment" has a wide range of meaning in the Hebrew of Isaiah, and includes the work of a king, as teaching, no less than as executing, righteousness. As yet, of course, the work of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles had not begun, but St. Matthew notes, as it were, by anticipation, the spirit of love and gentleness which, when he wrote his Gospel, had brought them also within the range of the judgments--i.e., of the life-giving truths--of the righteous Judge. It is one of the many instances in which his record, though obviously written for Jews, is yet emphatically a Gospel for the Gentiles.

Verse 18. - Behold my servant. Primarily, as would appear, Israel in its ideal, up to which true Israelites came in measure, but only One came fully. Whom I have chosen (ο{ν ᾑρέτισα). The Hebrew denotes "lay hold of" (אתמד), i.e. for myself. Bengel has a beautiful note on the εἰς ὅν of the Received Text, "Αἰς, in, denotat perpeluam mentis paternae tendentiam erga dilectum, 2 Peter 1:17." According to the LXX. of 1 Chronicles 29:1, David's expression about Solomon affords a curious parallel, Ὁ υἱός μου εἰς ο{ν ᾑρέτικεν ἐν αὐτῷ Κύριος (edit. Dr. Swete). But Lagarde's edition of the Lucianic text punctuates and accents differently, Ὁ υἱός μου εϊς ο{ν ᾑρέτικεν ἐν αὐτῷ κύριος, and this is much nearer to the Hebrew. My beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased (Matthew 3:17, note): I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall show (declare, Revised Version) judgment to the Gentiles (καὶ κρίσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἀπαγγελεῖ). Although κρίσις usually represents in the New Testament God's decision as to the character and life of men, it here must be understood, like mishpat in the original, of the Divine right as made known to them for their acceptance and imitation. It is "the true religion viewed on its practical side as a norm and standard for life in all its relations" (Delitzsch). The thought here, therefore, is not of Christ's power to punish and avenge (though he refused to use it as yet), but of his bringing a revelation which should eventually spread, not only to the Jews who now rejected him, but to the Gentiles whom they despised.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Here is
Ἰδοὺ (Idou)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

servant,
παῖς (pais)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3816: Perhaps from paio; a boy, or, a girl, and a child; specially, a slave or servant.

whom
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I have chosen,
ᾑρέτισα (hēretisa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 140: To choose. From a derivative of haireomai; to make a choice.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

beloved,
ἀγαπητός (agapētos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 27: From agapao; beloved.

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

whom
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

soul
ψυχή (psychē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

delights.
εὐδόκησεν (eudokēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2106: To be well-pleased, think it good, be resolved. From eu and dokeo; to think well of, i.e. Approve; specially, to approbate.

I will put
θήσω (thēsō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5087: To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Spirit
Πνεῦμά (Pneuma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

on
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

Him,
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

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

He will proclaim
ἀπαγγελεῖ (apangelei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 518: To report (from one place to another), bring a report, announce, declare. From apo and the base of aggelos; to announce.

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

to the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

nations.
ἔθνεσιν (ethnesin)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant whom I have chosen (Matt. Mat Mt)
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