What Does Matthew 12:19 Mean in the King James?
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Justice here arrives without fighting for the street’s attention.
THE MEANING
The servant’s strength meets you without quarrel or public self-display. It does not need to dominate the street or win an argument to carry justice.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that a voice must become louder and more combative to have authority.
THE ROOT
ἐρίζω
erizō
GROWS FROM
ἐριζ-
eriz-
Contend, wrangle, or quarrel.
“strive” in this verse is erizō. The Greek word points to contention, not effort in general. The servant’s restraint is a refusal to turn the work of justice into a quarrel.
ALSO GROWS
eris: Strife or quarrel.
ἔρις
The same word-family names the conflict itself, showing that “strive” here is bound to contention.
erizō: To contend or wrangle.
ἐρίζω
This verb gives the act of entering that conflict; the servant does not take up the quarrel.
κραυγάζω
kraugazō
GROWS FROM
κραυγ-
kraug-
A loud cry or outcry.
“cry” in this verse is kraugazō. This word-family carries the sense of a shout or outcry. The verse extends the servant’s restraint from quarrel to public noise: the work does not need to take over the street to be present.
ALSO GROWS
kraugē: A cry or outcry.
κραυγή
The related noun names the loud sound itself, making the verse’s quietness more concrete.
kraugazō: To cry aloud or shout.
κραυγάζω
The verb names the public vocal act the servant does not use to command attention.
THE PATTERN
The servant carries justice without making contention or public noise its instrument.
He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.THE THREAD
He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.Isaiah describes the servant with the same refusal to cry out and make his voice heard in the street. This places the verse’s restraint within a larger pattern: justice can be present without turning itself into public force.
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