What Does Matthew 12:20 Mean in the King James?

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Matthew 12:20 · KJV

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

Here, victory comes through judgment that refuses to break what is bent or extinguish what is barely burning.

THE MEANING

The one who sees you does not finish off what is already bruised or snuff out what is barely alive. His discernment keeps moving toward victory while preserving the fragile life it meets.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that weakness makes you disposable, or that justice must crush the already wounded to prevail.

THE ROOT

κρίσιν

krisin

GROWS FROM

κρίνω

To distinguish, decide, or judge.

⁨Κρίσις⁩ (krisis, judgment) grows from ⁨κρίνω⁩ (krinō, to distinguish or decide). Its branches include ⁨κριτής⁩ (kritēs, a judge) and ⁨κρίμα⁩ (krima, a decision or verdict): judgment carries discernment toward an outcome. Here that outcome is not complete until it reaches victory, and its path preserves the bruised and dimly burning.

ALSO GROWS

kritēs: Judge

κριτής

This branch names the one who discerns and decides; the verse shows that judgment in action protecting what is fragile.

krima: Decision or verdict

κρίμα

This branch names the outcome of judgment; here the outcome moves toward victory without first extinguishing the weak.

THE PATTERN

God’s justice advances by preserving the bruised and dimly burning until life reaches its intended end.

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Isaiah 42:3 · KJVThe same image shows justice emerging without breaking the bruised or extinguishing the dim flame.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 34:18 · KJVThe LORD draws near to those already broken and brings deliverance close to their distress.

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

2 Corinthians 4:9 · KJVBeing cast down does not mean being abandoned or brought to an end.

THE THREAD

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.

Matthew 12:18 · KJV

The same Greek word ⁨κρίσις⁩ (krisis, judgment) appears in both verses. Verse 18 names the work; verse 20 reveals its manner: judgment moves toward victory without crushing what is bruised or quenching what still burns.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us