He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
When the Pharisees held a council together plotting how they might destroy Him, He did not strive with them nor cry out nor lift His voice in the streets, but withdrew Himself from open conflict to avoid hostility. He continued His work quietly with great multitudes following Him, healed them all, and charged them that they should not make Him known. In this He fulfilled what Isaiah spoke of Behold My Servant whom God chose, His Beloved in whom His soul is well pleased, with the Spirit upon Him to show judgment to the Gentiles.
Not striving, nor crying, nor letting His voice be heard in the streets means He did not enter into quarrels and strife or public quarrelling, or call attention to Himself in public. It means He did not promote Himself through public speeches or self-assertion. His gracious words and merciful deeds revealed His power and character without self-assertion, so that even when He withdrew His influence could not be concealed.
This quiet work for the Gentiles is the pattern of true religion, which is living the Word in practical life by denying self and taking up the cross daily to follow Him. The verse calls for and promises a work outside the church for souls who have not had light, and those who cooperate with Christ in winning them will have its promises fulfilled in their own experience, so no one will have excuse for neglecting this duty. It teaches a quiet, non-contentious way of working that does not bind about the work but lets truth go quickly to all the world in fulfillment of the divine commission, till He send forth judgment unto victory and in His name the Gentiles trust.
When the Pharisees held a council together plotting how they might destroy Him, He did not strive with them nor cry out nor lift His voice in the streets, but withdrew Himself from open conflict to avoid hostility. He continued His work quietly with great multitudes following Him, healed them all, and charged them that they should not make Him known. In this He fulfilled what Isaiah spoke of Behold My Servant whom God chose, His Beloved in whom His soul is well pleased, with the Spirit upon Him to show judgment to the Gentiles.
Not striving, nor crying, nor letting His voice be heard in the streets means He did not enter into quarrels and strife or public quarrelling, or call attention to Himself in public. It means He did not promote Himself through public speeches or self-assertion. His gracious words and merciful deeds revealed His power and character without self-assertion, so that even when He withdrew His influence could not be concealed.
This quiet work for the Gentiles is the pattern of true religion, which is living the Word in practical life by denying self and taking up the cross daily to follow Him. The verse calls for and promises a work outside the church for souls who have not had light, and those who cooperate with Christ in winning them will have its promises fulfilled in their own experience, so no one will have excuse for neglecting this duty. It teaches a quiet, non-contentious way of working that does not bind about the work but lets truth go quickly to all the world in fulfillment of the divine commission, till He send forth judgment unto victory and in His name the Gentiles trust.