But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many (people) followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "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. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope." (Mt 12:14-21)
Pharisees took council against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. The reason for this action was that Jesus went about preaching the kingdom and he was curing and doing miracles. Pharisees found this to be strange. Pharisees wanted to maintain the status quo. They wanted the people to remain ignorant and they wanted the people to be in their sicknesses and diseases. Society should go on as it was.
People followed Jesus in great number. Jesus was where the people were. He also did not want the people to make him known to others. Strange though it may look that Jesus wanted the people to know where he was and he wanted the people to come to him and be healed etc. But he did not want his opponents to know where he was. He withdrew from the places of opposition.
All these happened to fulfil the Scriptures. Scriptures foretold about Jesus or the people found in Jesus the Scriptures being fulfilled. He was not a man to disturb others. He would not even disturb by a loud voice (A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench). His aim was to bring justice to victory and be hope of the Gentiles.
