Isaiah 53
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Who hath believed our report? - The report of the prophets, of John the Baptist, and Christ's own report of himself. The Jews did not receive the report, and for this reason he was not manifested to them as the promised Messiah. 'He came unto his own, but his own received him not.' Before the Father he grew up as a tender plant: but to the Jews he was as a root out of a dry ground. 'He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.'
Open source ↗MAN'S UNBELIEF: MESSIAH'S VICARIOUS SUFFERINGS, AND FINAL TRIUMPH FOR MAN. (Isa 53:1-12) report--literally, "the thing heard," referring to which sense Paul says, "So, then, faith cometh by hearing" (Rom 10:16-17). arm--power (Isa 40:10); exercised in miracles and in saving men (Rom 1:16; Co1 1:18). The prophet, as if present during Messiah's ministry on earth, is deeply moved to see how few believed on Him (Isa 49:4; Mar 6:6; Mar 9:19; Act 1:15). Two reasons are given why all ought to have believed: (1) The "report" of the "ancient prophets." (2) "The arm of Jehovah" exhibited in Messiah while on earth. In HORSLEY'S view, this will be the penitent confession of the Jews, "How few of our nation, in Messiah's days, believed in Him!"
Open source ↗Who hath believed our report?.... Or "hearing" (a). Not what we hear, but others hear from us; the doctrine of the Gospel, which is a report of the love, grace, and mercy of God in Christ; of Christ himself, his person, offices, obedience, sufferings, and death, and of free and full salvation by him: it is a good report, a true and faithful one, and to be believed, and yet there are always but few that give credit to it; there were but few in the times of the Prophet Isaiah that believed what he had before reported, or was about to report, concerning the Messiah; and but few in the times of Christ and his apostles, whom the prophet here represented; for to those times are the words applied, Joh 12:38, the Jews had the report first made unto them, and saw the facts that were done, and yet believed not; when Gentile kings, and their subjects, listened with the most profound silence, and heard with the greatest attention and reverence, as in the latter part of the preceding chapter, to which some think this is opposed; wherefore some begin the text with the adversative particle "but". According to the Septuagint and Arabic versions, the words are directed to God the Father, for they render them, "Lord, who hath believed", &c.; and so they are quoted in the above places in the New Testament: and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? meaning either the Gospel itself, the power of God unto salvation, hidden from the generality of men; for though externally, yet not internally revealed and made known; which to do is the Lord's work, and is owing to his special grace: or Christ, who is the power of God, by whom all the works of creation, providence, grace, and salvation, are wrought; and by whom the blessings of grace are dispensed; and by whom the Lord upholds all things, a…
Open source ↗But, says the second turn in Isa 53:1-3, the man of sorrows was despised among us, and the prophecy as to his future was not believed. We hear the first lamentation (the question is, From whose mouth does it come?) in Isa 53:1 : "Who hath believed our preaching; and the arm of Jehovah, over whom has it been revealed?" "I was formerly mistaken," says Hofmann (Schriftbeweis, ii. 1, 159, 160), "as to the connection between Isa 53:1 and Isa 52:13-15, and thought that the Gentiles were the speakers in the former, simply because it was to them that the latter referred. But I see now that I was in error. It is affirmed of the heathen, that they have never heard before the things which they now see with their eyes. Consequently it cannot be they who exclaim, or in whose name the inquiry is made, Who hath believed our preaching?" Moreover, it cannot be they, both because the redemption itself and the exaltation of the Mediator of the redemption are made known to them from the midst of Israel as already accomplished facts, and also because according to Isa 52:15 (cf., Isa 49:7; Isa 42:4; Isa 51:5) they hear the things unheard of before, with amazement which passes into reverent awe, as the satisfaction of their own desires, in other words, with the glad obedience of faith. And we may also add, that the expression in Isa 53:8, "for the transgression of my people," would be quite out of place in the mouths of Gentiles, and that, as a general rule, words attributed to Gentiles ought to be expressly introduced as theirs. Whenever we find a "we" introduced abruptly in the midst of a prophecy, it is always Israel that speaks, including the prophet himself (Isa 42:24; Isa 64:5; Isa 16:6; Isa 24:16, etc.). Hofmann therefore very properly rejects the view advocated by many, from Calvin do…
Open source ↗The prophet, in the close of the former chapter, had foreseen and foretold the kind reception which the gospel of Christ should find among the Gentiles, that nations and their kings should bid it welcome, that those who had not seen him should believe in him; and though they had not any prophecies among them of gospel grace, which might raise their expectations, and dispose them to entertain it, yet upon the first notice of it they should give it its due weight and consideration. Now here he foretels, with wonder, the unbelief of the Jews, notwithstanding the previous notices they had of the coming of the Messiah in the Old Testament and the opportunity they had of being personally acquainted with him. Observe here, I. The contempt they put upon the gospel of Christ, Isa 53:1. The unbelief of the Jews in our Saviour's time is expressly said to be the fulfilling of this word, Joh 12:38. And it is applied likewise to the little success which the apostles' preaching met with among Jews and Gentiles, Rom 10:16. Note, 1. Of the many that hear the report of the gospel there are few, very few, that believe it. It is reported openly and publicly, not whispered in a corner, or confined to the schools, but proclaimed to all; and it is so faithful a saying, and so well worthy of all acceptation, that one would think it should be universally received and believed. But it is quite otherwise; few believed the prophets who spoke before of Christ; when he came himself none of the rulers nor of the Pharisees followed him, and but here and there one of the common people; and, when the apostles carried this report all the world over, some in every place believed, but comparatively very few. To this day, of the many that profess to believe this report, there are few that cordially embrace…
Open source ↗53:1 our message: The identity of the speaker has been debated—the main possibilities are (1) a faithful remnant of Israel, and (2) Isaiah himself. Most likely, Isaiah the prophet was speaking for and with Israel. • powerful arm: God’s strength, so dramatically described in the previous chapters (see 50:2; 51:5, 9; 52:10), would actually manifest itself in weakness and apparent helplessness through the servant’s humiliation and exaltation (see 1 Cor 1:27-30).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אָמַן (ʼâman, H539) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render… שְׁמוּעָה (shᵉmûwʻâh, H8052) — something heard, i.e. an announcement זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being…
Open source ↗עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יוֹנֵק (yôwnêq, H3126) — a sucker; hence, a twig (of a tree felled and sprouting) שֶׁרֶשׁ (sheresh, H8328) — a root (literally or figuratively) צִיָּה (tsîyâh, H6723) — aridity; concretely, a desert אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) תֹּאַר (tôʼar, H8389) — outline, i.e. figure or appearance הָדָר (hâdâr, H1926) — magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… מַרְאֶה (marʼeh, H4758) — a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape… חָמַד (châmad, H2530) — to delight in
Open source ↗בָּזָה (bâzâh, H959) — to disesteem חָדֵל (châdêl, H2310) — vacant, i.e. ceasing or destitute אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מַכְאֹב (makʼôb, H4341) — anguish or (figuratively) affliction יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… חֳלִי (chŏlîy, H2483) — malady, anxiety, calamity מַסְתֵּר (maçtêr, H4564) — properly, a hider, i.e. (abstractly) a hiding, i.e. aversion פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to…
Open source ↗אָכֵן (ʼâkên, H403) — firmly; figuratively, surely; also (advers.) but נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative חֳלִי (chŏlîy, H2483) — malady, anxiety, calamity סָבַל (çâbal, H5445) — to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be… מַכְאֹב (makʼôb, H4341) — anguish or (figuratively) affliction חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various…
Open source ↗חָלַל (châlal, H2490) — properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane… פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) דָּכָא (dâkâʼ, H1792) — to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively) עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… חַבּוּרָה (chabbûwrâh, H2250) — properly, bound (with stripes), i.e. a weal (or black-and-blue mark itself) רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7495) — properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure
Open source ↗צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) תָּעָה (tâʻâh, H8582) — to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פָּגַע (pâgaʻ, H6293) — to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
Open source ↗נָגַשׂ (nâgas, H5065) — to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass,… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… יָבַל (yâbal, H2986) — properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp) שֶׂה (seh, H7716) — a member of a flock, i.e. a sheep or goat טֶבַח (ṭebach, H2874) — properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly… רָחֵל (râchêl, H7353) — a ewe (the females being the predominant element of a flock) (as a good traveller) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… גַּזָז (gazâz, H1494) — to cut off; specifically to shear aflock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an… אָלַם (ʼâlam, H481) — to tie fast; hence (of the mouth) to be tongue-tied
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) עֹצֶר (ʻôtser, H6115) — closure; also constraint מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… שִׂיחַ (sîyach, H7878) — to ponder, i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud) or… דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling גָּזַר (gâzar, H1504) — to cut down or off; (figuratively) to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נֶגַע (negaʻ, H5061) — a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קֶבֶר (qeber, H6913) — a sepulchre רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person עָשִׁיר (ʻâshîyr, H6223) — rich, whether literal or figurative (noble) מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain מִרְמָה (mirmâh, H4820) — fraud פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);…
Open source ↗חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּכָא (dâkâʼ, H1792) — to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively) חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) — properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… אָשָׁם (ʼâshâm, H817) — guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity אָרַךְ (ʼârak, H748) — to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… חֵפֶץ (chêphets, H2656) — pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a… צָלַח (tsâlach, H6743) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant צָדַק (tsâdaq, H6663) — to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense) רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) סָבַל (çâbal, H5445) — to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be… עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
Open source ↗חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) שָׁלָל (shâlâl, H7998) — booty עָצוּם (ʻâtsûwm, H6099) — powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous עָרָה (ʻârâh, H6168) — to be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… מָנָה (mânâh, H4487) — properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to… פָּשַׁע (pâshaʻ, H6586) — to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative חֵטְא (chêṭᵉʼ, H2399) — a crime or its penalty פָּגַע (pâgaʻ, H6293) — to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
Open source ↗Cross-references
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This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
The LORD has sworn by His right hand and by His mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain to your enemies for food, nor will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled.