Keraia
Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53:3

The Suffering Servant · Isaiah 53:1–8
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Translations

Modern
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
Traditional
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Literal
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with weakness; and like one from whom they hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Latin
…despectum, et novissimum virorum, virum dolorum, et scientem infirmitatem, et quasi absconditus vultus ejus et despectus, unde nec reputavimus eum.

Original

Hebrew
English
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Notes

Isaiah 53:3

  • a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief: The servant would suffer deeply. He would know pain and sadness from personal experience.

    He would fully experience the results of human sin and the fall (the time when the first humans disobeyed God and brought suffering into the world).

  • we esteemed Him not: People would not see how someone weak and insignificant could help them, so they would ignore his suffering.

Isaiah 52:13–53:12

This is the fourth of four passages that speak about the promised servant (see study note on Isaiah 42:1–4). The Hebrew poem is carefully constructed in five three-line stanzas.It begins with the servant’s exaltation (52:13), proceeds to his humiliation (52:14–53:9), and ends with his exaltation (53:10–12).

The faithful servant’s suffering would bring reconciliation between God and humans. The Lord Jesus perfectly fulfilled this prophecy (see Isaiah 40; Matthew 8:17; Acts 8:30–35; Romans 10:15–17; 15:21; 1 Peter 2:24–25).

Events

Parallels

Acts 8:26–40 1 Peter 2:21–25

Glossary

Baptism of Jesus Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Blood Body of Christ Church Gaza Gospel of Matthew Honor Imputation Isaiah (Person) Isaiah, Book of Jesus Christ, Teachings of Lamb of God Lord’s Supper, the Messiah New Creation, New Creature Philip Psalms, Book of Servant Servant of the Lord Son of Man Suffering Suffering Servant

Topics

Contempt: The Wicked Exhibit Towards: Christ Helping Those Who Hurt Jesus Wept Jesus, the Christ: Design of his Death Jesus, the Christ: Names, Appellations, and Titles of: Man of Sorrows Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Rejected Offense: The Wicked Take, At: The Low Station of Christ Persecution of Jesus Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Their Rejection of the Messiah Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Visage Being Marred Rejection Scorning and Mocking: The Sufferings of Christ By, Predicted The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Being a Man of Sorrows The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Exposing Himself to Reproach and Contempt The Jews: Christ: Rejected By Unbelief: General Scriptures Concerning