Isaiah 53 belongs to a group of passages about “the servant of the Lord” (Isaiah 42, 49, 50 and 52–53). This servant is rejected, wounded and silent before his accusers, yet through his suffering many are made righteous.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
King James Version
What the passage says
- Rejected (verses 1–3): he had no outward beauty and was despised.
- In our place (verses 4–6): he carried our griefs and was wounded for our transgressions.
- Silent (verses 7–9): like a lamb led to the slaughter, he did not open his mouth.
- Vindicated (verses 10–12): after his suffering he will see light and justify many.
How the New Testament reads it
When an Ethiopian official read this passage on the road to Gaza, Philip began from it and told him about Jesus (Acts 8:32–35). Peter also quotes it: “by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Christians read Isaiah 53 as a picture of the cross.
Questions for a small group
- Which verse helps you understand the cross better?
- Why do you think the servant stays silent?
- How does verse 6 describe all of us?
Read the whole chapter in the online Bible. It is a strong reading for a communion service or for Holy Week.
