Editorial journey

The Suffering Servant

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Isaiah 52:13 to 53:12 is quoted again and again in the New Testament, several times with Isaiah named. Follow it into the Gospels, Acts and 1 Peter.

Written by HonestApologist's editors. The labels below are our own reading, checked against the Bible texts on this site; they are not part of the cross-reference dataset. Scripture in the notes and steps: King James Version (with Apocrypha). Old Testament steps can also be read in the Septuagint.

  1. Step 1: Isaiah 52:13–15

    "Behold, my servant": the song begins with the Servant exalted, though his appearance was marred more than any man's.

    Isaiah 52:13–15

    KJV

    13 ¶ Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

    14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

    15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for [that] which had not been told them shall they see; and [that] which they had not heard shall they consider.

    Open in the Bible readerKing James Version (with Apocrypha). Public domain.
  2. Step 2: Isaiah 53:1–3

    Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1

    "Who hath believed our report?" The Servant is despised and rejected, a man of sorrows.

    Isaiah 53:1–3

    KJV

    1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

    2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and 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.

    3 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.

    Open in the Bible readerKing James Version (with Apocrypha). Public domain.
    Orthodox and patristic reading

    “Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Sceptre of the majesty of God, did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance”

    St Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians 16. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 9 (tr. John Keith), via New Advent. Clement then quotes all of Isaiah 53.. Read the source

    Also in the cross-reference dataset (21 votes).

  3. Step 3: John 12:37–38

    Quotation The later text quotes the earlier one, often saying so ("that the scripture might be fulfilled"). Connects to step 2

    St John names Isaiah as he quotes the opening question of the song. St Paul quotes it too (Romans 10:16).

    John 12:37–38

    KJV

    37 ¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

    38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

    Open in the Bible readerKing James Version (with Apocrypha). Public domain.
    The wording, checked against the texts on this site
    • John 12:38 (KJV): That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled
    • Isaiah 53:1 (KJV): Who hath believed our report

    Also in the cross-reference dataset (76 votes).

  4. Step 4: Isaiah 53:4–6

    Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1

    "Surely he hath borne our griefs... with his stripes we are healed."

    Isaiah 53:4–6

    KJV

    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.

    Open in the Bible readerKing James Version (with Apocrypha). Public domain.

    Also in the cross-reference dataset (10 votes).

  5. Step 5: Matthew 8:16–17

    Quotation The later text quotes the earlier one, often saying so ("that the scripture might be fulfilled"). Connects to step 4

    St Matthew quotes Isaiah 53:4 by name about Christ's healings: "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."

    Matthew 8:16–17

    KJV

    16 ¶ When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with [his] word, and healed all that were sick:

    17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare [our] sicknesses.

    Open in the Bible readerKing James Version (with Apocrypha). Public domain.
    The wording, checked against the texts on this site
    • Matthew 8:17 (KJV): That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet
    • Isaiah 53:4 (KJV): Surely he hath borne our griefs

    Also in the cross-reference dataset (96 votes).

  6. Step 6: 1 Peter 2:21–25

    Shared wording The later text repeats distinctive words of the earlier one. Both wordings are shown below. Connects to step 4

    St Peter weaves the song's words into his teaching on Christ's suffering: "by whose stripes ye were healed... ye were as sheep going astray."

    1 Peter 2:21–25

    KJV

    21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

    22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

    23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

    24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

    25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

    Open in the Bible readerKing James Version (with Apocrypha). Public domain.
    The wording, checked against the texts on this site
    • Isaiah 53:5 (KJV): with his stripes we are healed
    • 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV): by whose stripes ye were healed

    Also in the cross-reference dataset (250 votes).

  7. Step 7: Isaiah 53:7–8

    Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1

    "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb."

    Isaiah 53:7–8

    KJV

    7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

    8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

    Open in the Bible readerKing James Version (with Apocrypha). Public domain.

    Not listed in the cross-reference dataset.

  8. Step 8: Acts 8:30–35

    Quotation The later text quotes the earlier one, often saying so ("that the scripture might be fulfilled"). Connects to step 7

    The Ethiopian official is reading this very passage and asks of whom the prophet speaks. St Philip "began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."

    Acts 8:30–35

    KJV

    30 And Philip ran thither to [him], and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

    31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

    32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

    33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

    34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

    35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

    Open in the Bible readerKing James Version (with Apocrypha). Public domain.
    The wording, checked against the texts on this site
    • Acts 8:32 (KJV): The place of the scripture which he read was this
    • Acts 8:35 (KJV): began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus

    Also in the cross-reference dataset (68 votes).

  9. Step 9: Isaiah 53:12

    Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1

    "He was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

    Isaiah 53:12

    KJV

    12 Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

    Open in the Bible readerKing James Version (with Apocrypha). Public domain.

    Also in the cross-reference dataset (5 votes).

  10. Step 10: Luke 22:37

    Quotation The later text quotes the earlier one, often saying so ("that the scripture might be fulfilled"). Connects to step 9

    On the night before His Passion, Christ applies the last verse of the song to Himself: "this that is written must yet be accomplished in me."

    Luke 22:37

    KJV

    37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

    Open in the Bible readerKing James Version (with Apocrypha). Public domain.
    The wording, checked against the texts on this site
    • Luke 22:37 (KJV): this that is written must yet be accomplished in me
    • Isaiah 53:12 (KJV): numbered with the transgressors

    Also in the cross-reference dataset (29 votes).