Better Bibles Blog

WoundedEgo

Here is the NET Bible on Isaiah 53, which gives us some clue to the various way this passage can be read:

Isa 53:1 Who would have believed1 what we2 just heard?3
When4 was the LORD’s power5 revealed through him?
Isa 53:2 He sprouted up like a twig before God,6
like a root out of parched soil;7
he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention,8
no special appearance that we should want to follow him.9
Isa 53:3 He was despised and rejected by people,10
one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness;
people hid their faces from him;11
he was despised, and we considered him insignificant.12
Isa 53:4 But he lifted up our illnesses,
he carried our pain;13
even though we thought he was being punished,
attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done.14
Isa 53:5 He was wounded because of15 our rebellious deeds,
crushed because of our sins;
he endured punishment that made us well;16
because of his wounds we have been healed.17
Isa 53:6 All of us had wandered off like sheep;
each of us had strayed off on his own path,
but the LORD caused the sin of all of us to attack him.18
Isa 53:7 He was treated harshly and afflicted,19
but he did not even open his mouth.
Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block,
like a sheep silent before her shearers,
he did not even open his mouth.20
Isa 53:8 He was led away after an unjust trial21 —
but who even cared?22
Indeed, he was cut off from the land of the living;23
because of the rebellion of his own24 people he was wounded.
Isa 53:9 They intended to bury him with criminals,25
but he ended up in a rich man’s tomb,26
because27 he had committed no violent deeds,
nor had he spoken deceitfully.
Isa 53:10 Though the LORD desired to crush him and make him ill,
once restitution is made,28
he will see descendants and enjoy long life,29
and the LORD’s purpose will be accomplished through him.
Isa 53:11 Having suffered, he will reflect on his work,
he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done.30
“My servant31 will acquit many,32
for he carried their sins.33
Isa 53:12 So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes,34
he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful,35
because he willingly submitted36 to death
and was numbered with the rebels,
when he lifted up the sin of many
and intervened37 on behalf of the rebels.”

It seems to dovetail nicely with Matthew’s reading:

Matthew 8:
14 ¶ And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.
15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
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.

There is much, much, much to consider on the “slant” that people take with this passage!

Gary Simmons

This one’s not based on any Scripture, but still. Allow me to reintroduce the Christ.