Isaiah 53:1
What does Isaiah 53:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 53:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 53:1 means
This verse opens with a lament, highlighting widespread unbelief in the message concerning God's Servant and His redemptive power. The "arm of Jehovah" symbolizes God's strength and saving power, which, despite being powerfully at work, remained unrecognized and uncredited by many. The prophet expresses sorrow that such a vital truth—the revelation of God's redemptive plan through the Servant—was met with skepticism and rejection, indicating the spiritual blindness of those who witnessed His ministry. It signifies the difficulty people faced in grasping the nature of His mission, looking for power and visible glory rather than humility and suffering.
Isaiah 53:1 in context
Isaiah 53 — The Suffering Servant
Seven hundred years before Calvary, Isaiah describes a servant despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief, who is wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace is upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. He is led as a lamb to the slaughter and yet by his knowledge shall justify many. No other Old Testament passage so clearly anticipates the cross. The New Testament writers quote it again and again as the master-key to the meaning of Christ's death.
- Substitutionary atonement
- Messianic prophecy
- The Lamb of God
- Justification
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who would have had faith in the word which has come to our ears, and to whom had the arm of the Lord been unveiled?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Who hath given credence to that which we heard? And the arm of Jehovah, On whom hath it been revealed?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who a hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?
Context
This verse serves as a crucial introduction to the entire chapter, setting a somber tone that contrasts sharply with the glorious expectations many held for the Messiah. It immediately establishes the theme of rejection and a lack of spiritual discernment, preparing the reader for the shocking description of the Suffering Servant that follows. It frames the subsequent verses as a difficult truth that few were willing to accept or understand.
v.1This passage
v.2For he grew 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 see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 51:9
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of Jehovah; awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Is it not thou that didst cut Rahab in pieces, that didst pierce the monster?
- Isaiah 52:10
Jehovah hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
- Isaiah 40:5
and the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.
- 1 Corinthians 1:24
but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
- John 12:38
that the word of Isaiah 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?
- Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Sermon ideas from Isaiah 53:1
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Isaiah 53:1 teaches us about substitutionary atonement
What Isaiah 53:1 teaches us about messianic prophecy
What Isaiah 53:1 teaches us about the lamb of god
What Isaiah 53:1 teaches us about justification
Related questions readers ask
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Want to dig deeper? Explore Isaiah 53
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Isaiah 53.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Atonement
Atonement, a central doctrine of Christianity, describes how humanity is reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
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Bible Verses About Intercession
Intercession is prayer offered on behalf of another, a selfless act of love and faith that demonstrates our care for others.
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Bible Verses About Propitiation
Propitiation refers to the appeasement of God's wrath through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, making reconciliation possible.
What the Bible says about…
Answer
What does the Bible say about healing?
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Answer
What does the Bible say about suffering?
Our light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory.
Answer
What does the Bible say about anxiety?
Cast your worries on him, because he cares for you.
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