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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 50:4-9

Our Lord Jesus, having proved himself able to save, here shows himself as willing as he is able to save, here shows himself as willing as he is able. We suppose the prophet Isaiah to say something of himself in these verses, engaging and encouraging himself to go on in his work as a prophet, notwithstanding the many hardships he met with, not doubting but that God would stand by him and strengthen him; but, like David, he speaks of himself as a type of Christ, who is here prophesied of and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 50:4

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned ,.... These are not the words of the prophet, as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and others think; though what is here said is applicable to ministers of the word, who have to do with weary souls, and it is their work to comfort and refresh them; and which work requires knowledge and experience of their case, a good degree of elocution to speak aptly and with propriety, even to have the tongue of the learned, especially in a spiritual sense; as such... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 50:5

The Lord God hath opened mine ear ,.... To hear most freely, and receive most fully, what is said by him, and to observe and do it: the allusion seems to be to the servant that had his ears bored, being willing to serve his master for ever, Exodus 21:5 which phrase of boring or opening the ear is used of Christ, Psalm 40:6 . It is expressive of his voluntary obedience, as Mediator, to his divine Father, engaging in, and performing with the greatest readiness and cheerfulness, the great... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 50:6

I gave my back to the smiters ,.... To Pontius Pilate, and those he ordered to scourge him, Matthew 27:26 . and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair ; of the beard; which, is painful, so a great indignity and affront. The Septuagint renders it, "and my cheeks to blows"; εις ραπισματα , a word used by the evangelists when they speak of Christ being smitten and stricken with the palms of men's hands, and seem to refer to this passage, Mark 14:65 , I hid not my face from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 50:7

For the Lord God will help me ,.... As he promised he would, and did, Psalm 89:21 , which is no contradiction to the deity of Christ, nor any suggestion of weakness in him; for he is the true God, and has all divine perfections in him; is equal to his Father in power, as well as in glory, and therefore equal to the work of redemption, as his other works show him to be; but this is to be understood of him as man, and expresses his strong faith and confidence in God, and in his promises as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 50:5

Neither turned away back "Neither did I withdraw myself backward" - Eleven MSS. and the oldest edition prefix the conjunction ו vau ; and so also the Septuagint and Syriac. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 50:6

And my cheeks to them that plunked off the hair - The greatest indignity that could possibly be offered. See the note on Isaiah 7:20 ; (note). I hid not my face from shame and spitting - Another instance of the utmost contempt and detestation. It was ordered by the law of Moses as a severe punishment, carrying with it a lasting disgrace; Deuteronomy 25:9 . Among the Medes it was highly offensive to spit in any one's presence, Herod. 1:99; and so likewise among the Persians, Xenophon,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 50:7

Therefore have I set my face like a flint - The Prophet Ezekiel, Ezekiel 2:8 , Ezekiel 2:9 , has expressed this with great force in his bold and vehement manner: "Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, And thy forehead strong against their foreheads: As an adamant, harder than a rock, have I made thy forehead; Fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, Though they be a rebellious house." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 50:4

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned ; literally, the tongue of disciples; i.e. a trained tongue, a well-taught tongue. Christ "did nothing of himself; as the Father had taught him," so he spoke ( John 8:28 ). That I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary; rather, that I shall know how to sustain by a word him that is weary. Compare, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ( Matthew 11:28 ). He... read more

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