Isaiah 52:13-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:13-15

The wisdom of suffering service. The fact that these and the following verses refer to the Messiah is no reason why we should not find in them practical lessons for the guidance of our own life, the culture of our own character. For Christ came, not only to do for us a work which we could not possibly do ourselves, but also to be the Exemplar whom we are to follow in the paths of righteousness and peace. I. OUR FIRST CARE SHOULD BE TO SERVE . He who is the Anointed of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:14

As many were astonied at thee. The world was "astonied" to see, in One come to deliver it, no outward show of grandeur or magnificence, no special beauty or "comeliness" ( Isaiah 53:2 ), but a Presence unattractive to the mass of men at all times, and in the end so cruelly marred and disfigured as to retain scarcely any resemblance to the ordinary form and face of man. The prophet, as Delitzsch says, sits at the foot of the cross on Calvary, and sees the Redeemer as he hung upon the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:14

Surprise at the appearance of God's Servant. Whatever may be the immediate and historical reference of this term "servant," of this we may feel quite sure—the full reference must be to Messiah, and to the Lord Jesus Christ as Messiah. Now, it is certainly singular that no trustworthy traces of the appearance of our Lord have come down to us. Everybody may imagine for himself what were the features and expression of his Divine Master; and it is better that our free imaginations should have no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:15

So shall he sprinkle many nations . The Septuagint has, "So shall many nations marvel at him;" and this translation is followed by Gesenius and Ewald. Mr. Cheyne thinks that the present Hebrew text is corrupt, and suggests that a verb was used antithetical to the "astonied" of Isaiah 52:14 , expressing "joyful surprise." It is certainly hard to see how the idea of "sprinkling," even if it can mean "purifying," comes in here. Kings shall shut their mouths at him ; rather, because of him.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 52:13-15

Notes on Isaiah 52:13-15 and Isaiah 53:1-12The most important portion of Isaiah, and of the Old Testament, commences here, and here should have been the beginning of a new chapter. It is the description of the suffering Messiah, and is continued to the close of the next chapter. As the closing verses of this chapter are connected with the following chapter, and as it is of great importance to have just views of the design of this portion of Isaiah, it is proper in this place to give an analysis... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 52:13

Isaiah 52:13. Behold, my servant, &c. This is the beginning of a new prophecy, continued from hence to the end of the next chapter, which, as has been justly observed by many, both ancient and modern interpreters, should have begun here. “The subject of Isaiah’s prophecy, from the fortieth chapter inclusive, has hitherto been, in general, the deliverance of the people of God. This includes in it three distinct parts: the deliverance of the Jews from the captivity of Babylon, the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 52:14-15

Isaiah 52:14-15. As many were astonished at thee At thee, O my servant: were struck with wonder at his glorious endowments, at the excellence and power of his doctrine, and his miraculous works, or rather, at his humiliation. His visage was so marred, &c. Christ, in respect of his birth, breeding, manner of life, and outward condition in the world, was obscure and contemptible, and therefore said to be a worm, and no man, a reproach of men, and despised of the people, Psalms 22:6,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 52:13-15

The servant’s suffering and glory (52:13-53:12)Just as people were startled at the sight of the servant’s great sufferings, so will they be startled at the sight of his great glory. They will be struck dumb, as it were, as they witness a sight more glorious than they or anyone else could ever have imagined (13-15).Many people find it hard to believe that God will give his servant such power and magnificence, because when they look at the servant they see just an ordinary person of insignificant... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 52:13

My Servant. The Messiah. See note on Isaiah 37:35 . humbled . exalted. extrolled. be very high. Figure of speech Anabasis , for great emphasis = riseth. is lifted up. becometh very high (compare Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:9-11 ). deal prudently = prosper. Compare 1 Samuel 18:14 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 52:14

As = According as. This corresponds with the "so" of Isaiah 52:15 (not with the "so" in the next clause, which is parenthetic). astonied: corresponding with the word rendered "sprinkle" in Isaiah 52:15 . From Old English estonner . Nine times so spelled, from Wycliff and Geneva Bible. Chaucer spells it "astoned"; Spenser, "astownd". so marred: pointing to the depth of the humiliation, as set forth in detail in Isaiah 53:4-10 . Compare Matthew 26:67 , Matthew 26:68 ; Matthew 27:27-30 . any... read more

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