satisfied. Not disappointed. We have not an impotent Father, or a disappointed Christ, or a defeated Holy Spirit, as is so commonly preached; but an omnipotent Father, an all-victorious Christ, and an almighty Holy Spirit, able to break the hardest heart and subdue the stoutest will. by His knowledge, &c. Punctuate: "Satisfied by His knowledge, My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear", &c. read more
Isaiah 53:11. He shall see of the travail, &c.— "In consideration of what he suffered, he shall afterwards see all his enemies put under his feet; and by his law and his grace he shall reform the world, and prepare them who will believingly receive the benefits of his death for a total and eternal absolution and discharge from the punishment of their sins." Instead of by his knowledge, we may read, by the knowledge of him. Knowledge may be taken here objectively, as the knowledge which he... read more
11. Jehovah is still speaking. see of the travail—He shall see such blessed fruits resulting from His sufferings as amply to repay Him for them (Isaiah 49:4; Isaiah 49:5; Isaiah 50:5; Isaiah 50:9). The "satisfaction," in seeing the full fruit of His travail of soul in the conversion of Israel and the world, is to be realized in the last days (Isaiah 50:9- :). his knowledge—rather, the knowledge (experimentally) of Him (John 17:3; Philippians 3:10). my . . . servant—Messiah (Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah... read more
The Servant satisfied 53:10-12This final stanza gives the explanation for the Servant’s submissive suffering for sinners and so completes the song. read more
After His sacrificial work had ended, the Servant would look back on it with satisfaction, as would Yahweh (cf. 1 John 2:2). The "many" would obtain justification through the knowledge of Him and His work. The "many" is a distinct group, numerous but not all-inclusive, namely: believers. No other work is required but believing what one comes to know, namely: to rely on Him and His work. It is possible that Isaiah meant that the Servant alone would possess knowledge regarding what God required... read more
1-3. The tenses are past (prophetic perfect), the future being viewed as already accomplished.1. The questions are asked by the prophet, and the implied answer is ’No one.’ None or few received the divine message, or recognised the working of Jehovah’s power in His Servant.Arm] cp. Isaiah 51:9; Isaiah 52:10.2. The people here speak. There was nothing in the servant’s appearance to attract them. Shall grow] RV ’grew.’ Before him] i.e. before God. Tender plant, etc.] not like a stately tree, but... read more
(11) He shall see of the travail . . .—Better, On account of the travail of his soul, he shall see, and be refreshed. We may find the truest explanation in the words, “To-day thou shalt be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). The refreshment after travail, because of the travail, was already present to the sufferer’s consciousness.By his knowledge . . .—The phrase admits of two meanings, objective and subjective: (1) by their knowledge of Him; or (2) by His own knowledge; and each expresses a... read more
The Offence of the Cross Isaiah 53:3 Galatians 5:11 Around the Cross a certain romantic interest has gathered, but what the Cross really stands for is an offence, a stumbling-block and a scandal to men. The Prophet Isaiah, with his piercing vision, saw the truth. In his prophecy of Christ he tells us that men shall see no beauty in Him that they should desire Him. The offence of the Cross has not yet ceased. Why? I. The Cross of Christ is the condemnation of the world. It was the condemnation... read more
5CHAPTER XXTHE SUFFERING SERVANTIsaiah 52:13-15; Isaiah 53:1-12WE are now arrived at the last of the passages on the Servant of the Lord. It is known to Christendom as the Fifty-third of Isaiah, but its verses have, unfortunately, been divided between two chapters, Isaiah 52:13-15; Isaiah 53:1-12. Before we attempt the interpretation of this high and solemn passage of Revelation, let us look at its position in our prophecy, and examine its structure.The peculiarities of the style and of the... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 53:1-12
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