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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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 50:4

The hearing ear and the helpful tongue. The whole passage ( Isaiah 50:4-9 ) is strikingly appropriate to the spirit and the work of the Messiah; and this verse as much as the rest. For it was true in no small measure: 1 . That Jesus received continual communications from the Divine Father. "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise" ( John 5:19 ; see also John 3:11 ; John 5:30 ; John... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 50:4

Words in season. The ability to speak suitable words, timely, wise, and helpful, is God's gift, and one of his best gifts, which we should covet earnestly. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver" ( Proverbs 25:11 ). We are often pleasantly, and often sadly, reminded how words which we spoke years ago lie in the memories of those who heard, and have exerted continuous influence for weal or woe. And there are few of us who look back over life without regret that... read more

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