The Messiah in Isaiah 53: Four Recurring Themes

Often called the “Song of the Suffering Servant,” Isaiah 53 is one of the most prominent Old Testament passages that prophesy about Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Philip clearly tells us that the servant described here is Jesus Christ (Acts 8:26–35). Matthew, Peter, and Paul also understood that at least portions, if not all, of this chapter referred to Jesus (see Matt. 8:17; 1 Pet. 2:24–25; Rom. 4:25).

Isaiah 53 sets forth four recurring themes:

1. The Messiah’s sufferings. These pertain to what He suffered during the persecutions of His mortal ministry but more especially to the sufferings of the last twenty-four hours of His life.

2. The Messiah’s assumption of our burdens and sins. Isaiah provides great details regarding this subject with his use of specific words such as “iniquities,” “transgressions,” and “sins.” Note that in addition to bearing our sins, Jesus also bore our griefs and sorrows.

3. The Messiah’s death. Note again Isaiah’s specificity with his words that prophesy of Jesus’s death—“slaughter,” “cut off from the living,” “his grave,” and “death” (twice).

4. The Messiah’s reward. Isaiah provides six separate prophetic statements about the Messiah’s reward. Note that the reward does not pertain to gold, silver, or treasures but to eternal blessings.

These four themes are intermingled throughout the chapter and provide very detailed descriptions of the Lord’s sufferings and Atonement.