Isaiah 53:10-11

10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes[a] his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life[b] and be satisfied[c] ; by his knowledge[d] my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:10-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 53

This chapter treats of the mean appearance of Christ in human nature, his sufferings in it, and the glory that should follow. It begins with a complaint of the small number of those that believed the report concerning him, the power of God not being exerted, Isa 53:1, the reason of this general disbelief was the meanness of his outward circumstances, and the want of comeliness in him; hence he was treated with general neglect and contempt, Isa 52:2,3 was the more unkind and ungenerous, since it was the griefs and sorrows of others he bore, and their sins also, for which he was wounded and bruised, that they might have healing, Isa 53:4-6, yet he took and bore all patiently, like a lamb at the slaughter, and the sheep under the shearer, Isa 53:7, which was the more extraordinary, since he was used, both in life and at death, in so rigorous and barbarous a manner, and all for the sins of others, having been guilty of none himself, Isa 53:8,9, and, what is most amazing, the Lord himself had a hand in grieving and bruising him, Isa 53:10, though for his encouragement, and a reward to him, as man and Mediator, for all his sufferings, it is intimated that he should succeed and prosper, have a numerous issue, should justify many, and have a portion and spoil divided with the great and mighty, Isa 53:10-12.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Isaiah 46:10; Isaiah 55:11; Acts 2:23
  • 2. ver 5
  • 3. S ver 3; S Genesis 12:17
  • 4. S Leviticus 5:15; John 3:17
  • 5. S Psalms 22:30
  • 6. S Joshua 1:8; S Isaiah 49:4
  • 7. John 10:14-18
  • 8. S Job 33:30
  • 9. S Isaiah 20:3; Acts 7:52
  • 10. S Isaiah 6:7; John 1:29; Acts 10:43; S Romans 4:25; Romans 5:18-19
  • 11. S Exodus 28:38

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. Hebrew "though you make"
  • [b]. Dead Sea Scrolls (see also Septuagint); Masoretic Text does not have "the light of life."
  • [c]. Or (with Masoretic Text) 11"He will see the fruit of his suffering" / "and will be satisfied"
  • [d]. Or "by knowledge of him"
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