Isaiah 53:3 meaning
In this verse, the prophet Isaiah vividly portrays the profound nature of the Servant, who would be both despised and rejected by humanity. This metaphor highlights the expectations placed upon the Servant and the stark reality of His reception. Isaiah articulates a staggering paradox: although He would possess divine significance as the Messiah, the very people He came to redeem would fail to recognize His value. Instead of being honored, He would be hastily dismissed—viewed as worthless in the eyes of men.
This poignant rejection brings to light the broader theological theme of suffering and identification with human pain. In the context of sacrifice, it speaks not merely to physical affliction but to the weight of collective grief and moral suffering that the Servant would bear for humanity. Ultimately, the text demonstrates that this initial rejection would pave the way for a more profound redemptive purpose, illustrating how through His humiliation, the Servant would achieve healing and restoration for many. Reflections on this verse connect deeply with the notion that God's ways often defy human expectations, calling His followers to recognize the value in what appears most unremarkable.
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Deeper Commentary Covering this Verse:
- Isaiah 53:1-3 meaning. Isaiah continues an unusual prophecy about the Messiah that He began in Isaiah 52:13. He predicts that the neither He nor the Messiah will be believed. The Messiah will be unrecognized, unremarkable, unattractive, despised and forsaken of men, full of grief and sorrows, and misunderstood. This Messianic prophecy is commonly known as the Suffering Servant prophecy.
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Amos 3:3-8 meaning. Amos uses a series of rhetorical questions to announce judgment on the disobedient Israelites.
- Isaiah 53:6 meaning. Isaiah prophesies that all of us like sheep have gone astray in our sin, but instead of punishing us, the LORD caused the sin of the world to fall on the Messiah. This Messianic prophecy is commonly known as the Suffering Servant prophecy.
- Isaiah 53:7-8a meaning. Isaiah predicts that the Messiah will be as mild as a sheep just before it is slaughtered. He will not protest or complain about what is unjustly happening to Him. He will be oppressed and judged. Isaiah prophesies these things in a chiasm. This Messianic prophecy is commonly known as the Suffering Servant prophecy.
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