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    Isaiah 53 (KJV)

    Read Isaiah chapter 53 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    Isaiah 53

    Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

    Isaiah 53:3

    "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and ac…"

    Isaiah 53:6

    "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one…"

    Isaiah 53:4-5

    "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: ye…"

    Isaiah 53:5

    "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised fo…"

    Isaiah 53:4

    "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: ye…"

    Isaiah 53:7

    "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not hi…"

    Popular Verses in Isaiah 53

    Most searched verses from this chapter, with KJV text and context.

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    Isaiah 53 Summary

    Isaiah 53 is the most detailed messianic prophecy in the Old Testament, written approximately 700 years before Christ. The 'Suffering Servant' is described as despised, rejected, and acquainted with grief. He bears the sins and sorrows of others, is wounded for their transgressions, and crushed for their iniquities.

    The chapter describes a substitutionary sacrifice—'the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.' The Servant is silent before his accusers, cut off from the living, and buried with the rich. Yet he sees his 'seed' and prolongs his days, pointing to resurrection. This chapter has been called 'the gospel according to Isaiah.'

    Key Themes

    Substitutionary atonementThe Suffering ServantRejection and sorrowVicarious sufferingResurrection hope

    Key Verses in Isaiah 53

    "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

    — Isaiah 53:5

    The clearest Old Testament statement of substitutionary atonement—His suffering purchases our peace and healing.

    "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

    — Isaiah 53:6

    Universal human guilt meets singular divine remedy—the gospel in one verse.

    "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter."

    — Isaiah 53:7

    Fulfilled precisely in Jesus' silence before Pilate and the Sanhedrin.

    Life Application

    Isaiah 53 confronts every attempt to earn salvation. The Servant didn't suffer because we were good but because we had all gone astray. When guilt weighs heavy, return to verse 5: His wounds, not your works, are the basis of your peace with God.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do we know Isaiah 53 refers to Jesus?

    The New Testament explicitly applies this passage to Jesus in multiple places (Acts 8:32-35, 1 Peter 2:24-25). The details—rejected, silent trial, crucified with criminals, buried in a rich man's tomb, rising again—match Jesus' life with remarkable precision.

    What do Jewish scholars say about Isaiah 53?

    Modern Jewish interpretation often identifies the Suffering Servant as the nation of Israel. However, ancient Jewish sources, including the Targum Jonathan and various Talmudic passages, applied this passage to the Messiah.

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