1._Who will believe our report? _This division, or rather dismemberment, of the chapter, ought to be disregarded; for it ought to have begun with the thirteenth verse of the former chapter, and these words ought to be connected with what goes before. (50) Here the Prophet pauses, as it were, in the... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Yet he shall grow up before him as a twig. _This verse refers to what was formerly said, that Christ will at first have no magnificence or outward display among men; but that before God he will nevertheless be highly exalted, and will be held in estimation. Hence we see that we must not judge of... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Despised and rejected. _This verse conveys the same statement as the preceding, namely, that Christ will be “rejected” by men, in consequence of their beholding in him nothing but grief and infirmity. These things needed to be often repeated to the Jews, that they might not form a false conceptio... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Surely he carried our sicknesses. _The particle אכן (_aken_) is not only a strong affirmation, but is likewise equivalent to _for, _and assigns a reason of something which went before, and which might have been thought new and strange; for it is a monstrous thing that he to whom God has given sup... [ Continue Reading ]
5._And he was wounded for our iniquities. _He again repeats the cause of Christ’s great afflictions, in order to meet the scandal which might have arisen from it. The spectacle of the cross alienates many persons from Christ, when they consider what is presented to their eyes, and do not observe the... [ Continue Reading ]
6._We all, like sheep, have gone astray. _In order to impress more deeply on our hearts the benefit of the death of Christ, he shows how necessary is that healing which he formerly mentioned. If we do not perceive our wretchedness and poverty, we shall never know how desirable is that remedy which C... [ Continue Reading ]
7._He was punished. _Here the Prophet applauds the obedience of Christ in suffering death; for if his death had not been voluntary, he would not have been regarded as having satisfied for our disobedience. “As by one man’s disobedience,” says Paul, “all became sinners, so by one man’s obedience many... [ Continue Reading ]
8._From prison and judgment. _There are various ways in which this passage is expounded. Some think that the Prophet continues the argument which he had already begun to treat, namely, that Christ was smitten by the hand of God, and afflicted, on account of our sins. The Greek translators render it,... [ Continue Reading ]
9._And he laid open to wicked men his grave. _Jerome renders it, “And he gave wicked men for burial;” as if the Prophet spake of the punishment by which the Lord took vengeance for the sin of wicked men, who crucified Christ. But he rather speaks of the death of Christ, and of the fruit of it, and s... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Yet Jehovah was pleased to bruise him. _This illustrates more fully what I formerly stated in few words, that the Prophet, in asserting Christ’s innocence, aims at something more than to defend him from all reproach. The object therefore is, that we should consider the cause, in order to have ex... [ Continue Reading ]
11._From the labor of his soul he shall see. _Isaiah continues the same subject. He declares that Christ, after having suffered, shall obtain the fruit of his death in the salvation of men. When he says, “He shall see,” we must supply the words, “Fruit and Efficacy.” This is full of the sweetest con... [ Continue Reading ]
12._Therefore will I divide to him a portion. _Isaiah again declares what will be the result of the death of Christ. It was necessary that he should add this doctrine as to the victory which Christ obtained by his death; for what was formerly stated, that by his death we are reconciled to the Father... [ Continue Reading ]