The One who vindicates Me is near. Who will dare to contend with Me? Let us confront each other! Who has a case against Me? Let him approach Me!
Parallel translations
- WEB He who justifies me is near. Who will bring charges against me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.
- KJV He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
- NKJV He is near who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me.
- NASB He who vindicates Me is near; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand up to each other. Who has a case against Me? Let him approach Me.
- NLT He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Servant declares that the God who justifies him is near, boldly challenging any accuser to confront him.
Overview
The Servant stands in a courtroom posture, certain of acquittal because God vindicates him; he dares his adversaries to bring their charges. His confidence flows from God's nearness and approval. Paul takes up this language for all believers: it is God who justifies, so no charge can stand against His elect (Romans 8:33-34), grounded in Christ's vindication.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Rom 8:32–34He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?
- Rev 12:10And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down—he who accuses them day and night before our God.
- Isa 41:1“Be silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come forward and testify; let us together draw near for judgment.
- Isa 41:21“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob.
- Isa 43:26Remind Me, let us argue the matter together. State your case, so that you may be vindicated.
- Deut 19:17both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.
- Exod 22:9In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any lost item that someone claims, ‘This is mine,’ both parties shall bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges find guilty must pay back double to his neighbor.
- Matt 5:25Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
- 1 Tim 3:16By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.
- Zech 3:1–10Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
- Job 23:3–7If only I knew where to find Him, so that I could go to His seat.
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 50:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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