Limitless Word

The Suffering Servant

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Isaiah's mysterious servant — wounded for our transgressions — and the one who fulfils him.

Deep in Isaiah a figure appears called simply "my servant" — chosen, gentle, a light to the nations, yet despised, pierced, and crushed for the sins of others, only to be raised and exalted. For centuries readers wondered who he was. The New Testament answers without hesitation: an Ethiopian official reads Isaiah 53 and Philip "told him the good news about Jesus." Follow the servant songs and you are reading the gospel before the gospel.
  1. 1

    Behold my servant

    Isaiah 42:1

    “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.

    The first servant song: chosen, Spirit-anointed, gentle — "a light for the nations."
  2. 2

    A light to the nations

    Isaiah 49:6

    He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

    The servant's mission widens beyond Israel to the ends of the earth.
  3. 3

    I gave my back to those who strike

    Isaiah 50:6

    I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.

    The servant submits to suffering and shame without turning away.
  4. 4

    Pierced for our transgressions

    Isaiah 53:5

    But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

    The great fourth song: wounded, crushed, and bearing the sin of many.
  5. 5

    Philip tells him the good news

    Acts 8:35

    Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

    An Ethiopian reads Isaiah 53 and asks who it means; Philip answers: Jesus.
  6. 6

    By his wounds you are healed

    1 Peter 2:24

    He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

    Peter applies the servant song directly to Christ on the tree.