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

    “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. 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, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will 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 beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.

    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 rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

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

    Philip tells him the good news

    Acts 8:35

    So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip 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 personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

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

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.