Isaiah 53:3
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Isaiah 53:3
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Chapter Context
Isaiah 53 is a suffering servant oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of salvation, truth, discipleship. Written during the Assyrian and pre-exilic periods (c. 740-680 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Addressed Judah during Assyria's rise, Babylon's threat, and anticipated restoration.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
This chapter is significant because it provides the clearest Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah's suffering. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Isaiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Isaiah 53:3
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Analysis
This prophetic description of the suffering Servant (fulfilled in Christ) reveals His rejection and sorrows. 'Despised' (bazah) means treated with contempt, regarded as worthless. 'Rejected' (chadal) conveys being forsaken, abandoned by others. 'A man of sorrows' shows His intimate acquaintance with grief—not occasional sadness but one whose life was characterized by suffering. 'We hid as it were our faces from him'—people turned away in disgust or indifference. 'We esteemed him not' means we considered Him insignificant, without value. This describes humanity's response to Jesus: religious leaders rejected Him, crowds turned away, disciples fled, and even today many dismiss Him.
Historical Context
Written 700 years before Christ, Isaiah's detailed description of Messiah's suffering confounded Jewish expectations of a conquering king. Jesus's life perfectly fulfilled this prophecy—rejected by religious leaders, abandoned by friends, despised by crowds who chose Barabbas. The cross epitomized this rejection: executed as a criminal, mocked by observers. Yet Peter explains this rejection was predicted (Acts 3:18) and necessary for salvation. The early church, facing similar rejection, found comfort knowing their Messiah experienced it first.
Reflection
- How does Jesus's experience of rejection and sorrow comfort you when you face similar experiences?
- In what ways do people today still 'hide their faces' from Christ and 'esteem him not,' and how should we respond?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Isaiah 49:7, 50:6, 53:4, 53:10, Matthew 26:67, Mark 14:34