Isaiah 53: NT use of the OT

In this episode Dr. Will Ryan and Dr. Matt look at the NT author’s usage of Isaiah 53. It is quoted 9 times in the NT directly. We’ll also look at Acts where we’ll see how the disciples use the same depiction we encountered in the last episode to describe the Servant and the people’s actions against Him. Last, we’ll look at “bearing sin” in the NT and show show it also lines up with how it is described in Isaiah 53 where the servant bears the abuse of the people (not God) for their healing.

Isaiah 53:1

John 12:37-38

Romans 10:15-16

Isaiah 53:4

Matthew 8:16-17

Isaiah 5:7-8

Acts 8:32-33

Isaiah 53:9; 4

1 Peter 2:22-24

Isaiah 53:12

Mark 15:28-28

Luke 22:36-38

8/9 uses of Isaiah 53 in the NT are quoted from the LXX. Remember from the last episode this is the version with 1 voice that shows how God is not acting against the servant but the people are.

Acts and the Suffering Servant

Acts 2:23-28

Acts 2:29-36

Acts 3:13-18

Acts 4:10-11

Acts 5:27-28

Acts 7:51-52

Acts 10:39-41

Acts 13:26-41

The Release from Exile and “Bearing Sin”

Galatians 3:8-14

2 Corinthians 5:22

Conclusions

As in the interpretation of the OT context of Isaiah 53, we don’t see God acting in wrath against the servant but rather healing and redeeming him. It was the people who acted in violence against the servant. But God used this for our redemption.

Jesus did bear sin… He bore the sinful and violent actions of the people.

Some of the major things we can take away is that God can redeem evil for his good. The evil actions of the people were redeemed in the healing of the servant. And the crowd later realized those actions were not of God, even though they thought they were doing the Lord’s bidding in their scapegoating.

PSA is also non-existent in the interpretations of Isaiah 53 in the OT when we compare the voices of the LXX and the MT. Also the NT writers consistently use the LXX when referring to Isaiah 53 and never apply Jesus’ death to anything regarding wrath satisfaction or appeasement.

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If you have comments or questions please email us at: ryan@expedition44.com, matt@expedition44.com