Truth Unites Is Isaiah 53 About Jesus?
Nov 20, 2025
Gavin Ortlund dives into the intriguing debate over Isaiah 53, arguing that the ‘suffering servant’ is an individual rather than corporate Israel. He presents compelling reasons: the servant’s saving role, inherent innocence, and sacrificial death align closely with Jesus. Gavin examines early Jewish interpretations and highlights the significance of the first-person plural voice. By the end, he convincingly posits that the servant represents an individual who embodies the hopes of Israel, sparking thought-provoking insights on faith and interpretation.
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Servant Language Goes Beyond Corporate Israel
- Isaiah 53's
Servant Saves Israel And The Nations
- The servant is described as saving Israel and the nations, which reads awkwardly if the servant is simply Israel itself.
Innocence Contrasts With Israel's Guilt
- The text portrays the servant as innocent while Israel is repeatedly presented as sinful in Deutero-Isaiah's context.