Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the verse speaks of the Servant seeing the "travail of his soul," the emphasis is less on his personal suffering and more on the deeply satisfying result of that suffering—the salvation and righteousness he makes available to many. This satisfaction is a testament to the immense value and sufficiency of his atoning work.
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage comes from the heart of Isaiah's prophecy, painting a vivid picture of a suffering servant who would ultimately bring salvation. The verses immediately preceding this one describe his rejection and suffering, while the ones following detail the glorious outcome of his sacrifice. This section specifically focuses on the personal satisfaction the servant will gain from his immense sacrifice and how his knowledge will lead to the justification of many.
Imagine pouring your entire being into something incredibly difficult. What if the reward wasn't just relief, but a deep, soul-satisfying joy? This verse speaks of that profound contentment.
Isaiah 53:11 reveals a powerful truth about the Servant's motivation and reward. He endured immense suffering, described as the 'anguish of his soul' or the 'travail of his soul.' Yet, the verse promises, 'he shall see and be satisfied.' This isn't just a passive waiting for an end to pain; it's an active 'seeing' of the result of that suffering.
The Fruit of His Labor
How does someone who has suffered so much make others righteous? The answer lies in a profound 'knowledge'—both His knowledge and our knowledge of Him.
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The verse states, 'by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous.' This phrase 'by his knowledge' is rich with meaning.
Layers of Knowledge
Why did the Servant have to suffer? This verse points to the astonishing act of bearing our iniquities as the very foundation of our acceptance with God.
The final clause, 'and he shall bear their iniquities,' is the linchpin that explains how the Servant justifies many. This isn't merely a teaching or an example; it's substitutionary atonement.
The Weight of Sin
Understand the original words
amal · Hebrew Noun
Extreme mental, emotional, or physical distress, often associated with travail or labor; it signifies the profound suffering experienced, particularly in the context of the Servant’s redemptive work.
tsaddiq · Hebrew Adjective
A person who conforms to the standard of God's law and character; in the context of the Servant, it refers to his absolute moral perfection and his unique status as the only one capable of justifying others.
ebed · Hebrew Noun
A term used for a dedicated agent or minister of God; it emphasizes the Servant's humble obedience and active role in fulfilling the Father's redemptive purpose.
tsadaq · Hebrew Verb
To be declared or reckoned as righteous in a legal or moral sense; it involves being acquitted of guilt and brought into a right relationship with God through faith or the work of the Mediator.
avon · Hebrew Noun
A deviation from God's standard, an act of rebellion, or moral perversity; it carries the weight of guilt and the resulting consequences of sin that require atonement.
sabal · Hebrew Verb
To carry, lift up, or take away the burden of sin or punishment; in the context of the Servant, it refers to the substitutionary atonement where he takes upon himself the penalty due to others.
This passage speaks to the 'knowledge' of Jesus being the key to eternal life, directly echoing Isaiah's mention of justification 'by his knowledge'.
Romans 5:8This verse powerfully states that 'God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us,' directly illuminating how the Servant bore iniquities by dying for us.
Philippians 2:8-9This passage describes Jesus being 'obedient to death—even death on a cross!' and God exalting him, which speaks to the satisfaction the Servant receives after his suffering and the justification of many.
Hebrews 12:2This verse highlights Jesus as the 'pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,' which directly relates to the Servant seeing the fruit of his soul's anguish and being satisfied.
1 Peter 2:24This verse states that Jesus 'himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness,' powerfully connecting the bearing of iniquities with the justification of the righteous.
barnesIsaiah 53:11: "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities."
He shall see of the travail of his soul - This is the language of Yahweh, who is again introduced as speaking. The sense is, he shall see the fruit, or the result of his sufferings, and shall be satisfied. He shall see so much good resulting from his great sorrows; so much happiness, and so many saved, that the benefit sha…
wesleyIsaiah 53:11: "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities."
53:11 Shall see - He shall enjoy. The travel - The blessed fruit of all his labours, and sufferings. Satisfied - He shall esteem his own and his father's glory, and the salvation of his people, an abundant recompence. By his knowledge - By the knowledge of him. Justify - Acquit them from the guilt of their sins, and all th…
While the verse speaks of the Servant seeing the "travail of his soul," the emphasis is less on his personal suffering and more on the deeply satisfying result of that suffering—the salvation and righteousness he makes available to many. This satisfaction is a testament to the immense value and sufficiency of his atoning work.
This passage comes from the heart of Isaiah's prophecy, painting a vivid picture of a suffering servant who would ultimately bring salvation. The verses immediately preceding this one describe his rejection and suffering, while the ones following detail the glorious outcome of his sacrifice. This section specifically focuses on the personal satisfaction the servant will gain from his immense sacrifice and how his knowledge will lead to the justification of many.
This passage comes from the heart of Isaiah's prophecy, painting a vivid picture of a suffering servant who would ultimately bring salvation. The verses immediately preceding this one describe his rejection and suffering, while the ones following detail the glorious outcome of his sacrifice. This section specifically focuses on the personal satisfaction the servant will gain from his immense sacrifice and how his knowledge will lead to the justification of many.
"Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities." — While the verse speaks of the Servant seeing the "travail of his soul," the emphasis is less on his personal suffering and more on the deeply satisfying result of that suffering—the salvation and r…
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Last reviewed October 2026