Isaiah 53:11
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)
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The phrase "by his knowledge" refers to the profound, intimate understanding the Servant possesses of God and His plan of salvation, which He then imparts to others, enabling them to be made righteous. This emphasizes that salvation isn't just a transaction, but a relational transformation rooted in the Servant's divine wisdom and communicative power.
This passage continues the prophetic description of the suffering servant's mission and its ultimate success. It follows the servant's rejection and suffering, emphasizing that his anguish will lead to satisfaction through the salvation of many. The text before it details his suffering and death for others, while what follows highlights his ultimate triumph and vindication.
The verse speaks of 'anguish of his soul' and seeing satisfaction. What does this profound paradox mean for the servant and for us?
The 'travail of his soul' refers to the immense suffering, spiritual anguish, and even the agony of bearing sin that the Servant endured. This wasn't just physical pain, but a deep, soul-wrenching burden. Yet, the promise is that He 'shall see' the results of this suffering and 'be satisfied.' This satisfaction isn't found in the suffering itself, but in its ultimate purpose and outcome: the salvation and redemption of many. His suffering becomes the means to a satisfying end – the reconciliation of humanity to God and the glorification of His Father. It's like a parent enduring immense pain during childbirth, finding ultimate satisfaction in the life and joy their child brings.
How can 'knowledge' lead to being made 'righteous'? This verse offers a surprising pathway to our standing before God.
The phrase 'by his knowledge' is crucial. It doesn't refer to our knowledge of Him as a primary cause, but rather His perfect, intimate knowledge of the Father and His divine plan. It's through this unique, divine knowledge and His subsequent actions – His suffering and sacrifice – that He makes many 'to be accounted righteous.' In essence, His deep, intrinsic righteousness and His understanding of God's redemptive plan allow Him to impart righteousness to others. This is not about us earning our standing through our own understanding or efforts, but about His perfect knowledge and perfect work being credited to us.
The verse concludes with a powerful statement: 'he shall bear their iniquities.' What is the profound significance of this substitutionary act?
This is the heart of the Servant's mission. 'Bearing iniquities' means He took upon Himself the guilt, the penalty, and the consequences of our sins. It's a profound exchange where His perfect righteousness is imputed to us, and our sin is laid upon Him. He didn't just suffer for us, but He sin for us, absorbing the divine judgment that was due. This act is the very foundation upon which our justification rests. Because He bore our iniquities, we can be declared righteous in God's sight, not because we deserve it, but because His sacrifice has satisfied divine justice.
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
This passage mirrors Isaiah 53:11 by describing the ultimate exaltation of Christ after his suffering and death ('he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him'). It also anticipates the universal acknowledgment of his righteousness, echoing the 'make many to be accounted righteous' theme.
Hebrews 12:2This verse directly connects Christ's suffering with his future joy and satisfaction, stating 'fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of God.' This resonates with Isaiah's depiction of seeing 'out of the anguish of his soul' and being 'satisfied'.
Romans 5:8-10This passage explains the mechanism by which Christ's suffering leads to justification. It elaborates on 'he shall bear their iniquities' by stating, 'while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, now that we have been justified by his blood, we shall be saved from God's wrath through him.'
1 Peter 2:24This verse directly links Christ's bearing of our sins to our healing and righteousness, echoing Isaiah 53:11's proclamation that 'he himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.'
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…
The phrase "by his knowledge" refers to the profound, intimate understanding the Servant possesses of God and His plan of salvation, which He then imparts to others, enabling them to be made righteous. This emphasizes that salvation isn't just a transaction, but a relational transformation rooted in the Servant's divine wisdom and communicative power.
This passage continues the prophetic description of the suffering servant's mission and its ultimate success. It follows the servant's rejection and suffering, emphasizing that his anguish will lead to satisfaction through the salvation of many. The text before it details his suffering and death for others, while what follows highlights his ultimate triumph and vindication.
This passage continues the prophetic description of the suffering servant's mission and its ultimate success. It follows the servant's rejection and suffering, emphasizing that his anguish will lead to satisfaction through the salvation of many. The text before it details his suffering and death for others, while what follows highlights his ultimate triumph and vindication.
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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 verse highlights the crucial role of 'knowledge' in salvation, a concept present in 'by his knowledge shall the righteous one... make many to be accounted righteous.' Jesus himself states, 'And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.'
"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." — The phrase "by his knowledge" refers to the profound, intimate understanding the Servant possesses of God and His plan of salvation, which He then imparts to others, enabling them to be made righteou…
