Isaiah 53:4-6
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights a profound misunderstanding: the very suffering that was for humanity was perceived as punishment from God, a tragic misinterpretation of the Servant's substitutionary work. It shows how easily we can misjudge suffering, mistaking the remedy for the disease, and failing to see God's redemptive purpose within it.
This passage is part of a prophetic song describing a suffering servant of God. It follows descriptions of his humble appearance and rejection by people who wouldn't believe the message about him. The prophecy is about to explain why this servant suffers, revealing that his pain is not for himself but for others.
What does it truly mean to 'bear our griefs and carry our sorrows'? This wasn't a passive experience for the Suffering Servant.
Isaiah 53:4 opens with a profound declaration: 'Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.' The original Hebrew words for 'borne' and 'carried' don't just suggest proximity; they imply an active, burdensome taking upon oneself.
A Heavy Load
When applied to our 'griefs' (illnesses, pains, troubles) and 'sorrows' (mental anguish, deep sadness), it paints a picture of Christ actively absorbing and enduring the vast spectrum of human suffering, not for Himself, but for us.
More Than Just Sympathy
This isn't merely Jesus feeling sorry for us. He is described as taking up and carrying away our pain and sorrow. As Matthew 8:17 quotes this passage, 'He took our illnesses and carried our diseases.' This points to His active work of relief and healing, rooted in His willingness to bear these burdens Himself.
The passage pivots sharply: despite bearing our burdens, the world's reaction was harsh condemnation. How could they be so wrong?
The second half of Isaiah 53:4 reveals a tragic human response to the Servant's sacrificial act: 'yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.' This highlights a profound misunderstanding and rejection.
Understand the original words
pesha' · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting a failure to observe the law, a violation of a trust, or an act of rebellion against God’s authority. It implies a conscious breach of the covenant relationship.
avon · Hebrew Noun
A moral term referring to twistedness, perversity, or guilt. It signifies an act that deviates from the moral standard established by God, often carrying the idea of associated guilt and the need for punishment.
musar · Hebrew Noun
Discipline, correction, or punishment intended to bring about repentance or restoration. In a substitutionary context, it refers to the penalty suffered by one party to secure the welfare or peace of another.
shalom · Hebrew Noun
This passage directly quotes Isaiah 53:4, applying it to Jesus' healing of the sick, showing that his bearing of our griefs included physical ailments.
1 Peter 2:24Peter echoes the theme of bearing our sins and sorrows, specifically linking it to Christ's suffering on the cross and its atoning purpose.
John 1:29John the Baptist's proclamation of Jesus as the 'Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world' resonates with Isaiah's depiction of the Servant bearing sorrows for others.
Romans 5:8This verse highlights God's immense love demonstrated by Christ dying for us while we were still sinners, a concept that aligns with the idea of bearing our afflictions and sorrows despite our low esteem of Him.
Isaiah 53:5This immediate follow-up verse explains the *purpose* behind the Servant bearing our griefs and sorrows – healing and reconciliation through His wounds for our transgressions.
bensonIsaiah 53:4: "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."
Isaiah 53:4-5 . Surely he hath borne our griefs — Whereas it may seem an incredible thing, that so excellent and glorious, and so innocent and holy a person should meet with this usage, it must be known that his griefs and miseries were not laid upon him for his own sake, but wholly for the sake of sinful men, in whose stead he stood, and for whose sins he suff…
clarkeIsaiah 53:4: "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."
Surely he Bath borne our griefs "Surely our infirmities he hath borne" - Seven MSS. (two ancient) and three editions have חליינו cholayeynu in the plural number. And carried our sorrows "And our sorrows, he hath carried them" - Seventeen MSS. (two ancient) of Dr. Kennicott's, two of De Rossi's, and two editions have the word הוא hu, he, before סבלם sebalam,…
The verse highlights a profound misunderstanding: the very suffering that was for humanity was perceived as punishment from God, a tragic misinterpretation of the Servant's substitutionary work. It shows how easily we can misjudge suffering, mistaking the remedy for the disease, and failing to see God's redemptive purpose within it.
This passage is part of a prophetic song describing a suffering servant of God. It follows descriptions of his humble appearance and rejection by people who wouldn't believe the message about him. The prophecy is about to explain why this servant suffers, revealing that his pain is not for himself but for others.
This passage is part of a prophetic song describing a suffering servant of God. It follows descriptions of his humble appearance and rejection by people who wouldn't believe the message about him. The prophecy is about to explain this servant suffers, revealing that his pain is not for himself but for others.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 53:4-6 is available in the Sola app.
The World's Verdict
This judgment was not only wrong but deeply ironic. They saw the effects of His bearing our sin and sorrow, but instead of recognizing His sacrifice, they interpreted His suffering as proof of His guilt.
A Blinded Perception
Commentaries note that terms like 'stricken' and 'smitten' were often associated with severe diseases like leprosy, seen as direct divine judgment. The people's prejudice was so strong that they couldn't see beyond His outward suffering to the inward purpose. They judged Him by His humiliation, not by the divine mission He was fulfilling. This starkly contrasts with the reality that His suffering was precisely for them, not because of His own wrongdoing.
A state of wholeness, completeness, or reconciliation with God. It encompasses not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of divine well-being and covenantal harmony.
nakah · Hebrew Verb (Passive Participle)
To be struck down, beaten, or scourged. In a theological context, it is often used to describe divine judgment or the severe punishment inflicted upon an offender.
anah · Hebrew Verb (Passive Participle)
To be humbled, bowed down, or oppressed. It describes a state of suffering, whether physical, emotional, or situational, often under the heavy hand of external circumstances or judgment.
choli · Hebrew Noun
Literally 'sickness' or 'illness,' but used metaphorically to describe the frailty, pain, and suffering inherent in human life, especially as linked to the effects of sin.
'āwōn · Hebrew Noun
A term representing the moral failure of humanity and a state of being disconnected from God. It encompasses both the act of breaking God’s law and the resulting corruption of human nature.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
Refers to the covenant name of God, YHWH, the self-existent one who revealed Himself to Israel as their Savior and Redeemer. It is the name signifying God's faithfulness to His promises.
tāʿâ · Hebrew Verb
The state of moral separation from God where humans act according to their own desires rather than His revealed will. It characterizes humanity's inherent tendency to drift away from divine authority.
"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was…" — The verse highlights a profound misunderstanding: the very suffering that was for humanity was perceived as punishment from God, a tragic misinterpretation of the Servant's substitutionary work.…
