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)
The phrase "we have turned—every one—to his own way" is a powerful statement about our inherent self-centeredness, highlighting that sin isn't just about specific bad deeds, but a fundamental departure from God's path towards individual desires. This "own way" is so deeply ingrained that it becomes our natural inclination, the very essence of our fallen state, which the suffering servant was laid upon to redeem.
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)
The prophecy describes the Suffering Servant who bears the iniquities of God's people. It begins with a collective confession of straying like sheep and turning to individual paths, acknowledging that all humanity has gone astray from God. This widespread sinfulness is then directly linked to the Servant, on whom the Lord "laid" the iniquity of all.
Ever feel like you're just drifting, not quite sure where you're going? This verse paints a powerful picture of why that feeling is so common.
Lost and Adrift
The verse begins with a striking confession: "All we like sheep have gone astray." This isn't just a poetic comparison; it's a profound statement about the human condition. Sheep are known for wandering, getting lost, and being vulnerable when separated from the shepherd.
What happens when our straying has consequences? This verse reveals an incredible divine action to address the mess we've made.
The Lord's Imposed Load
The second part of the verse delivers a powerful theological punch: "and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." This is the turning point, the divine solution to our universal straying.
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Understand the original words
'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.
This passage directly quotes Isaiah 53:6, drawing a parallel between believers being lost sheep and their return to Christ as the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls.
Galatians 3:13This verse echoes the concept of bearing iniquity, stating that Christ became a curse for us, highlighting the substitutionary nature of His suffering for our sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21This passage explains that God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, directly correlating with the idea in Isaiah 53:6 that the Lord laid our iniquity upon Him.
Romans 5:8This verse emphasizes God's love shown through Christ's death for us while we were still sinners, underscoring the atoning sacrifice for all humanity mentioned in Isaiah 53:6.
John 1:29John the Baptist's declaration of Jesus as the 'Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world' directly reflects the sacrificial imagery and the burden of sin implied in Isaiah 53:6.
bensonIsaiah 53:6: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Isaiah 53:6 . All we — All mankind; like sheep — Which are exceedingly apt to go astray, and lose themselves; have gone astray — From God, and from the way of truth and duty; of wisdom, piety, and virtue; of holiness and happiness. We have turned every one to his own way — In general, to the way of sin, which may well be called a man’s own way, becaus…
wesleyIsaiah 53:6: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
53:6 We - All mankind. Astray - From God. Have turned - In general, to the way of sin, which may well be called a man's own way, because sin is natural to us, inherent in us, born with us; and in particular, to those several paths, which several men chuse, according to their different opinions, and circumstances. Hath laid - Heb. hath made to meet, as…
The phrase "we have turned—every one—to his own way" is a powerful statement about our inherent self-centeredness, highlighting that sin isn't just about specific bad deeds, but a fundamental departure from God's path towards individual desires. This "own way" is so deeply ingrained that it becomes our natural inclination, the very essence of our fallen state, which the suffering servant was laid upon to redeem.
The prophecy describes the Suffering Servant who bears the iniquities of God's people. It begins with a collective confession of straying like sheep and turning to individual paths, acknowledging that all humanity has gone astray from God. This widespread sinfulness is then directly linked to the Servant, on whom the Lord "laid" the iniquity of all.
The prophecy describes the Suffering Servant who bears the iniquities of God's people. It begins with a collective confession of straying like sheep and turning to individual paths, acknowledging that all humanity has gone astray from God. This widespread sinfulness is then directly linked to the Servant, on whom the Lord "laid" the iniquity of all.
"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." — The phrase "we have turned—every one—to his own way" is a powerful statement about our inherent self-centeredness, highlighting that sin isn't just about specific bad deeds, but a fundamental departu…
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Last reviewed October 2026