Isaiah 53:6
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)
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The verse highlights that our straying isn't just a general deviation, but a personal one: "we have turned—every one—to his own way." This emphasizes the individual responsibility for our sins, which are then collectively laid upon Christ, revealing the immense scope of His sacrifice for each of us.
This passage comes from a prophecy depicting a suffering servant of God who bears the sins of many. It follows the servant's description as someone despised and rejected, leading into this verse's acknowledgment of universal human sinfulness. The verses that follow will continue to describe the servant's atonement and his eventual vindication.
Why does the Bible so often compare us to sheep? And what does it mean that 'all' of us have gone astray?
This verse opens with a powerful, sweeping statement: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way."
The Sheep Analogy
Sheep are known for being easily led, prone to wander, and not particularly intelligent when it comes to finding their way back. In Scripture, this imagery isn't about criticizing their intelligence but highlighting our own human tendency to stray from God's path.
'All' of Us
The word "all" is crucial here. It's not just some people, or a specific group; the prophet is speaking about humanity as a whole. This isn't about a few bad apples but a fundamental condition of our existence apart from divine guidance. Each person, in their own unique way ("his own way"), deviates from God's intended path. This isn't necessarily about malicious intent but a natural inclination to follow our own desires and plans, which ultimately leads us away from Him.
The verse pivots dramatically from our straying to God's action. What does it mean for 'iniquity' to be 'laid on' someone?
The second part of the verse delivers a stunning theological truth: "and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." This is the heart of the substitutionary atonement.
'Laid On Him'
The Hebrew word used here can imply a burden being placed, or even a hostile force striking. It signifies that God Himself, in His justice, appointed the Servant to bear the weight of humanity's sin. This wasn't accidental; it was a divine act.
The 'Iniquity' Borne
Crucially, the commentators highlight that 'iniquity' here refers not to Christ committing sin (for He was sinless), but to bearing the consequences or punishment due for sin. All the rebellion, all the straying, all the turning to our 'own way'—the penalty for all of it was placed upon Him.
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, emphasizing the sheep-like tendency of believers to go astray before returning to Christ, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls.
Matthew 9:36Here, Jesus sees the crowds and has compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, 'like sheep without a shepherd,' a powerful parallel to the imagery of straying sheep in Isaiah 53:6.
Luke 15:4-7The parable of the lost sheep beautifully illustrates the concept of one sheep going astray and the shepherd's immense joy in finding and bringing it back, mirroring the lost condition described in Isaiah and the shepherd's ultimate care.
Galatians 3:13Paul explains that Christ 'redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,' directly connecting to the idea of 'the Lord laying on him the iniquity of us all,' as Christ bore the curse in our place.
2 Corinthians 5:21This verse states that God 'made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.' This echoes the profound theological exchange where our iniquity was laid upon Christ, and His righteousness is imputed to us.
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 verse highlights that our straying isn't just a general deviation, but a personal one: "we have turned—every one—to his own way." This emphasizes the individual responsibility for our sins, which are then collectively laid upon Christ, revealing the immense scope of His sacrifice for each of us.
This passage comes from a prophecy depicting a suffering servant of God who bears the sins of many. It follows the servant's description as someone despised and rejected, leading into this verse's acknowledgment of universal human sinfulness. The verses that follow will continue to describe the servant's atonement and his eventual vindication.
This passage comes from a prophecy depicting a suffering servant of God who bears the sins of many. It follows the servant's description as someone despised and rejected, leading into this verse's acknowledgment of universal human sinfulness. The verses that follow will continue to describe the servant's atonement and his eventual vindication.
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This is the incredible exchange: our wandering and sinfulness are laid upon the innocent Servant, and His righteousness is imputed to us. It's the divine solution to our universal straying.
"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 verse highlights that our straying isn't just a general deviation, but a personal one: "we have turned—every one—to his own way." This emphasizes the individual responsibility for our sins, which…
