And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a profound contrast: Jesus was destined for a grave with common criminals, yet his burial was in a rich man's tomb. This detail is not just about the physical resting place, but underscores how, despite being the ultimate innocent one, he was treated as the most wicked, only to be rescued by an act of unexpected generosity from a wealthy believer.
And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The passage describes the ultimate humiliation and indignity suffered by the Servant, who, despite being innocent, is condemned and destined for a burial typically reserved for criminals. This burial, however, takes an unexpected turn when a wealthy man intercedes, ensuring the Servant is laid to rest in a tomb befitting someone of status, a stark contrast to the initial intention of his enemies.
Imagine the ultimate insult: not only to be executed like a criminal, but to be buried among them too. This was the fate planned for the Suffering Servant.
Isaiah 53:9 reveals a deliberate intention to dishonor the Messiah even in death. The phrase 'And they made his grave with the wicked' suggests that the plan was to bury Him with common criminals, a fate befitting those condemned by society. This was a further step in His humiliation, a public declaration that He was deemed worthy of the lowest ignominy.
This wasn't just a casual oversight; it was a planned indignity. The context of crucifixion, often performed publicly and followed by ignominious burial, highlights this. Those executed as criminals were typically denied a proper burial, their bodies left to decay or tossed into mass graves. The Servant was destined for such a fate, a stark contrast to His true identity.
Just as the enemies thought they had inflicted the ultimate shame, divine providence intervened, placing the Servant in a tomb fit for the wealthy. This twist reveals God's surprising plan.
The verse pivots sharply: '...and with a rich man in his death.' This isn't a contradiction, but a fulfillment of a two-part prophetic picture. While the intention was a grave with the wicked, the actual burial was in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and respected man.
This unexpected turn served several purposes:
Ask a follow-up
Why would God allow His innocent Servant to suffer such a fate? The answer lies in His perfect character and our desperate need.
The final part of the verse provides the crucial explanation: 'although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.' This declaration of innocence is foundational.
Understand the original words
mirmâ · Hebrew Noun
An action or speech that is deliberately false, misleading, or treacherous. It is the antithesis of the truth and transparency required by God.
This prophecy highlights the stark contrast between the ignominious fate intended for Jesus by his enemies and the honorable burial ultimately provided by a wealthy follower, underscoring Jesus' innocence and divine orchestration even in death.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified between two criminals, a common practice for condemned malefactors, suggesting an ignominious burial.
c. 30 AD
Joseph of Arimathea's Request
Joseph, a wealthy and respected man, requests Jesus' body from Pilate, preventing burial with the criminals.
c. 30 AD
Burial in Joseph's Tomb
Jesus is laid in Joseph of Arimathea's own new tomb, a tomb hewn from rock, signifying a burial befitting a man of wealth.
This passage provides the direct historical account of Jesus' burial, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy by placing him in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, after he was crucified with criminals.
1 Peter 2:22This New Testament verse directly echoes Isaiah's description of the suffering servant, stating 'He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth,' underscoring the sinless nature of the one who was destined for such a burial.
Philippians 2:8This verse describes Jesus humbling himself and becoming obedient 'to the point of death, even death on a cross,' which aligns with the ignominious death and burial predicted in Isaiah, highlighting His willing submission despite His blamelessness.
Luke 23:50-53This Gospel account details Joseph of Arimathea, a 'member of the council, a good and righteous man,' asking for Jesus' body and laying it in a tomb that had been cut out of a rock, fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah being buried with the rich, not among the common criminals.
wesleyIsaiah 53:9: "And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth."
53:9 With the wicked - This was a farther degree of humiliation. He saith, he made his grave, because this was Christ's own act, and he willingly yielded up himself to death and burial. And that which follows, with the wicked, does not denote the sameness of place, as if he should be buried in the same grave with other malefactors, but the s…
clarkeIsaiah 53:9: "And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth."
With the rich in his death "With the rich man was his tomb" - It may be necessary to introduce Bishop Lowth's translation of this verse before we come to his very satisfactory criticisms: - And his grave was appointed with the wicked; But with the rich man was his tomb: Although he had done no wrong, Neither was there any guile in his mouth.…
The verse highlights a profound contrast: Jesus was destined for a grave with common criminals, yet his burial was in a rich man's tomb. This detail is not just about the physical resting place, but underscores how, despite being the ultimate innocent one, he was treated as the most wicked, only to be rescued by an act of unexpected generosity from a wealthy believer.
The passage describes the ultimate humiliation and indignity suffered by the Servant, who, despite being innocent, is condemned and destined for a burial typically reserved for criminals. This burial, however, takes an unexpected turn when a wealthy man intercedes, ensuring the Servant is laid to rest in a tomb befitting someone of status, a stark contrast to the initial intention of his enemies.
The passage describes the ultimate humiliation and indignity suffered by the Servant, who, despite being innocent, is condemned and destined for a burial typically reserved for criminals. This burial, however, takes an unexpected turn when a wealthy man intercedes, ensuring the Servant is laid to rest in a tomb befitting someone of status, a stark contrast to the initial intention of his enemies.
"And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth." — The verse highlights a profound contrast: Jesus was destined for a grave with common criminals, yet his burial was in a rich man's tomb. This detail is not just about the physical resting place, but…
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Last reviewed October 2026