Isaiah 53's Connection to Other Scriptures
Posted by Matt Postiff July 16, 2019 on Matt Postiff's Blog under Theology Gospel Bible Texts Apologetics
During an examination of Acts 17:2-3, I thought to connect it back to Isaiah 53 (a significant section of "the scriptures"). Paul was using the Scriptures to demonstrate that the Messiah had to suffer and rise again. Then he connected those prophecies to the actual historical happenings in the life of Jesus of Nazareth to show his audience the need to believe in Christ.
When I took a look at Isaiah, here is what I found (verses quoted from NKJV unless otherwise noted):
| Isaiah 52:14 As many were astonished at you; His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more htan the sons of men. | → | Mark 15:19 Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him...Matthew 27:26 and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. |
| Isaiah 52:15 So shall He sprinkle many nations | → | 1 Peter 1:1-2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. (See also Hebrews 10:22.) |
| Isaiah 52:15 For that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. | → | Romans 15:20-21 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation, but as it is written: "To whom He was not announced, they shall see; and those who have not heard shall understand." (Rom. 15:21 NKJ) |
| Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our report? | → | Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" |
| Isaiah 53:1 And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? | → | John 12:37-38 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" |
| Isaiah 53:4 Surely He has born our griefs, and carried our sorrows. | → | Matthew 8:16-17 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses." |
| Isaiah 53:5 He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. | → | 1 Peter 2:24 Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. |
| Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. | → | 1 Peter 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. |
| Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not his mouth | → | Matthew 26:62-63 And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?" But Jesus kept silent. |
| Isaiah 53:9 And He made his grave...with the rich in His death. | → | Matthew 27:57, 60 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph...and laid [the body of Jesus] in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb... |
| Isaiah 53:9 because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. | → | 1 Peter 2:22 Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth. |
| Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him. | → | Genesis 3:15 He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel. |
| Isaiah 53:11 By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. | → | Acts 13:38-39 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 "and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. |
| Isaiah 53:12 ...and He was numbered with the transgressors... | → | Luke 22:37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors.' For what is written about me has its fulfillment." (ESV) |
The apostle was showing that Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead. Isaiah 53 does this. It focuses on the suffering. But it also teaches the resurrection because it says that God will prolong the days of His servant (Isaiah 53:10), and He will give Him a portion with the great and spoil with the strong (Isaiah 53:12). These things clearly imply that He must come to life again in order to receive these blessings.
