Isaiah 53 · Verse 1

Isaiah 53:1

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
Isaiah 53:1, King James Version

Isaiah 53:1 in other translations

BSBWho has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
WEBWho has believed our message? To whom has the LORD’s arm been revealed?
ASVWho hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?
YLTWho hath given credence to that which we heard? And the arm of Jehovah, On whom hath it been revealed?
DARBYWho hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?
BBEWho would have had faith in the word which has come to our ears, and to whom had the arm of the Lord been unveiled?
WebsterWho hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

What does Isaiah 53:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Is 53:1-12. Man's Unbelief: Messiah's Vicarious Sufferings, and Final Triumph for Man.

The speaker, according to Horsley, personates the repenting Jews in the latter ages of the world coming over to the faith of the Redeemer; the whole is their penitent confession. This view suits the context (Is 52:7-9), which is not to be fully realized until Israel is restored. However, primarily, it is the abrupt exclamation of the prophet: "Who hath believed our report," that of Isaiah and the other prophets, as to Messiah? The infidel's objection from the unbelief of the Jews is anticipated and hereby answered: that unbelief and the cause of it (Messiah's humiliation, whereas they looked for One coming to reign) were foreseen and foretold. 1. report--literally, "the thing heard," referring to which sense Paul says, "So, then, faith cometh by hearing" (Ro 10:16, 17). arm--power (Is 40:10); exercised in miracles and in saving men (Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18). The prophet, as if present during Messiah's ministry on earth, is deeply moved to see how few believed on Him (Is 49:4; Mr 6:6; 9:19; Ac 1:15). Two reasons are given why all ought to have believed: (1) The "report" of the "ancient prophets." (2) "The arm of Jehovah" exhibited in Messiah while on earth. In Horsley's view, this will be the penitent confession of the Jews, "How few of our nation, in Messiah's days, believed in Him!"

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

This chapter foretells the sufferings of the Messiah, the end for which he was to die, and the advantages resulting to mankind from that illustrious event. It begins with a complaint of the infidelity of the Jews, Isa 53:1; the offense they took at his mean and humble appearance, Isa 53:2; and the contempt with which they treated him, Isa 53:3. The prophet then shows that the Messiah was to suffer for sins not his own; but that our iniquities were laid on him, and the punishment of them exacted of him, which is the meritorious cause of our obtaining pardon and salvation, Isa 53:4-6. He shows the meekness and placid submission with which he suffered a violent and unjust death, with the circumstances of his dying with the wicked, and being buried with the great, Isa 53:7-9; and that, in consequence of his atonement, death, resurrection, and intercession, he should procure pardon and salvation to the multitudes, insure increasing prosperity to his Church, and ultimately triumph over all his foes, Isa 53:10, Isa 53:11. This chapter contains a beautiful summary of the most peculiar and distinguishing doctrines of Christianity. That this chapter speaks of none but Jesus must be evident to every unprejudiced reader who has ever heard the history of his sufferings and death. The Jews have endeavored to apply it to their sufferings in captivity; but, alas for their cause! they can make nothing out in this way. Allowing that it belongs to our blessed Lord, (and the best men and the best scholars agree in this), then who can read Isa 53:4, Isa 53:5, Isa 53:6, Isa 53:8, Isa 53:10, without being convinced that his death was a vicarious sacrifice for the sins of mankind? On the first and second verses of this chapter I have received the following remarks from an unknown hand. Verse 1 Who hath believed our report? - The report of the prophets, of John the Baptist, and Christ's own report of himself. The Jews did not receive the report, and for this reason he was not manifested to them as the promised Messiah. 'He came unto his own, but his own received him not.' Before the Father he grew up as a tender plant: but to the Jews he was as a root out of a dry ground. 'He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.'

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Isaiah 53:1-3
The person. (Is. 53:1-3) sufferings. (Is. 53:4-9) humiliation, and exaltation of Christ, are minutely described; with the blessings to mankind from his death. (Is. 53:10-12) Verses 1-3 No where in all the Old Testament is it so plainly and fully prophesied, that Christ ought to suffer, and then to enter into his glory, as in this chapter. But to this day few discern, or will acknowledge, that Divine power which goes with the word. The authentic and most important report of salvation for sinners, through the Son of God, is disregarded. The low condition he submitted to, and his appearance in the world, were not agreeable to the ideas the Jews had formed of the Messiah. It was expected that he should come in pomp; instead of that, he grew up as a plant, silently, and insensibly. He had nothing of the glory which one might have thought to meet with him. His whole life was not only humble as to outward condition, but also sorrowful. Being made sin for us, he underwent the sentence sin had exposed us to. Carnal hearts see nothing in the Lord Jesus to desire an interest in him. Alas! by how many is he still despised in his people, and rejected as to his doctrine and authority!

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Isaiah 53:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מִ֥יmiwho?H4310
הֶאֱמִ֖יןhe.'e.Minhas he believedH539
לִשְׁמֻעָתֵ֑נוּlish.mu.'a.Te.nu<to> report ourH8052
וּזְר֥וֹעַu.ze.Ro.a'and [the] arm ofH2220
יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahwehH3068
עַל\־'al-toH5921
מִ֥יmiwhom?H4310
נִגְלָֽתָה\׃nig.La.tahhas it been revealedH1540

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Isaiah 53:1

  • John 12:38

    That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

  • Romans 10:16-17

    But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:18

    For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

  • John 1:12

    But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

  • Matthew 16:17

    And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

  • Matthew 11:25

    At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:24

    But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

  • Isaiah 52:10

    The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

  • John 1:7

    The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

  • Isaiah 40:5

    And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

  • Romans 1:16-18

    For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

  • Isaiah 62:8

    The Lord hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 The prophet, complaining of incredulity, excuses the scandal of the cross,
4 by the benefit of his passion,
10 and the good success thereof.

Who.
Joh 1:7,12; 12:38; Ro 10:16,17
report. or, doctrine. Heb. hearing. the.
51:9; 52:10; 62:8; Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18,24; Eph 1:18,19
revealed.
40:5; Mt 11:25; 16:17; Ro 1:17,18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Isaiah 53:1

    Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

  • Isaiah 53:2

    For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Read all of Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¿QUIÉN ha creído á nuestro anuncio? ¿y sobre quién se ha manifestado el brazo de Jehová?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Qui a cru à ce que nous avons fait entendre, et à qui le bras de l’ Éternel a-t-il été révélé?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer hat unserer Verkündigung geglaubt, und wem ist der Arm Jehovas offenbar geworden? -
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quis credidit auditui nostro? et brachium Domini cui revelatum est?