Isaiah 53:1

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Who hath believed {H539} our report {H8052}? and to whom is the arm {H2220} of the LORD {H3068} revealed {H1540}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Who believes our report? To whom is the arm of ADONAI revealed?

Berean Standard Bible

Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

American Standard Version

Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 53:1 serves as a profound and poignant opening to the fourth and most detailed of Isaiah's "Servant Songs," often referred to as the "Suffering Servant Song." This verse immediately sets a tone of incredulity and lament, posing two rhetorical questions that highlight the widespread human resistance and skepticism towards the prophetic message concerning the Servant's unconventional path to salvation, and the limited recognition of God's powerful redemptive work embodied in Him. It underscores the difficulty in accepting a Messiah who would suffer rather than conquer, foreshadowing the unbelief many would exhibit towards Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 53:1 introduces the climactic fourth "Servant Song" (Isaiah 52:13-53:12), which stands as the theological heart of the book of Isaiah and arguably the Old Testament's most detailed prophecy of the Messiah's atoning work. Following three previous Servant Songs (e.g., [Isaiah 42:1-9](/isaiah/42 "Isaiah 42:1-9 - The First Servant Song"), [Isaiah 49:1-13](/isaiah/49 "Isaiah 49:1-13 - The Second Servant Song"), [Isaiah 50:4-11](/isaiah/50 "Isaiah 50:4-11 - The Third Servant Song")), this final song provides an unparalleled description of the Servant's suffering, rejection, and vicarious death, culminating in His exaltation. Verse 1 serves as an abrupt, lamenting introduction, expressing the prophet's dismay that so few would comprehend or accept the radical truth about this Servant. It sets the stage for the shocking revelation of the Servant's identity and mission that unfolds in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Written during a period of significant national decline and exile for Israel, Isaiah's prophecies often addressed the people's spiritual blindness and their longing for a powerful, conquering Messiah who would restore their political fortunes. The concept of a suffering Servant, who would achieve salvation through humility, rejection, and death, was profoundly counter-cultural and antithetical to prevailing Jewish expectations of a triumphant Davidic king. This historical backdrop illuminates why the prophet's "report" would be met with such widespread unbelief; it challenged deeply ingrained nationalistic and triumphalistic hopes. The "arm of the LORD" would typically be associated with military victory and overt displays of power, making its revelation through suffering all the more perplexing to the original audience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several key themes that permeate Isaiah 53 and the broader prophetic message. The most prominent is **Unbelief and Rejection**, highlighted by the rhetorical question, "Who hath believed our report?" This foreshadows the widespread skepticism and refusal to acknowledge God's chosen Servant, a theme explicitly echoed in the New Testament concerning Jesus' ministry, as seen in [John 12:38](/john/12-38 "John 12:38 - Unbelief in Jesus"). Another crucial theme is **Divine Revelation and Power**, encapsulated in "the arm of the LORD." This phrase metaphorically represents God's active strength and saving intervention, which would be revealed not through conventional displays of might, but paradoxically through the Servant's weakness and suffering. This revelation, however, would only be understood by those granted spiritual insight, emphasizing the need for divine illumination beyond human reason, much like the powerful display of God's holy arm in [Isaiah 52:10](/isaiah/52-10 "Isaiah 52:10 - The Lord's Holy Arm Revealed"). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the **Paradoxical Nature of God's Salvation**, where redemption comes not through overt worldly power but through the humble, suffering, and ultimately victorious Servant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **believed (Hebrew, _ʼâman'_):** This primitive root signifies not merely intellectual assent but a deep, firm conviction, trust, and reliance. It implies establishing something as true or firm, fostering, or being faithful. In Isaiah 53:1, the rhetorical question "Who hath believed...?" laments the absence of this profound trust and conviction in the message concerning the Suffering Servant. It suggests a failure to rely on, or find firm ground in, the divine "report."
* **report (Hebrew, _shᵉmûwʻâh'_):** A feminine passive participle meaning "something heard," this word denotes an announcement, news, message, or tidings. Here, it refers specifically to the prophetic message, the divine communication concerning the identity, mission, and destiny of the Suffering Servant. The question implies that this vital, God-given message has been largely rejected or dismissed by those who heard it.
* **arm (Hebrew, _zᵉrôwaʻ'_):** This term refers to the physical arm, but is used figuratively here to denote force, power, strength, or help. When attributed to "the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh), it becomes a powerful metaphor for God's active, intervening, and saving might. The question "to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" expresses lament that God's powerful redemptive work, embodied in the Servant, is not recognized or understood by the vast majority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who hath believed our report?"**: This opening rhetorical question expresses profound lament and incredulity from the perspective of the prophetic speakers (likely Isaiah and his fellow prophets). It highlights the widespread skepticism and resistance to the message they have proclaimed concerning the Suffering Servant. The "report" refers to the astonishing and counter-intuitive truth about God's chosen one, who would bring salvation not through kingly might but through suffering and humiliation. The question implies that very few have genuinely embraced or placed their trust in this divine revelation.
* **"and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?"**: This second rhetorical question parallels the first, deepening the lament. The "arm of the LORD" is a potent metaphor for God's active power, His ability to intervene decisively in history and bring about salvation. The question suggests that this divine power, uniquely manifested through the Suffering Servant's work, has not been "revealed" or understood by the masses. It implies a spiritual blindness or a lack of divine illumination necessary to perceive God's hand at work in such an unexpected and paradoxical manner. True revelation of God's saving power is not universally recognized but is granted to a select few who believe.

#### Literary Devices
The profound impact of Isaiah 53:1 is significantly amplified by its masterful use of literary devices. The entire verse is structured as two **Rhetorical Questions**, "Who hath believed our report?" and "and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" These are not inquiries seeking information but expressions of lament, dismay, and incredulity, emphasizing the shocking reality of widespread unbelief and spiritual blindness. The questions serve to underscore the difficulty of accepting God's unconventional method of salvation through a suffering Servant. Furthermore, the verse employs powerful **Metaphor**, most notably in the phrase "the arm of the LORD." This vivid image represents God's active strength, power, and redemptive intervention, which is paradoxically revealed through the Servant's weakness. Finally, the two questions exhibit clear **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**. Both clauses convey a similar sentiment of lament over the lack of belief and recognition concerning God's saving work, reinforcing the central theme of spiritual resistance to the prophetic message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 53:1 introduces the profound theological truth that God's ways are often contrary to human expectation, particularly concerning salvation. The lament over unbelief underscores humanity's natural resistance to divine revelation, especially when it challenges preconceived notions of power and glory. This verse highlights the necessity of faith to perceive God's work and the spiritual discernment required to recognize His "arm" when it operates through humility and suffering. It sets the stage for the radical concept of vicarious atonement, where God's ultimate power is revealed not in conquest, but in the self-sacrificial love of His Servant. The lack of belief described here is not merely intellectual skepticism but a deep-seated spiritual rejection of God's redemptive plan.

* [John 12:38](/john/12-38 "John 12:38 - Unbelief in Jesus")
* [Romans 10:16](/romans/10-16 "Romans 10:16 - Not all have obeyed the gospel")
* [1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross is Foolishness to Those Who are Perishing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 53:1 challenges us to examine the nature of our own faith and our openness to God's often surprising methods. Do we truly believe the "report" of the Gospel, which centers on Christ's atoning sacrifice and resurrection, even when it defies human logic or worldly expectations of power? Are we willing to recognize God's "arm"—His power and work—even when it manifests in ways that are humble, counter-intuitive, or involve suffering? This verse reminds us that true understanding of God's saving plan requires not just intellectual assent, but spiritual revelation and a willingness to trust in His often unconventional methods. It calls us to embrace the profound truth that God's greatest power was revealed through the humility and suffering of His Servant, Jesus Christ, as detailed in the subsequent verses of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). It prompts us to consider if our expectations of God are shaped by worldly wisdom or by His revealed truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my preconceived notions about God's power or methods hinder my ability to truly "believe His report"?**
* **How does the concept of God's "arm" being revealed through suffering challenge my understanding of strength and victory?**
* **What specific areas of my life require greater spiritual discernment to recognize God's work, even when it's not overtly powerful or glorious?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more trusting faith in God's plan, even when it seems illogical or difficult to accept from a human perspective?**

### FAQ

**What is the "report" mentioned in Isaiah 53:1?**

Answer: The "report" (Hebrew: _shᵉmûwʻâh_) refers to the prophetic message concerning the Suffering Servant, whose identity and mission are detailed in Isaiah 53. It encompasses the astonishing news that God's chosen one would bring salvation not through military conquest or overt displays of power, but through humility, suffering, and vicarious sacrifice for the sins of others. It is the divine revelation of God's unique plan for redemption.

**What does "the arm of the LORD" signify in this verse?**

Answer: "The arm of the LORD" (Hebrew: _zᵉrôwaʻ Yᵉhôvâh_) is a powerful biblical metaphor for God's active power, strength, and intervention. It signifies His ability to deliver, save, and accomplish His purposes. In Isaiah 53:1, the question "to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" laments that God's saving power, uniquely manifested through the Suffering Servant, is not recognized or understood by the majority. It implies that spiritual discernment is required to perceive God's hand at work in such an unexpected and paradoxical manner. This divine arm is central to God's salvation, as also seen in [Isaiah 52:10](/isaiah/52-10 "Isaiah 52:10 - The Lord's Holy Arm Revealed to All Nations").

**Why are these questions rhetorical?**

Answer: The questions in Isaiah 53:1 are rhetorical, meaning they are not asked to elicit information but to express a profound sense of lament, dismay, and incredulity. They highlight the tragic reality that despite the clear prophetic message, very few would truly believe or recognize God's redemptive work through His Suffering Servant. They emphasize the widespread spiritual blindness and resistance to God's unconventional plan for salvation, setting a tone of sorrow for the rejection the Servant would face.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 53:1 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "report" that so few believed is precisely the Gospel message concerning Jesus' atoning death and resurrection—a message that many in His own time, and throughout history, have found difficult to accept, as explicitly stated in [John 12:37-38](/john/12-37 "John 12:37-38 - Despite all the signs, they still did not believe in him") which directly quotes this verse from Isaiah. The "arm of the LORD" is powerfully and paradoxically revealed in Jesus' life, ministry, and especially His crucifixion. While many expected a conquering Messiah, God's saving power was unveiled through the humble, suffering Servant who bore the sins of the world ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross")). The cross, which appears as weakness and foolishness to the world, is in fact the supreme demonstration of God's power and wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross is Foolishness to Those Who are Perishing")). Only those to whom the Spirit reveals this truth can truly believe the report and see the "arm of the LORD" at work in the crucified and resurrected Christ, who is indeed the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Romans 10:17

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 Barjona: 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.