Isaiah 53:4

KJV

¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

KJV (with Strong's)

Surely {H403} he hath borne {H5375} our griefs {H2483}, and carried {H5445} our sorrows {H4341}: yet we did esteem {H2803} him stricken {H5060}, smitten {H5221} of God {H430}, and afflicted {H6031}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In fact, it was our diseases he bore, our pains from which he suffered; yet we regarded him as punished, stricken and afflicted by God.

Berean Standard Bible

Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted.

American Standard Version

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 53:4 stands as a profound prophetic declaration within the Servant Songs, unveiling the astonishing truth that the suffering of God's chosen Servant was not a consequence of His own sin, but a vicarious bearing of humanity's deepest pains and spiritual burdens. It sharply contrasts the Servant's true redemptive mission with the widespread misconception of His contemporaries, who erroneously attributed His affliction to divine judgment for His own perceived transgressions, rather than recognizing His compassionate, substitutionary work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of the fourth and most extensive of Isaiah's "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 52:13–53:12), which collectively portray a mysterious figure whose suffering leads to the salvation of many. Following the Servant's initial introduction as one who will be "raised and lifted up and highly exalted" despite His disfigurement (Isaiah 52:13-15), Isaiah 53 shifts to explain the *reason* for His suffering. Verse 4 initiates the core theological argument: His suffering is not for Himself, but for "our griefs" and "our sorrows," setting the stage for the explicit declaration of substitutionary atonement in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions"). The preceding verses highlight the Servant's shocking appearance and the kings' astonishment, preparing the reader for the revelation of His true purpose.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Written during the Assyrian and Babylonian exilic periods, Isaiah's prophecies often addressed a people grappling with suffering and divine judgment. In the ancient Near East, a common belief system, often reflected in wisdom literature like [the Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - Exploring Suffering and Divine Justice"), posited a direct correlation between suffering and sin: great affliction was typically interpreted as a clear sign of divine punishment for personal wrongdoing. This cultural lens is crucial for understanding the people's misinterpretation of the Servant's suffering in Isaiah 53:4, where they "did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted," assuming His pain was a consequence of His own unrighteousness, rather than a voluntary, redemptive act.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 53:4 powerfully introduces and develops several foundational theological themes. The most prominent is **Substitutionary Atonement**, where the Servant takes upon Himself the burdens and consequences that rightfully belong to others, bearing "our griefs" and "our sorrows." This concept is central to understanding the redemptive plan of God. Another critical theme is **Misunderstanding and Rejection**, as the verse explicitly states that people "did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted," failing to grasp the true nature of His suffering. This highlights the human tendency to misinterpret divine purpose and the profound spiritual blindness that often accompanies the rejection of God's chosen one, a theme echoed in the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus' rejection (e.g., [John 1:10-11](/john/1-10 "John 1:10-11 - The World Did Not Know Him")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **griefs (Hebrew, _chŏlîy'_):** From the root meaning "to be sick," this term denotes sickness, disease, infirmity, or malady. It extends beyond mere emotional sorrow to encompass physical ailments, weakness, and the debilitating effects of sin. The Servant's "bearing" of these griefs implies not just sympathy, but a tangible taking on of the suffering itself, including its physical manifestations and the spiritual sickness that underlies them.
* **sorrows (Hebrew, _makʼôb'_):** This word signifies pain, anguish, or affliction. While _chŏlîy_ often points to the condition of sickness, _makʼôb_ emphasizes the acute, piercing sensation of suffering, both physical and emotional. The pairing of "griefs" and "sorrows" creates a comprehensive picture of the totality of human suffering—physical, psychological, and spiritual—that the Servant willingly shouldered.
* **esteem (Hebrew, _châshab'_):** This verb means "to think, regard, value, compute, or impute." In this context, it highlights the human perspective and judgment concerning the Servant's suffering. The people "esteemed" or "considered" Him to be divinely punished, implying a miscalculation or a false imputation of guilt. Their assessment was based on superficial observation and prevailing cultural assumptions, rather than divine revelation, leading them to fundamentally misunderstand His true identity and purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Surely he hath borne our griefs,"**: The emphatic "Surely" (Hebrew: `ʼâkên`, H403) underscores the certainty and profound truth of the statement. The Servant, identified as "he," has actively "borne" (Hebrew: `nâsâʼ`, H5375) or lifted up and carried away "our griefs." This signifies a substitutionary act where He takes upon Himself the burdens of human sickness, infirmity, and the spiritual maladies that plague humanity. It is an act of removal and assumption.
* **"and carried our sorrows:"**: This clause functions as a synonymous parallel to the first, reinforcing the Servant's vicarious suffering. The word "carried" (Hebrew: `çâbal`, H5445) emphasizes the heavy load and the arduous labor involved in bearing these burdens. "Our sorrows" (Hebrew: `makʼôb`, H4341) refers to the deep pain, anguish, and affliction that are the consequence of sin and the fallen human condition. The Servant is depicted as one who physically and spiritually transports these burdens away from humanity.
* **"yet we did esteem him stricken,"**: This marks a sharp contrast (indicated by "yet") between the Servant's true redemptive work and the human perception of it. "We did esteem him" (Hebrew: `châshab`, H2803) reveals the judgmental and mistaken conclusion of the onlookers. They "considered" or "imputed" His suffering to be a result of Him being "stricken" (Hebrew: `nâgaʻ`, H5060), meaning physically afflicted or touched by a plague or blow, implying a divine judgment.
* **"smitten of God,"**: This phrase explicitly states the human misconception: they believed His suffering was a direct act of divine punishment. "Smitten" (Hebrew: `nâkâh`, H5221) denotes a severe blow, often with fatal intent. The addition "of God" (Hebrew: `ʼĕlôhîym`, H430) makes it clear that the people saw God Himself as the author of the Servant's suffering, punishing Him for His own sins, rather than recognizing that God was orchestrating a redemptive sacrifice.
* **"and afflicted."**: This final clause reiterates the Servant's state of suffering and the human perception of it. "Afflicted" (Hebrew: `ʻânâh`, H6031) means to be humbled, oppressed, or subjected to hardship. It reinforces the idea that the Servant was seen as one undergoing severe, divinely imposed hardship, completing the picture of a person suffering under God's wrath, in stark opposition to the truth revealed in the first part of the verse.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 53:4 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, seen in the pairing of "borne our griefs" and "carried our sorrows." This repetition with slightly different wording emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the Servant's burden-bearing work. A powerful **Contrast** or **Antithesis** is established between the Servant's actual role (bearing humanity's burdens) and the human perception of His suffering (being "stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted"). This stark opposition highlights the profound misunderstanding of the onlookers. Furthermore, there is a deep **Irony** at play: the very one who is suffering *for* the sins of humanity is perceived *by* humanity as suffering *because of* His own sins, inflicted by God. This dramatic irony underscores the spiritual blindness of those who witnessed His affliction. The entire passage functions as **Prophecy** and **Foreshadowing**, pointing centuries ahead to the person and work of Jesus Christ, whose life and death perfectly embody the Servant's suffering and redemptive purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 53:4 is a foundational text for understanding the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, revealing that the Servant's suffering was not punitive for His own sake, but redemptive for humanity's. It establishes the principle that God's chosen one would bear the consequences of human sin and suffering, thereby providing healing and peace. This verse sets the stage for the explicit declaration in the following verse that the Servant was "wounded for our transgressions" and "bruised for our iniquities," making it clear that His suffering was entirely vicarious. The New Testament writers consistently draw upon this prophecy to explain the meaning of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, affirming that He is the ultimate fulfillment of the Suffering Servant. His bearing of our griefs and sorrows encompasses both physical healing and spiritual deliverance from the burden of sin.

* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions")
* [Matthew 8:17](/matthew/8-17 "Matthew 8:17 - Jesus Fulfills Prophecy by Healing")
* [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins on the Cross")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 53:4 offers profound comfort and a transformative perspective on suffering. It assures us that Jesus, the Suffering Servant, intimately understands and has personally carried the full weight of human griefs and sorrows—physical ailments, emotional anguish, and the spiritual burden of sin. When we experience pain, sickness, or deep distress, we are not alone; Christ has already borne these very burdens. This truth invites us to bring our brokenness, our anxieties, and our physical infirmities directly to Him, trusting in His compassionate understanding and His power to bring healing and rest. Beyond comfort, this verse challenges us to move past superficial judgments and embrace the radical, self-giving nature of Christ's love. It calls us to respond with gratitude and to live lives that reflect the selfless love we have received, recognizing that our salvation came at an immeasurable cost.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that Jesus bore "our griefs and sorrows" change your perspective on your own suffering?**
* **In what ways might we, like the people of Isaiah's time, still "esteem" Jesus or others based on misperceptions rather than truth?**
* **What specific "griefs" or "sorrows" are you currently carrying that you need to surrender to the One who has already borne them?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "he" in Isaiah 53:4, and why is this significant?**

Answer: In Christian theology, the "he" in Isaiah 53:4, and throughout the Servant Songs, is understood to be a prophetic reference to Jesus Christ. This identification is significant because it reveals that Jesus' suffering was not accidental or a consequence of His own sin, but a divinely ordained, purposeful act of substitutionary atonement, foretold centuries before His birth. He is the unique individual who perfectly fulfills the role of the Suffering Servant, bearing the sins and sorrows of humanity. The New Testament explicitly applies these prophecies to Jesus, such as when [Matthew quotes Isaiah 53:4](/matthew/8-17 "Matthew 8:17 - Jesus Fulfills Prophecy by Healing") in relation to Jesus' healing ministry.

**Does "borne our griefs" and "carried our sorrows" imply physical healing for all believers?**

Answer: While Isaiah 53:4 certainly encompasses physical suffering and its removal, as evidenced by [Matthew 8:17](/matthew/8-17 "Matthew 8:17 - Jesus Fulfills Prophecy by Healing") applying it to Jesus' healing ministry, its primary and ultimate scope is the bearing of the spiritual sickness and pain caused by sin. The Hebrew words for "griefs" (_chŏlîy_) and "sorrows" (_makʼôb_) include physical infirmity, but also broader concepts of spiritual malady, anguish, and the consequences of the Fall. Jesus' atoning work provides holistic redemption, addressing both the physical and spiritual dimensions of human suffering. While not guaranteeing immediate physical healing for every ailment in this life, it assures ultimate healing and freedom from all suffering in eternity, and empowers believers to find strength and comfort in Him amidst present struggles.

**What does it mean that people "did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted"?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the profound misunderstanding and rejection of the Servant by His contemporaries. In ancient cultures, severe suffering was often interpreted as direct evidence of divine punishment for personal sin (as seen in [the Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - Exploring Suffering and Divine Justice")). Therefore, when people saw the Servant suffering, they wrongly concluded that God Himself was striking Him down due to His own wickedness. This stands in stark contrast to the truth revealed in the first part of the verse—that He was suffering *for others*. It underscores the spiritual blindness of those who failed to recognize His true identity and redemptive mission, misinterpreting His voluntary sacrifice as divine judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 53:4 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the Suffering Servant, uniquely qualified to "bear our griefs" and "carry our sorrows." His entire earthly ministry, from His compassionate healing of the sick and afflicted (as recorded in [Matthew 8:17](/matthew/8-17 "Matthew 8:17 - Jesus Fulfills Prophecy by Healing")) to His agonizing journey to the cross, was a direct embodiment of this prophecy. On the cross, Jesus truly became "stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted," not for His own sins, but as the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). He bore the full weight of humanity's spiritual sickness, emotional anguish, and the just wrath of God against sin, becoming a curse for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). His suffering was vicarious, a substitutionary act of love that purchased our peace and healing, demonstrating that through His stripes, we are healed ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins on the Cross")). Thus, Isaiah 53:4 is not merely a historical observation but a profound theological truth that anchors the very core of the Gospel: Christ suffered for us, so that we might have life and peace.

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

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Matthew 8:17

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare [our] sicknesses.

Galatians 3:13

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:

1 John 2:2

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

1 Peter 3:18

¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Isaiah 53:5

But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 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.