Isaiah 53:8

KJV

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

KJV (with Strong's)

He was taken {H3947} from prison {H6115} and from judgment {H4941}: and who shall declare {H7878} his generation {H1755}? for he was cut off {H1504} out of the land {H776} of the living {H2416}: for the transgression {H6588} of my people {H5971} was he stricken {H5061}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After forcible arrest and sentencing, he was taken away; and none of his generation protested his being cut off from the land of the living for the crimes of my people, who deserved the punishment themselves.

Berean Standard Bible

By oppression and judgment He was taken away, and who can recount His descendants? For He was cut off from the land of the living; He was stricken for the transgression of My people.

American Standard Version

By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 53:8 is a profound declaration within the fourth Servant Song, illuminating the unjust suffering and redemptive death of the Suffering Servant. This verse portrays the Servant's removal from life through a perverted legal process, questioning who could comprehend His unique destiny or posterity, and unequivocally states that His premature death was a vicarious sacrifice for the sins of God's people. It is a cornerstone prophecy, pointing to the substitutionary atonement that would be accomplished through the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 53:8 is nestled within the climactic fourth Servant Song (Isaiah 52:13-53:12), which stands as the theological heart of the book of Isaiah's second major section (chapters 40-66). Following a triumphant opening (Isaiah 52:13-15) that foretells the Servant's exaltation, Isaiah 53 delves into the profound paradox of His suffering. The preceding verses (Isaiah 53:1-7) depict the Servant's humble appearance, rejection, and silent endurance of suffering, emphasizing that His afflictions were not for His own sin but for the transgressions of others. Verse 8 specifically details the judicial injustice He faced and the ultimate purpose of His death, setting the stage for the Servant's burial and subsequent exaltation described in the verses that follow (Isaiah 53:9-12), where His victory over death and His intercessory work are revealed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Isaiah ministered in Judah during the 8th century BC, a period marked by political turmoil, Assyrian aggression, and spiritual decline. While the immediate historical context of Isaiah's audience involved the threat of exile and a need for national repentance, his prophetic vision frequently extended far beyond his own time. The concept of a "suffering servant" was counter-cultural to the prevailing Jewish expectation of a conquering, glorious Messiah who would liberate Israel from foreign oppression. The idea of a righteous individual suffering vicariously for the sins of the community, though present in sacrificial rituals, was not typically associated with the Messiah in popular thought. This prophecy, therefore, challenged conventional wisdom, introducing a radical understanding of divine justice and redemption that would only be fully comprehended centuries later.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 53, and particularly verse 8, is rich with foundational theological themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative. The central theme is **Vicarious Atonement**, where the Servant bears the punishment due to others, as explicitly stated in "for the transgression of my people was he stricken." This concept is foundational to understanding redemption and forgiveness in both Old and New Testaments, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice (see [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love in Christ's Death")). Another significant theme is **Unjust Suffering and Divine Justice**, as the Servant is "taken from prison and from judgment," highlighting a perversion of earthly justice that paradoxically serves a higher, divine purpose of expiation. The **Mystery of the Servant's Identity and Destiny** is also prominent, particularly in the question "who shall declare his generation?", which speaks to the unparalleled nature of His life, death, and spiritual legacy. Finally, the theme of **God's Sovereign Plan** undergirds the entire chapter, demonstrating that the Servant's suffering, though seemingly tragic, was part of God's deliberate plan for salvation (compare [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cut off (Hebrew, _gâzar'_):** The Hebrew verb `gâzar` (H1504) means "to cut down or off," "to destroy," "divide," or "exclude." In this context, "he was cut off out of the land of the living" powerfully conveys the abrupt, decisive, and unnatural termination of the Servant's life. It signifies a violent and premature death, emphasizing that His life was not merely ended but was deliberately severed, highlighting the sacrificial nature of His demise. The term can also imply a divine decree, suggesting that this cutting off was part of a preordained plan.
* **generation (Hebrew, _dôwr'_):** The Hebrew noun `dôwr` (H1755) typically refers to a "revolution of time," an "age," or a "generation" (contemporaries, offspring, or posterity). The phrase "who shall declare his generation?" is notoriously complex. It can imply that no one of His contemporaries truly understood or appreciated His unique life and mission, or that He would have no physical offspring due to His premature death. More profoundly, it can refer to His unique spiritual "generation" or "posterity" – the multitude of believers who would come to life through His sacrifice – a generation so vast and unique that its true nature or origin cannot be fully declared or enumerated by human means.
* **transgression (Hebrew, _peshaʻ'_):** The Hebrew noun `peshaʻ` (H6588) denotes a "revolt," "rebellion," "sin," or "trespass." It signifies a deliberate breaking of a covenant or a willful act of rebellion against God. The phrase "for the transgression of my people was he stricken" is pivotal, clearly stating that the Servant's suffering and death were not for His own sin, but as a direct consequence of the rebellious acts of "my people." This highlights the substitutionary nature of His suffering, bearing the divine judgment due to others' rebellion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He was taken from prison and from judgment:"** This clause describes the Servant's removal from a state of confinement and from a legal process. The terms "prison" (`ʻôtser`, H6115) and "judgment" (`mishpâṭ`, H4941) suggest an oppressive arrest and a perverted judicial proceeding. The Servant was unjustly seized and condemned, indicating a lack of due process and a verdict that was anything but righteous. This highlights the profound injustice inflicted upon Him.
* **"and who shall declare his generation?"** This rhetorical question underscores the unparalleled and mysterious nature of the Servant's life and destiny. It probes the inability of His contemporaries to comprehend Him, the absence of physical descendants due to His early death, or, most significantly, the unique and immeasurable spiritual "generation" or posterity that would result from His redemptive work. It suggests a life so extraordinary that its true significance or lineage cannot be fully articulated or understood by human means.
* **"for he was cut off out of the land of the living:"** This phrase vividly portrays the Servant's premature and violent death. "Cut off" (from `gâzar`, H1504) implies a decisive and unnatural termination of life, emphasizing that His death was not a natural end but a deliberate act. "Out of the land of the living" signifies His removal from the realm of human existence, underscoring the finality and sacrificial nature of His demise.
* **"for the transgression of my people was he stricken."** This final clause provides the crucial theological explanation for the Servant's suffering and death. The repetition of "for" (Hebrew `kî`) emphasizes the causal link. He was "stricken" (`negaʻ`, H5061, a blow or plague, often divine) not for His own wrongdoing, but specifically "for the transgression" (`peshaʻ`, H6588) of God's people. This is the core declaration of vicarious atonement: His suffering was a substitutionary bearing of the punishment due to humanity's rebellion against God.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 53:8 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question** ("who shall declare his generation?"), which serves to emphasize the incomprehensible and unique nature of the Servant's life and legacy, inviting the reader to ponder His unparalleled significance. The phrase "cut off out of the land of the living" uses **Euphemism** to describe death, softening the direct mention while simultaneously highlighting its abrupt and unnatural quality. Furthermore, the entire verse, as part of the Servant Songs, relies heavily on **Prophetic Foreshadowing** and **Symbolism**, where the Suffering Servant functions as a symbolic figure whose experiences prefigure a greater reality. The "stricken" aspect carries **Imagery** of a divine blow or plague, underscoring the theological weight of His suffering as a consequence of sin, albeit borne vicariously.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 53:8 is a theological powerhouse, articulating the bedrock principle of substitutionary atonement. It reveals that the Servant's suffering was not a random act of injustice but a divinely purposed sacrifice, where the innocent bore the penalty for the guilty. This concept is central to understanding God's justice and mercy, demonstrating that while sin demands a penalty, God, in His boundless love, provided a means of redemption through a willing substitute. The verse profoundly connects the Servant's judicial condemnation and premature death directly to the "transgression of my people," establishing the foundational truth that salvation comes through the suffering of another. This foreshadows the New Covenant reality where Christ's death is the ultimate atoning sacrifice, reconciling humanity to God.

* [Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Christ's Death and Resurrection for Our Justification")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")
* [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 53:8 compels us to gaze upon the depths of God's love and the profound cost of our sin. Understanding that the Suffering Servant was "cut off out of the land of the living" and "stricken" for *our* transgressions should evoke a deep sense of gratitude and humility. It reminds us that our salvation is not earned through our own merit or good deeds, but is a free gift purchased at an immeasurable price—the innocent life of the Servant given in exchange for our guilt. This truth should lead to genuine repentance, a turning away from the very transgressions that necessitated such a sacrifice, and a renewed commitment to live in faithful obedience and worship. The verse calls us to acknowledge our utter dependence on God's grace and to place our trust fully in the One who bore our judgment, finding in His suffering the source of our forgiveness, peace, and eternal life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of the Servant being "taken from prison and from judgment" challenge our understanding of justice, both human and divine?**
* **What does "who shall declare his generation?" imply about the unique nature of the Servant's life and the scope of His impact?**
* **In what ways does recognizing that the Servant was "cut off... for the transgression of my people" deepen your appreciation for God's grace and the severity of sin?**
* **How should the truth of substitutionary atonement, as presented in this verse, transform your daily living and your relationship with God?**

### FAQ

**What does "taken from prison and from judgment" mean in this context?**

Answer: This phrase refers to the unjust legal proceedings and confinement that the Suffering Servant endured. "Prison" (Hebrew `ʻôtser`) suggests an oppressive arrest or detention, while "judgment" (Hebrew `mishpâṭ`) refers to a legal verdict or process. The implication is that the Servant was removed from society through a perverted form of justice, condemned despite His innocence. This foreshadows the unjust trials and crucifixion of Jesus, who was arrested, tried, and sentenced by human authorities, despite being found innocent of any wrongdoing (see [John 18:28-40](/john/18-28 "John 18:28-40 - Jesus Before Pilate")).

**Who are "my people" for whom the Servant was stricken?**

Answer: In the immediate context of Isaiah, "my people" primarily refers to the nation of Israel, the covenant people of God, whose sins and rebellion are consistently addressed throughout the book. However, in the broader theological sweep, especially when understood through a New Testament lens, "my people" expands to include all humanity. The Servant's sacrifice is for the "transgression" of all who are alienated from God by sin, offering redemption to both Jew and Gentile (as seen in [Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23-24 - All Have Sinned and Are Justified by Grace")).

**How does "who shall declare his generation?" relate to the Servant's life?**

Answer: This enigmatic question has several layers of meaning. It can suggest that no one of His contemporaries truly understood or appreciated the unique nature of His life and mission. It may also imply that He would have no physical offspring due to His premature death, thus no "generation" in the traditional sense. Most profoundly, it points to the unparalleled and immeasurable spiritual "generation" or "posterity" that would come into being through His redemptive work—a multitude of believers so vast and unique that its true origin and scope cannot be fully declared or enumerated by human means. This interpretation aligns with the Servant "seeing his offspring" in [Isaiah 53:10](/isaiah/53-10 "Isaiah 53:10 - The Servant's Offspring").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 53:8 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the Suffering Servant, "taken from prison and from judgment" through the unjust trials before Caiaphas and Pilate, where He was condemned despite His innocence (as recorded in [Matthew 26:57-68](/matthew/26-57 "Matthew 26:57-68 - Jesus Before the Sanhedrin") and [John 19:1-16](/john/19-1 "John 19:1-16 - Jesus Condemned by Pilate")). The rhetorical question, "who shall declare his generation?", resonates with the unique and unparalleled nature of Jesus' life—His divine origin, His sinless life, and His lack of physical descendants, yet His immense spiritual posterity. He was indeed "cut off out of the land of the living" through His crucifixion, a premature and violent death, but one that was not an accident but a divinely ordained sacrifice. Crucially, the verse declares, "for the transgression of my people was he stricken," a truth powerfully echoed in the New Testament, which affirms that Jesus "bore our sins in his body on the tree" ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). His suffering was vicarious, a substitutionary atonement for the rebellion of humanity, making Him the 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")). Thus, Isaiah 53:8 stands as a remarkable prophetic blueprint, precisely detailing the suffering, unjust condemnation, and redemptive death of the Messiah, fulfilled perfectly in Jesus Christ.

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 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:

Acts 8:33

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

Matthew 26:65

Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

Matthew 26:66

What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

John 19:7

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

John 11:49

And one of them, [named] Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

John 11:52

And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.