Isaiah 53:8

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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?

Isaiah 53:8 is a pivotal verse within the "Servant Songs" of the Old Testament, specifically the fourth and most detailed song (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). It continues to describe the unjust suffering and sacrificial death of the Suffering Servant, widely understood by Christians as a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Context

The prophet Isaiah lived in the 8th century BC, ministering to Judah before the Babylonian exile. His prophecies often looked far into the future, speaking of God's judgment, salvation, and the coming Messiah. Isaiah 53 stands out as a remarkable foretelling of the Messiah's role not as a conquering king, but as a suffering servant who would bear the sins of others. This particular verse highlights the injustice of his trial and the sacrificial nature of his death, emphasizing that his life was cut short for the sins of "my people," referring to Israel and, by extension, all humanity.

Key Themes

  • Unjust Judgment and Suffering: The phrase "He was taken from prison and from judgment" speaks to a legal process that was deeply flawed and oppressive. The Servant endured an unjust arrest and trial, leading to his condemnation despite his innocence. This theme resonates strongly with the trials Jesus faced before His crucifixion, as detailed in the Gospels.
  • Premature and Violent Death: "cut off out of the land of the living" vividly describes a life ended abruptly and violently. It underscores that the Servant's death was not a natural end but a deliberate act, a sacrificial cutting short of life.
  • Vicarious Atonement: The core message of the verse is encapsulated in "for the transgression of my people was he stricken." This reveals the profound truth of vicarious atonement – the Servant suffered and died not for His own sins, but as a substitute for the sins of others. His suffering was a divine punishment for human rebellion, borne by Him on their behalf.
  • Mysterious Lineage/Legacy: "who shall declare his generation?" is a complex phrase. It can refer to His contemporaries (who truly understood Him?), His offspring (He had none in a physical sense, as He died young), or His spiritual posterity (those who would believe in Him). It also hints at the unparalleled nature of His life and mission, making His "generation" or unique manner of life difficult to fully comprehend or describe.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew phrase for "taken from prison and from judgment" (מֵעֹצֶר וּמִמִּשְׁפָּט - me'otser u'mimmishpat) suggests a removal from confinement and a perverted legal process. It implies an oppressive arrest and a verdict that was not just.
  • "cut off" (נִגְזַר - nigzar) is a strong verb, often used for a decree or a violent separation. Here, it emphasizes the abrupt and decisive termination of the Servant's life.
  • "his generation" (דּוֹרוֹ - doro) is rich in possible meanings. While it can mean "his contemporaries" or "his offspring," in this context, it often refers to the unique and unexplainable nature of His life, His destiny, or the lack of recognition from His own era. The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:33 quotes this very line when seeking understanding from Philip.
  • "stricken" (נֶגַע - negaʿ) typically refers to a plague or a divine blow. Its use here highlights that the suffering inflicted upon the Servant was not merely human violence but a divine act of judgment, though directed at Him for the sins of others.

Practical Application

Isaiah 53:8 calls us to contemplate the immense cost of sin and the boundless love of God demonstrated through the Suffering Servant. It is a powerful reminder that our salvation is not earned but freely given through the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Understanding that He was "cut off" for our transgressions should lead to deep gratitude, repentance, and a commitment to live lives worthy of such a great sacrifice. It underscores the foundational truth of the Christian faith: that through His unjust suffering and death, we receive forgiveness and eternal life. This verse compels us to acknowledge our need for a Savior and to trust in the one who bore our judgment.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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