Isaiah 53:9

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither [was any] deceit in his mouth.

And he made {H5414} his grave {H6913} with the wicked {H7563}, and with the rich {H6223} in his death {H4194}; because he had done {H6213} no violence {H2555}, neither was any deceit {H4820} in his mouth {H6310}.

He was given a grave among the wicked; in his death he was with a rich man. Although he had done no violence and had said nothing deceptive,

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.

And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Isaiah 53:9 is a profoundly prophetic verse within the "Suffering Servant" passage, offering a remarkable foretelling of the Messiah's death and burial, specifically pointing to Jesus Christ.

Context of Isaiah 53:9

This verse is part of Isaiah's fourth and most detailed "Servant Song" (Isaiah 52:13-53:12), which describes the Messiah's voluntary suffering, atoning death, and subsequent exaltation. Following descriptions of the Servant's disfigurement and rejection, verse 9 focuses on the circumstances surrounding his death and burial, emphasizing his unparalleled innocence despite the wicked treatment he received. It sets the stage for understanding the redemptive purpose of his suffering, a central theme of this chapter.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Messiah's Burial: The prophecy states the Servant would be buried "with the wicked" (implying a criminal's grave) and "with the rich in his death." This seemingly contradictory statement was perfectly fulfilled in Jesus' crucifixion, where he was condemned alongside criminals, yet buried in the new tomb of a wealthy man, Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-60, John 19:38-42). This demonstrates divine providence at work.
  • Unblemished Innocence: The latter part of the verse, "because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth," underscores the Servant's absolute moral purity. Despite being condemned as a criminal, he was utterly blameless. This blamelessness is crucial for his role as the perfect, sinless sacrifice, as highlighted in 1 Peter 2:22, which directly echoes this Isaiah passage.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: Isaiah's detailed prediction, written centuries before Christ, serves as powerful evidence of biblical prophecy and God's sovereign plan for salvation through the Messiah.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "violence" is chamas (חָמָס), which signifies not just physical aggression but also injustice, wrongdoing, and oppression. Its inclusion here emphasizes that the Servant was not guilty of any criminal act or moral transgression. Similarly, "deceit" (mirmah, מִרְמָה) refers to treachery, fraud, or falsehood. The phrase "neither was any deceit in his mouth" highlights the Servant's perfect integrity and truthfulness, contrasting sharply with the false accusations brought against him during his trial.

Practical Application and Reflection

Isaiah 53:9 offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us of the incredible injustice Jesus endured, yet it also highlights his perfect character and the divine purpose behind his suffering. His blameless life and atoning death mean that our salvation is founded on a perfect sacrifice. This verse encourages us to:

  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even in the face of profound injustice and seemingly contradictory circumstances, God's plan is unfolding perfectly.
  • Embrace Integrity: The Servant's life of no violence and no deceit serves as a powerful model for believers to live lives of truthfulness and integrity, even when it is costly.
  • Appreciate the Sacrifice: Reflect on the immense love and sacrifice of Christ, who, though sinless, bore the penalty for our sins, as further explained in Isaiah 53:5.
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 2:22

    Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

  • Matthew 27:57

    ¶ When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

  • Matthew 27:60

    And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

  • 1 John 3:5

    And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • Mark 15:43

    Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

  • Mark 15:46

    And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
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