Isaiah 53:1 kjv
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isaiah 53:1 nkjv
Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
Isaiah 53:1 niv
Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
Isaiah 53:1 esv
Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
Isaiah 53:1 nlt
Who has believed our message?
To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?
Isaiah 53 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 53:3 | He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief... | Isaiah 53:3 (The suffering servant) |
| John 12:37 | But though He had shown so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him. | John 12:37 (Unbelief of Jesus) |
| John 1:11 | He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. | John 1:11 (Rejection by His own) |
| Acts 4:33 | And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus... | Acts 4:33 (Apostles' witness) |
| Romans 10:14 | How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?... | Romans 10:14 (Faith and hearing) |
| 1 Corinthians 1:23 | But we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness. | 1 Cor 1:23 (Christ crucified) |
| 1 Peter 2:7 | "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense, To those who stumble at the word..." | 1 Peter 2:7 (Christ the cornerstone) |
| Matthew 11:4 | Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things that you hear and see: | Matthew 11:4 (Signs to John) |
| John 1:51 | And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." | John 1:51 (Son of Man's connection) |
| Psalm 118:22 | The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. | Psalm 118:22 (Rejected stone) |
| Isaiah 63:1 | Who is this who comes from Edom, With dyed garments from Bozrah, This One who is glorious in His apparel, Traveling in the greatness of His strength?... | Isaiah 63:1 (Mighty Conqueror) |
| Isaiah 52:15 | So shall He sprinkle many nations, Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider. | Isaiah 52:15 (Kings astonished) |
| 2 Corinthians 5:7 | For we walk by faith, not by sight. | 2 Cor 5:7 (Walking by faith) |
| Hebrews 11:1 | Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. | Heb 11:1 (Definition of faith) |
| Luke 24:44 | Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you..." | Luke 24:44 (Jesus explaining OT) |
| John 20:29 | Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." | John 20:29 (Blessed are believers) |
| Isaiah 49:4 | Then I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and emptiness; Yet surely my justification is with the LORD, And my reward with my God." | Isaiah 49:4 (Suffering servant's) |
| Romans 1:17 | For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." | Rom 1:17 (Righteousness by faith) |
| Mark 1:15 | and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." | Mark 1:15 (Repent and believe) |
| Acts 8:37 | Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." | Acts 8:37 (Ethiopian eunuch) |
| 1 John 5:10 | He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God gave of His Son. | 1 John 5:10 (Belief in the Son) |
| John 3:33 | He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. | John 3:33 (He who believes testimony) |
Isaiah 53 verses
Isaiah 53 1 Meaning
Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
Isaiah 53 1 Context
Isaiah 53:1 is the opening statement of the fourth Servant Song in Isaiah. This chapter is a prophecy about the suffering and subsequent exaltation of a mysterious "Servant." The immediate historical context is Isaiah ministering to Judah during a period of spiritual apathy and sin. However, the prophetic context stretches far beyond that, describing in detail the atoning work of a coming Messiah. This verse directly questions the receptivity of people to the message about this Servant, posing a challenge about who will accept this divine revelation.
Isaiah 53 1 Word Analysis
- Who (Mi): An interrogative pronoun. It poses a question, immediately drawing the reader into consideration. It suggests a significant scarcity or disbelief.
- has believed (Hē’mīn): From the root 'āman, meaning to be firm, steadfast, faithful, to believe. It implies a deep, unwavering trust and conviction. The verb is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action or a state of being.
- our report (Sh'mū'ah): Means report, rumor, news, message, or account. In this context, it refers to the prophetic message about the Servant, His suffering, and His mission. The plural "our" likely refers to the prophets or those who understand and proclaim God's word.
- And (Wə): A conjunction connecting two clauses.
- to whom (Mi): Again, an interrogative pronoun. This parallel question reinforces the difficulty in finding those who will accept the message.
- has the arm (Z'rō'a): Refers to the arm, typically symbolizing strength, power, and action. It specifically points to God's power.
- of the LORD (Yhwh): The personal covenant name of God. It emphasizes that the power being revealed is divine and sovereign.
- been revealed (Glûwdah): From the root gālah, meaning to uncover, reveal, or disclose. It signifies making something known that was previously hidden or not understood.
Word Group Analysis
- "Who has believed our report?": This is a rhetorical question emphasizing the profound difficulty of people accepting the unveiled truth about God's Servant. The "report" encompasses the prophetic message of a suffering Messiah, a concept counter to common expectations.
- "And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?": This phrase parallels the first, highlighting the lack of understanding regarding God's powerful intervention through His Servant. The "arm of the Lord" is a frequent biblical metaphor for God's active might and salvation. The question asks who has recognized that God's power is manifested in this Servant.
Isaiah 53 1 Bonus Section
The concept of the "arm of the Lord" is used throughout the Old Testament to describe God's direct intervention and mighty acts, such as leading Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 15:16) or His strength displayed in judgment or deliverance. This verse contrasts that visible power with the hidden, spiritual power manifested in the suffering Servant. Many Jewish people of Jesus' time expected a political and military Messiah who would overthrow Rome, not one who would suffer and die. This created a "stumbling block," as New Testament passages like 1 Corinthians 1:23 describe. The belief questioned here is not simply intellectual assent, but a profound, saving faith in the Messiah as depicted in this prophetic chapter.
Isaiah 53 1 Commentary
This opening verse sets a somber tone for Isaiah 53, immediately confronting the reader with the pervasive reality of disbelief. The prophecy is not merely about a suffering servant, but also about the human tendency to reject divine revelation, especially when it contradicts expectations. The "report" is the truth of God's plan for salvation through vicarious suffering. The "arm of the Lord" signifies God's demonstrable power and saving grace. The verse anticipates the astonishment of those who eventually understand that God's strength was most powerfully displayed in the humble, suffering Servant, rather than in a conquering warrior king. The challenge remains: will we believe the report and see God's power revealed in Christ, or will we, like many of Israel, stumble over this unexpected path to redemption?