Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 79:313 (Jan 1922)
Article: The Passion Prophecy Of Isaiah
Author: W. H. Turton

BSac 79:313 (Jan 1922) p. 72

The Passion Prophecy Of Isaiah

Lieut.-Col. W. H. Turton

Introduction

It is proposed in this paper to consider what is called the Messianic interpretation of the well-known prophecy of Isaiah (52.13-53–12). The subject, of course, has been often discussed from various points of view; all we shall do here is to take the passage as it stands in the Revised Version, and see how closely it agrees with the events at the close of Christ’s life. The doctrinal agreements, though interesting to believers, are of little value to anyone else; since it can always be said that the Christian doctrine itself was to a great extent founded on this passage. We will therefore only just touch upon these, and in the table at the end they are printed in brackets.

13. Behold My Servant shall deal wisely, He shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.

In the first place the Sufferer, as we may call the Subject of this passage, is described as God’s Servant. This is a term which is sometimes applied to the Jewish nation, but the rest of the passage shows that it means here a prophet or religious teacher; while the reference to the Lord (Jehovah) in ver. 10 shows that he was one of the Jewish nation. After this we have the wisdom of His teaching, and His future exaltation, which latter is strongly emphasized.

And how well it all applies to the case of Christ must be obvious to everyone. For He was in a special sense a prophet or religious teacher; He belonged to the Jewish Nation; the excellence of His conduct is now generally admitted; while His exalted position cannot be disputed.

BSac 79:313 (Jan 1922) p. 73

This latter point is specially interesting, for the writer seems to have tried to make it as emphatic as possible, adding clause to clause, exalted, and lifted up, and very high. And yet the reality has exceeded all that he could have imagined, for hundreds of millions of the human race now worship this despised Sufferer as their God.

14. Like as many were astonied at Thee (His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men) so shall He sprinkle many nations.

And now the writer alludes to the pitiable condition of the Sufferer. He was exhibited to the public gaze, so that many saw Him, with both His face and body terribly disfigured, the latter implying that the body was now exposed.

And all this (though it would not suit many kinds of death, such as beheading or drowning) exactly suits a death by crucifixion, especially if preceded by a Roman scou...