Amos becomes a prophet | Hosea becomes a prophet | Micah becomes a prophet | Isaiah becomes a prophet | Ahaz becomes king of Judah | Hoshea becomes king of Israel | Israel falls to the Assyrians | Hezekiah becomes king of Judah | Sennacherib surrounds Jerusalem | Manasseh becomes king of Judah | Isaiah's ministry ends | Josiah becomes king of Judah | 760 B.C. | 753 | 742 | 740 | 735 | 732 | 722 | 715 | 701 | 697 | 681 | 640 |
Vital statistics
Purpose:
| To call the nation of Judah back to God and to tell of God's salvation through the Messiah | Author: | The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz | Date written: | The events of chapters 1-39 occurred during Isaiah's ministry, so they were probably written about 70 B.C. Chapters 40-66, however, may have been written near the end of his life, about 681 B.C. | Setting: | Isaiah is speaking and writing mainly to Jerusalem | Key verse: | "But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed" (53:5) | Key people: | Isaiah; his two sons, Shear-jashub and Maher-shalal-hash-baz | Special features: | The book of Isaiah contain both prose and poetry and uses personification (attributing personal qualities to divine being or inanimate objects). Also, many of the prophecies in Isaiah contain predictions that foretell a soon-to-occur event and a distant future event at the same time. |
The Rulers and Prophets of Isaiah's Time
840 | 830 | 820 | 810 | 800 | 790 | 780 | 770 | 760 | 750 | 740 | 730 | 720 | 710 | 700 | 690 | 680 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Shalmaneser V 727-722 | | | Kings of Assyria | | | | | Tiglath-pileser III(Tiglath-pilneser III) 745 727 | Sargon II 722 705 | Sennacherib 705 681 | | | | | | | | | | | | Kings of Israel (Northern Kingdom) | | Shallum 1 month | Pekajiah 742 740 | | Northern 10 tribes taken captive by King Shalmaneser V of Assyria in 722 B.C | | | | | | Menahen 752 742 | Hoshea 732 722 | | | | | | | | | | | 752 Pekah 732 | | | Prophets to Israel (Northern Kingdom) | | | | 755 Hosea 714 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Kings of Judah (Southern Kingdom) | 790 Uzziah or Azariah 739 | | | | | | | | | | | 750 Jotham 731 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 735 Ahaz 715 | | | | | | | | | | | 730 Hezekiah 686 | | | | | | | | | | | | 797 Manasseh | | Isaiah and His Contemporary Prophets (Southern Kingdom) | | | | | | ISAIAH 739 681 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 733 Micah 701 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 840 | 830 | 820 | 810 | 800 | 790 | 780 | 770 | 760 | 750 | 740 | 730 | 720 | 710 | 700 | 690 | 680
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("Discover the Bible for yourself" by Key Arthur. p.133)
Some Names for God in the Prophets
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Branch (Zech. 3:8; 6:12)
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The Messiah who will come from the family of David to rule in righteousness.
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Commander (Is. 55:4)
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The military leader of His people.
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Counselor (Is. 9:6)
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The Messiah who will carry the government on His shoulders.
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Desire of Nations (Hag. 2:7)
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The One to whom all nations will eventually come.
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Everlasting Father (Is. 9:6)
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The eternally compassionate One.
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Foundation (Is. 28:16)
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The One on whom one can safely build.
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Fountain (Zech. 13:1)
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The One who removes sin and impurity.
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Lawgiver (Is. 33:22)
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The absolute standard of moral conduct.
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Messiah (Dan. 9:25–26)
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The anointed Deliverer.
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Mighty God (Is. 9:6)
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The powerful and sovereign Lord.
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Purifier (Mal. 3:3)
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The One who cleans away that which hinders or destroys.
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Redeemer (Is. 59:20; 60:16)
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The One who frees His people by paying a price.
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Refiner (Mal. 3:3)
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The One who uses trials to remove sin as fire refines gold.
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Refuge (Is. 25:4)
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The Person in whom one can find safety and protection.
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Righteousness (Jer. 23:6; 33:16)
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The One who is completely without sin and filled with absolute goodness.
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Rod (Is. 11:1)
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The Messiah who is descended from Jesse.
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Servant (Is. 42:1; 49:5–7)
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The faithful Son of God who does His Father’s will.
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Wonderful (Is. 9:6)
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God incomprehensible and good.
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Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Gn 1.1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The Four “Servant Songs” of Isaiah
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The Just Servant (Is. 42:1–4)
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The Lord’s Servant will bring about justice for Jew and Gentile alike.
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The Called Servant (Is. 49:1–6)
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The Lord’s Servant will be called from His mother’s womb to the task of restoring the tribes of Israel and bringing a light to the Gentiles.
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The Wise Servant (Is. 50:4–9)
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The Lord will give His Servant wisdom to withstand the attacks of His enemies.
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The Suffering Servant (Is. 52:13–53:12)
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The Lord’s Servant will take upon Himself the sins of people.
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Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Gn 1.1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The Suffering Servant
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Isaiah’s Prophecy
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Fulfillment
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He would be exalted (Is. 52:13)
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Phil. 2:9
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He would be disfigured by suffering (Is 52:14; 53:2)
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Mark 15:17, 19
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He would make a blood atonement (Is. 52:15)
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1 Pet. 1:2
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He would be widely rejected (Is. 53:1, 3)
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John 12:37–38
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He would bear our sins and sorrows (Is. 53:4–5)
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Rom. 4:25; 1 Pet. 2:24–25
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He would be our substitute (Is. 56:6, 8)
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2 Cor. 5:21
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He would voluntarily accept our guilt and punishment (Is. 53:7–8)
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John 10:11; 19:30
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He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb (Is. 53:9)
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John 19:38–42
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He would save those who believed in Him (Is. 53:10–11)
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John 3:16; Acts 16:31
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He would die on behalf of transgressors (Is. 53:12)
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Mark 15:27–28; Luke 22:37
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Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Is 53.5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The Oracles
Isa. 13:1–14:23
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Against Babylon
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Isa. 14:24–27
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Against Assyria
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Isa. 14:28–32
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Against Philistia
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Isa. 15–16
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Against Moab
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Isa. 17
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Against Damascus
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Isa. 18
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Against Cush
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Isa. 19
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Against Egypt
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Isa. 20
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Against Egypt & Cush
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Isa. 21:1–10
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Against Babylon
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Isa. 21:11–12
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Against Edom
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Isa. 21:13–17
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Against Arabia
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Isa. 22
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Against Jerusalem
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Isa. 23
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About Tyre
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Isa. 24
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Portrait of judgments
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Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher's commentary. Includes index. (378). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of the Suffering Servant.
The Prophecy | The Fulfillment |
He will be exalted (52:13)
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Philippians 2:9
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He will be disfigured by suffering (52:14; 53:2)
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Mark 15:17, 19
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He will be widely rejected (53:1, 3)
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John 12:37, 38
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He will bear our sins and sorrows (53:4)
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Romans 4:25; 1 Peter 2:24, 25
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He will make a blood atonement (53:5)
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Romans 3:25
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He will be our substitute (53:6, 8)
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2 Corinthians 5:21
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He will voluntarily accept our guilt and punishment (53:7)
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John 10:11
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He will be buried in a rich man’s tomb (53:9)
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John 19:38-42
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He will justify many from their sin (53:10, 11)
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Romans 5:15-19
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He will die with transgressors (53:12)
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Mark 15:27, 28; Luke 22:37
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New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (Is 53.6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The Prophetic Points of History Prophet's Own Time | Captivity and Restoration | Intertestamental Period | Christ's First Coming | Christ's Second Coming | New Heaven New Earth
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Isaiah
Served as a prophet to Judah from 740-681 B.C. CLIMATE OF THE TIMES
| Society was in a great upheaval. Under King Ahaz and King Manasseh, the people reverted to idolatry, and there was even child sacrifice. | MAIN MESSAGE
| Although judgment from other nations was inevitable, the people could still have a special relationship with God.
| IMPORTANCE OF MESSAGE
| Sometimes we must suffer judgment and discipline before we are restored to God. | CONTEMPORARY PROPHETS
| Hosea (753-7125 B.C), Micah (742-687 B.C.) |
The Nations in Prophecy
(prophets listed in chronological order)
| Amos | Isaiah | Jeremiah | Ezekiel | Miscellaneous | Babylon | | 13:1-14::23 Destruction: like Sodom and Gomorrah; no survivors | 50-51 Captivity, destruction; humiliation; desolation; ruin | | Habakkuk 2:6-17 Destruction; disgrace | Philistia | 1:6-8 Remnant will perish; destruction | 14:29-32 Helpless; famine; defeated from north | 47 Conquered from north; destruction; mourning remnant | 25:15-17 Destruction; remnant cut off | | Moab | 2:1-3 Fire, death | 15-16 Devastation; ruin; mourning; some remnant | 48 Desolation; shame; exile; laughingstock; future restoration | 25:8-11 Captivity | | Damascus | 1:3-5 Cut off, exile | 17:1-3 Ruin, but a remnant left | 49:23-27 Helpless; destruction | | | Egypt | | 19 Civil war; economic decline; military defeat; conquered by Assyria | 46:1-26 To be conquered by Nebuchadnezzar | 29-32 Overcome by Babylon
| | Edom | 1:11-12 Fire | 21:11-12 Devastation, but possibility of survival | 49:7-22 Flight; ruin; object of horror; like Sodom and Gomorrah desolation | 25:12-14 Laid waste
| Obadiah: Destruction no survivors | Tyre | 1:9-10 Burning of citadels | 23 Destruction conquest; restoration after 70 years | | 26-28 Overthrown; mourning; destruction | | Amon | 1:13-15 Exile | | 49:1-6 Desolate heap possessed by Israel; exile future restoration | 25:1-7 destruction | | Nineveh | | | | | Nahum: Control of Judah ended; besieged; destroyed; plundered |
The Blueprint
A. WORDS OF JUDGMENT (1:1-39:8)
- The sins of Israel and Judah
- Judgment against heathen nations
- God's purpose in judgment
- Jerusalem's true and false hopes
- Events during the reign of Hezekiah
| The 39 chapters in the first half of Isaiah generally carry the message of judgment for sin. Isaiah brings the message of judgment to Judah. Israel, and the surrounding pagan nations. The people of Judah had a from of godliness, but in their hearts they were corrupt. Isaiah's warnings were intended to purity the people by helping them understand God's true nature and message. However, they ignored the repeated warnings that Isaiah brought. We need to heed the prophetic voice and not repeat their error. | B. WORDS OF COMFORT (40:1-66:24)
- Israel's release from captivity
- The future Redeemer
- The future Kingdom
| The 27 chapters in the second half of Isaiah generally bring a message of forgiveness, comfort, and hope. This message of hope looks forward to the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah speaks more about the Messiah than does any other Old Testament prophet. He describes the Messiah as both a suffering Servant and a sovereign Lord. The fact that the Messiah was to be both a suffering Servant and a sovereign Lord could not be understood clearly until New Testament times. Based on what Jesus Christ has done, God freely offers forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith. This is God's message of comfort to us because those who heed it find eternal peace and fellowship with him. |
Isaiah Overview

Isaiah Fulfilled at Christ's First Advent
Reference | Fulfilled Literally | 7:14 | The virgin birth of Christ (Mt 1:23) | 8:14, 15 | A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall (Ro 9:33; 1Ped 2:8) | 8:17 | Christ's hope and trust in God (Heb 2:13a) | 8:18 | The Son of GOd and the children of God (Heb 2:13b) | 9:1, 2 | The arrival of Jesus in the areas of Zebulun and Naphtali (Mt 4:12-16) | 9:6a | The birth of Immanuel (Mt 1:23; Lk 1:31-33; 2:7, 11) | 11:1 | Revival of the Davidic dynasty (Mt 1:6, 16; Ac 13:23; Rev 5:5; 22:16) | 12:3 | Water from the wells of salvation (Jn 4:10, 14) | 25:8 | The swallowing up of death (1Co 15:54) | 28:11 | The gift of tongues as an authenticating sign of God's messengers (1Co 14:21, 22) | 28:16 | Incarnation of Jesus Christ (Mt 21:42) | 29:18; 35:5 | Jesus's healing of the physically deaf and blind (Mt 11:5) | 40:3-5 | Preaching of John the Baptist (My 3:3; Mk 1:3, Lk 3:4-6; Jn 1:23) | 42:1a, 2, 3 | Christ at His baptism (Mt 3:16, 17) and transfiguration (Mt 17:5) and His general demeanor throughout His first advent | 42:6 | Christ extended the benefits of the New Covenant to the Church (Heb 8:6, 10-12) | 42:7 | Jesus healed physical blindness and provided liberty for the spiritual captives (Mt 11:5; Lk 4:18) | 42:7 | Jesus removel spiritual darkness at His first coming (Mt 4:16) | 50:6 | Jesus beaten and spat upon (Mt 26:67; 27:26m 40; Mk 14:65; 15:19; Lk 22:63; Jn 18:22) | 50:7 | Jesus resolutely setting His face to go to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51) | 53:1 | Israel failed to recognize her Messiah (Jn 12:38) | 53:4 | Jesus healed sick people as a symbol of His bearing of sin (Mt 8:16, 17) | 53:7, 8 | Philip identifies Jesus as the one about whom the prophet wrote (Ac 8:32. 33) | 53:7 | Jesus remained silent at all phases of His trial. (Mt 26:63; 27:12-14; Mk 14:61; 15:5; Lk 23:9; Jn 19:9; Jn 19:9; 1Pe 2:23) | 53:7 | Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29; 1Pe 1:18, 19; Rev 5:6) | 53:9 | Jesus was completely innocent of all charges against Him (1Pe 2:22) | 53:12 | Jesus saw the need to be crucified between two criminals (Lk 22:37) | 54:13 | Jesus saw those who come to Him at His first advent as taught by God (Jn 6:45) | 55:3 | Christ's resurrection was prerequisite to His someday occupying David's throne on earth (Ac 13:34) | 61:1, 2a | Jesus saw His first-advent ministry as a spiritual counterpart of His second-advent deliverance of Israel (Lk 4:18, 19) | 62:11 | Jesus fulfilled the call to the daughter of Zion in His triumphal entry (Mt 21:5) |
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