Isaiah 53:4
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:4
Verse 4 centers on substitutionary suffering: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” The Hebrew terms carry the sense of sickness and pain that afflict people. Yet, the response of others is not appreciation but misinterpretation: “we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” This reveals the human tendency to read suffering as punishment rather than as participation in it. The Servant’s pain is a compassion-led act on behalf of others. The context emphasizes that the Servant’s work includes healing—spiritual and physical—through bearing the consequences of human brokenness.
This verse anchors the doctrine of atonement: God’s healing is tied to the Servant’s suffering. The notion of bearing griefs and sorrows prefigures Christ’s atonement on the cross, where Jesus takes upon himself humanity’s failures and wounds to effect reconciliation and healing. It signals a salvific approach that emphasizes mercy, empathy, and restorative power—God’s approach to human brokenness.
Apply by offering practical support to those who bear emotional or physical burdens. Volunteer with healthcare and caregiving roles, offering presence and practical help—meals, rides, or listening ears. In personal relationships, practice bearing others’ burdens with compassion, even when it’s costly. Celebrate healing moments, recognizing that God often works through patient, faithful care.
Cross-References: Matthew 8:16–17; 1 Peter 2:24; Psalm 103:3; Romans 8:26.