Isaiah 52:13

Behold, my servant. These are the introductory words of a new section that continues through ch. 53:12. The chapter division should come between vs. 12 and 13 rather than after v. 15, for ch. 53:1 continues the line of thought without interruption. In this new section Messiah appears as the suffering Servant (see on chs. 41:8; 42:1). Nowhere in Scripture is there a more vivid presentation of the vicarious nature and atoning character of Christ’s death. It was God’s will that the work of restoration that began with the return from the Captivity should proceed apace and reach a certain climax in the coming of Messiah, who, through His sacrifice on Calvary, would provide deliverance from captivity to sin. Deliverance from Babylon made possible by Cyrus, who defeated Babylon (see on chs. 44:28; 45:1), prefigured the greater deliverance from the dominion of sin made possible by Christ’s victory over the powers of darkness and death (see Col. 2:14, 15; Rev. 1:18).

As time went by, the Jews placed increasing emphasis on those prophecies that pointed to the triumph of Israel over the heathen (see pp. 32, 33), until the idea of material and literal salvation for Israel as a nation practically eclipsed the concept here set forth by Isaiah of the Messiah as One who must first deliver them individually from the power and penalty of sin (see DA 30; see on Luke 4:19). What Israel needed was not so much a great military savior to bring them victory over enemies without, as a Messiah to give them victory over sin.

Deal prudently. Or, “prosper,” as the same Hebrew word is rendered in Jer. 23:5. Messiah, the suffering Servant, would be successful in His mission (see Phil. 2:10, 11).

Exalted and extolled. Messiah would humble Himself, but God would highly exalt Him (Phil. 2:6-10; see on Luke 14:11). The great men of earth would marvel that a man so insignificant by human standards could have so tremendous an influence on men’s thinking, on their lives, and on the course of history (see Isa. 52:14, 15). Today many millions consider it an honor to be known as Christians.