The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 53:12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The false accusation.

"He was numbered with the transgressors." The fact that he who was the Author of all law and the Judge of all moral agents was himself classed with transgressors is most suggestive; it calls our attention to the truth—

I. THAT A RIGHTEOUS MAN, though he is righteous, MAY BE CHARGED WITH WRONG. If Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, was accused of sin, how much more may we, who are only comparatively and imperfectly righteous, be so charged!

II. THAT A RIGHTEOUS MAN MAY, in virtue of his righteousness, BE ACCUSED OF WRONG. Jesus Christ was charged with blasphemy because he said what he said and acted as he did in pursuance of his great and beneficent mission; he was accused of fellowship with sin because he was bent on carrying his gospel of grace to the very worst of mankind (Luke 15:2). In the same way, a good man may lay himself open to the charge of transgression in virtue of his very excellency; a devout man, because of his devotion, to the charge of pietism or hypocrisy; a zealous man, because of his ardour, to the charge of fanaticism; a courageous man, to the charge of rashness; a trustful man, to the accusation of presumption, etc.

III. THAT THE FALSELY ACCUSED HAVE THREE GREAT CONSOLATIONS.

1. The approval of their own conscience.

2. The knowledge that they take rank with their great Leader, who was himself numbered with the transgressors, and with all the best of the good in every age and land (Matthew 5:11, Matthew 5:12).

3. The assurance that they have the commendation and the sympathy of their Divine Lord. Enemies may accuse us; brethren may fail us; notwithstanding, "the Lord stands with us, and strengthens us" (2 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 4:17).—C.

HOMILIES BY R. TUCK

More for Isaiah 53:12

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 53:1-12Isaiah 53:1-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THE PASSIONAL, OR THE GREAT PROPHECY OF THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST, AND OF HIS LATER EXALTATION. Polycarp the Lysian calls this chapter "the golden passional of the Old Testament evangelist." Delitzsch says of…The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 53:7-12Isaiah 53:7-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryPatience and the Divine purpose. In the picture of the Servant of Jehovah we have an exemplification of the force of quiet endurance which prevails over violence, even to victory. I. AN EXAMPLE OF SUBMISSION TO WRONG. T…Matthew Henry on Isaiah 53:10-12Isaiah 53:10-12 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryCome, and see how Christ loved us! We could not put him in our stead, but he put himself. Thus he took away the sin of the world, by taking it on himself. He made himself subject to death, which to us is the wages of si…The Exaltation of the Messiah; The Triumph of the Messiah. (b. c. 706.)Isaiah 53:10-12 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE EXALTATION OF THE MESSIAH; THE TRIUMPH OF THE MESSIAH. (B. C. 706.) In the Isaiah 53:19 the prophet had testified very particularly of the sufferings of Christ, yet mixing some hints of the happy issue of them; here…The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 53:12Isaiah 53:12 · The Pulpit CommentaryTherefore (see the comment on Isaiah 53:11, sub init.). Will I divide him a portion with the great; i.e. "I will place him among the great conquering ones of the earth"—an accommodation to human modes of thought analogo…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 53:1-12EXPOSITION THE PASSIONAL, OR THE GREAT PROPHECY OF THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST, AND OF HIS LATER EXALTATION. Polycarp the Lysian calls this chapter "the golden passional of the Old Testament evangelist." Delitzsch says of…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 53:7-12Patience and the Divine purpose. In the picture of the Servant of Jehovah we have an exemplification of the force of quiet endurance which prevails over violence, even to victory. I. AN EXAMPLE OF SUBMISSION TO WRONG. T…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 53:10-12Come, and see how Christ loved us! We could not put him in our stead, but he put himself. Thus he took away the sin of the world, by taking it on himself. He made himself subject to death, which to us is the wages of si…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Exaltation of the Messiah; The Triumph of the Messiah. (b. c. 706.)THE EXALTATION OF THE MESSIAH; THE TRIUMPH OF THE MESSIAH. (B. C. 706.) In the Isaiah 53:19 the prophet had testified very particularly of the sufferings of Christ, yet mixing some hints of the happy issue of them; here…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 53:12Therefore (see the comment on Isaiah 53:11, sub init.). Will I divide him a portion with the great; i.e. "I will place him among the great conquering ones of the earth"—an accommodation to human modes of thought analogo…Joseph S. Exell and contributors