Comments on: Jesus’ Messianic Claims: The King of Isaiah 53

By: gary

gary — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 20:27:11 +0000

If you believe that Isaiah chapter 53 is talking about Jesus you haven’t read the preceding chapters:

https://lutherwasnotbornagaincom.wordpress.com/2025/04/29/isaiah-53-context-context-context/

By: Charlene Boardman

Charlene Boardman — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 03:13:19 +0000

In reply to Lois Tverberg. Dear Lois thank you so much for these links! I am a Jewish believer and this is especially wonderful for me. My heart breaks for the Jewish people who are blind and deaf to their own Scriptures!

By: Lois Tverberg

Lois Tverberg — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 16:38:40 +0000

In reply to Fiorentino Delfina. This is a great question! I am writing an article with a response even now.

By: Fiorentino Delfina

Fiorentino Delfina — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 16:21:01 +0000

What response would you give to Nehemiah Gordon and Jews for Judaism when they say that Isaiah 53 pertains only to Israel as the suffering servant. Etc..?

By: Paige

Paige — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 12:09:26 +0000

Dr. Tverberg,
Thank you for your insightful and well written article. I love how you have taken the time to share your knowledge with the rest of us. I think you are on to something when you write about the contradiction of Jesus’ messianic claims – it was something that people struggled with at the time of His life and death, and still struggle with today.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 21:25:43 +0000

I agree that reading the Bible and interpreting Jesus’ teachings in its context makes the reading more meaningful. Jesus definitely understood the Old Testament and was able to incorporate that in his teaching. Interesting that Jesus was given multitudes of people as his reward. Also interesting that just as Jesus suffered, His disciples also will suffer. Jesus is not only a reigning king but also a suffering servant, as seen in Isaiah 53.

By: Reg

Reg — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 07:44:46 +0000

Hi, I know aim a little off subject but would welcome your comments on those by Gerard Lorfink who in Jesus of Nazareth suggests that discipleship of Jesus was very different to that of the rabbis of his time. He suggests follow me is very different to study Torah
Love you material

By: Kennedy

Kennedy — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:59:59 +0000

Thanks for sharing this beautiful insight. I loved the take on Isaiah that you shared and found it enlightening. It was interested in that you said the “two-part Messiah” – the sufferer and the holy God. You asked if Jesus read Isaiah this way, and I think he definitely did. Thanks for your work furthering the kingdom.

By: Areal

Areal — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:55:11 +0000

Hi Lois,
I loved reading about how you have dug into the text and explored how Jesus is claiming to be both the suffering servant and the King of Kings. Also in Isaiah 53:12, I had never understood this passage, but hearing the JPS Tanakh version instead of the NIV, I understand how God is giving Jesus a kingdom. This isn’t “Just a portion” it is a full multitude of people!
Thank you for your input on this!

By: James

James — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:50:29 +0000

Hi Lois,
I liked your interpretation on Isaiah 53. I think that most times people picture Jesus as a King who came to rule over his people, defeat enemies, and lead the people to a life of freedom. However, I believe that it’s important to understand that God didn’t send his Son to defeat those who have done wrong on earth, and to reign supreme, but he sent his Son so that he could save all people from their sins, and in that sense be seen as the King of all Kings. As John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I like how Jesus is viewed as a Servant and a King at the same time, as he died, suffered, and was raised to save all of our sins. As Mark 10:45 states, “ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Thanks for your interpretation, I really enjoyed your connection with Jesus acting as a servant and a king at the same time. Great unity!

By: Tiffany Brower

Tiffany Brower — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:42:39 +0000

I found this article to be fairly intriguing. While studying in my discipleship class we have learned about Jesus and his messianic claims from the Jewish perspective. I never really thought about what Jews thought when Jesus referenced to himself as the “Son of Man”, and how he would suffer for their iniquities. The Jews wanted a king to rule over them and to save them from the Romans. In the end, that’s what Jesus did, just not in the way they would’ve liked. After reading this article, I gained a better understanding of how Jesus was both the son who was going to suffer, and the one who was going to reign. Knowing how the story ends gives us a better advantage of where God was going when Isaiah 53 was written. However, knowing what the Jews in Jesus’ day thought about it is beneficial to us as well.

By: David Russell

David Russell — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 19:35:04 +0000

Hi Lois and others,
Your two-part article is a keeper, and am sharing it with others along with your newsletter of July 29.
-I am fascinated by what some call the “duality of the Messiah”, both suffering servant and King. References have been cited by such sources as torahclass.com, and Hebrew4christians.com, noting Talmudic citations where this duality was supported by the early Rabbinics. I am quite concerned about a perspective that seems rampant today within Christianity. It says, Many were looking for a King and some expected Jesus to be the one. The more he spoke claiming to be the Messiah and from God, the more certain became his ultimate crucifiction and death.
Set aside, or left out, are passages that speak of His purpose, to seek and save that which was lost, and The Son of God came not to be ministered unto but to minister. Luke 19, and Mark 10, respectively.
I wonder your thoughts about this observation?

Of recent, I have discovered the writings of Dr. Eli…