Isaiah 53:9
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isaiah 53:9 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth." is a prophetic verse from the book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible. This verse refers to the righteous servant of God, who is portrayed as suffering unjustly alongside criminals and yet being buried in a rich man's tomb. It highlights the innocence and righteousness of the servant, despite the unjust treatment he receives. This verse is often interpreted as foreshadowing the death and burial of Jesus Christ, who was crucified alongside criminals but was buried in the tomb of a wealthy man, Joseph of Arimathea. The verse emphasizes the paradoxical nature of Jesus' death - a death meant for criminals, but carried out on behalf of the righteous. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate plan for redemption and salvation through the sacrificial death of Jesus.
Theological Overview
One theological interpretation of this verse from Isaiah 53:9 focuses on the dual nature of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine. The phrase "he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death" has been seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus' crucifixion between two criminals, as well as his burial in the tomb of a wealthy man, Joseph of Arimathea. This juxtaposition highlights the paradox of Jesus' identity as the innocent Lamb of God who took on the sins of the world. Furthermore, the mention of "no violence" and "no deceit" emphasizes the purity and blamelessness of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant who would offer himself as a sacrifice for the salvation of mankind.
Isaiah 53:9 in other translations
American Standard Version
And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
World English Bible
They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Douay-Rheims
And he shall give the ungodly for his burial, and the rich for his death: because he hath done no iniquity, neither was there deceit in his mouth.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he made his graue with the wicked, and with the riche in his death, though hee had done no wickednesse, neither was any deceite in his mouth.