Isaiah 53:4 is one of the most well-known prophecies about Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. It says, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” This verse points to Jesus as the Suffering Servant who would take upon himself the sins, griefs, and sorrows of humanity through his sacrificial death on the cross. By looking at the context of this verse and its fulfillment in the New Testament, we can better understand the profound truth that Jesus bore our griefs and carried our sorrows.
The Context of Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53 is part of a section of Isaiah often called the “Servant Songs” where the prophet describes God’s Servant who will suffer on behalf of his people (Isa. 42:1-9; 49:1-7; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12). While Isaiah likely had a contemporary in mind originally, the description goes far beyond any ordinary human servant. The Servant sacrifices himself willingly and obediently (53:7,10), suffers unto death as a “guilt offering” (53:10), and is exalted for his willing obedience (53:12). The early Christians recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of the Servant prophesied in this chapter (Matt. 8:17; Acts 8:32-35; 1 Pet. 2:22-25).
Isaiah 53 as a whole emphasizes the substitutionary nature of the Servant’s suffering. He bears the sins of others and intercedes on their behalf (53:12). His suffering brings healing and peace to those for whom he suffers (53:5). This innocent Servant suffers not for any wrong he did, but for the wrongdoing of others which he takes upon himself (53:9). Isaiah 53:4 similarly highlights the substitutionary and redemptive nature of the Servant’s suffering.
The Fulfillment in Jesus
When we look at the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, it is clear he fulfilled this prophecy of the Suffering Servant. Throughout his life, Jesus bore the griefs and carried the sorrows of many people. This is seen most clearly in his ministry of compassion and healing. Jesus went about healing the sick, restoring the disabled, and casting out demons that tormented people (Matt. 4:23-24; 8:16-17; Mark 1:32-34). By freeing people from physical and spiritual brokenness, Jesus lifted their griefs and sorrows.
Jesus also bore grief and sorrow by identifying with those who suffered. He welcomed the weak, the poor, the persecuted, the marginalized – those familiar with grief and sorrow (Luke 4:18-19). He wept with those who wept (John 11:33-35). He was deeply moved by the pains and burdens of others (Mark 6:34). Ultimately, Jesus bore the griefs and sorrows of the world through his atoning death on the cross.
1 Peter 2:24 quotes Isaiah 53:4 and applies it to Christ’s sacrificial death: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 says God made Jesus “to be sin for us” even though Jesus was sinless. Jesus became the bearer of sin, grief, sorrow, and brokenness on the cross so that we could be made whole.
Why This Matters
Understanding that Jesus bore our griefs and carried our sorrows is immensely practical and comforting for followers of Christ. It means:
- Jesus identifies with our sufferings. Whatever grief or sorrow we face – grief over lost loved ones, sorrow over chronic illness, emotional pains – Jesus identifies with us in those experiences.
- We have someone to help carry our burdens. We do not have to face grief and sorrow alone. Jesus walks alongside us (Matt. 11:28-30).
- Our griefs and sorrows have redemptive potential when joined to Christ. As co-sufferers with Christ, our griefs and sorrows take on greater meaning (Rom. 8:17; Phil. 3:10; 1 Pet. 4:13).
- Christ has overcome the ultimate source of grief and sorrow – sin and death. While we still grieve and hurt now, these pains are only temporary for those in Christ. Eternal life and wholeness awaits (Rev. 21:4).
Isaiah 53:4 gives us great assurance – assurance that Christ understands our pains, assurance that we are not alone in our sorrows, and assurance that Christ will ultimately swallow up death forever and wipe away every tear (Isa. 25:8; Rev. 21:4). As we walk with Christ, we can bear griefs and sorrows with hope, knowing Christ lighter than ours.
Jesus Bore Our Griefs through His Earthly Life and Ministry
During his time on earth, Jesus bore human griefs and sorrows in a variety of ways:
- He healed physical suffering. A major part of Jesus’ earthly ministry involved healing people of diseases, disabilities, and afflictions that caused them grief and sorrow. Matthew 8:16-17 notes that through his healings, Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy about the Servant bearing away our diseases.
- He exorcised demons. Demon possession caused much grief for those tormented by evil spirits. Jesus often set people free from this sorrow by casting out the demons (Mark 1:32-34).
- He raised the dead. By raising the dead (Luke 7:11-17), Jesus turned the deepest grief of loved ones into miraculous joy.
- He forgave sins. Jesus removed guilt and shame, major sources of grief. He told a paralyzed man, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven” (Matt. 9:2).
- He welcomed and elevated the marginalized. Jesus bore grief by compassionately ministering to those familiar with sorrow – the poor, disabled, women, Samaritans (Luke 7:11-17; John 4).
- He wept with the grieving. At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus powerfully identified with the grief of loved ones by weeping with them (John 11:33-35).
Throughout his earthly ministry, Jesus continually lifted griefs and sorrows through his compassion, healing, deliverance, and restoration.
Jesus Bore Our Griefs by Dying on the Cross
Most profoundly, Jesus bore griefs and carried sorrows by offering himself as a sacrifice on the cross. Though completely innocent, he took upon himself the penalties for human sin and rebellion against God (Isaiah 53:6, 11; John 1:29; 1 Pet. 2:24). On the cross, Jesus was crushed for the sins and iniquities that had brought grief and sorrow into the world (Isaiah 53:5, 10). 2 Corinthians 5:21 says God made Jesus “to be sin for us” so that we could be made righteous.
Jesus’ close identification with grief and sorrow reached its climax when he cried out on the cross at the peak of his suffering, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). In that excruciating moment, Jesus fully took upon himself the consequences of sin – separation from God. He descended into the greatest depths of grief so that we could share in eternal comfort, peace, and redemption.
The griefs Jesus bore go far deeper than any physical pain. On the cross, He carried God’s wrath toward sin, experienced cosmic abandonment and isolation from God, and endured the weight of humanity’s sin, rebellion, and hatred toward God. As Isaiah 53 foretold, Jesus was “smitten by God and afflicted” as the sacrifice for sin.
Because Jesus bore God’s wrath in our place, we now have peace with God and hope of eternal life if we place our faith in Christ (Rom. 5:1; 1 Pet. 1:3). His grief has become our joy!
Jesus Understands and Identifies with Our Griefs and Sorrows
An incredibly comforting truth is that Jesus identifies deeply with human grief and sorrow because he himself experienced them. As Hebrews 4:15-16 says:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Some specific ways Jesus understands our grief include:
- He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief (Isa. 53:3).
- He experienced the sorrow of having a close friend die (John 11:33-35).
- He was betrayed by one of his own disciples (Luke 22:47-48).
- He grieved over the unbelief of Israel (Luke 19:41-44).
- His own disciples abandoned Him in His darkest hour (Matt. 26:56).
- He prayed intensely in the Garden of Gethsemane as He anticipated bearing God’s wrath (Luke 22:44).
- He experienced intense sorrow in being made sin on the cross, leading Him to cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46)
Because Christ experienced grief and sorrow profoundly, he completely understands whenever grief overwhelms our hearts. When we turn to Him as our High Priest and Friend, Jesus offers us deep compassion, mercy, and grace to help in time of need.
Following Christ Involves Bearing a Share in His Sufferings and Griefs
As disciples of Christ, we are called to follow in His footsteps and bear a share of His sufferings (Matt. 16:24; 1 Pet. 2:21). Just as Christ bore griefs and sorrows on our behalf, so we join in His mission of bringing redemption and hope to a grieving world. Some ways we share in His sufferings include:
- Sharing Christ’s suffering by identifying with Him in gospel ministry (2 Cor. 1:5; Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:24).
- Suffering persecution and affliction for Christ’s sake (Acts 5:41; Rom. 8:17; Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 4:12-13).
- Bearing one another’s griefs and sorrows within the body of Christ (Rom. 12:15; Gal. 6:2).
- Groaning inwardly as we await the full redemption of our bodies from sin and grief (Rom. 8:18-25).
As we share in Christ’s sufferings, we look forward in hope to an eternity where grief, sorrow, and death itself will be no more. Though we share in His sufferings now, we will share in His glory and joy forever! (Rom. 8:17-18).
Jesus Will Comfort and Sustain Us through Every Grief and Sorrow
One day Jesus will completely wipe away every tear and make all things new (Rev. 21:4). But until that day, Jesus promises to be with us through every sorrow we face. As Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Jesus will give us strength, hope, and sustenance to help carry our burdens. Some ways He comforts us include:
- Giving us His peace (John 14:27).
- Sending the Holy Spirit to help and comfort us (John 14:16-17, 26).
- Giving eternal hope that our griefs in this life are temporary (John 11:25-26; 1 Thess. 4:13-14).
- Assuring us that we are never alone in our griefs when we have Christ (Heb. 13:5-6).
- Inviting us to cast all anxieties and burdens upon Him (1 Pet. 5:7).
- Strengthening us by His grace to endure any hardship (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
- Using our griefs and sorrows for our good to make us more like Him (Rom. 8:28-29)
Jesus Christ is the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) who promises to wipe away every tear. He truly is “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24). Whatever grief or sorrow you face, Jesus stands ready walk closely by your side, giving comfort, grace, and hope one day at a time until He makes all things new.
