The Gospel According to Isaiah 53: Encountering the Suffering Servant in Jewish and Christian Theology

by Darrell L. Bock, Mitch Glaser (Editor)

The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 presents the redemptive work of the Messiah to the Jewish community, exploring issues of atonement and redemption in light of Isaiah chapter 53. It is clear that Jesus fulfills the specifications of the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. This book has many potential uses in its presentation of the gospel for Jewish people. Pastors who study it will find unparalleled help in preparing Bible studies and sermons, so that their listeners will become better equipped to tell Jewish people about Jesus. It will be beneficial as supplemental reading for classes on Isaiah, the Prophets, and Jewish evangelism. And believers will be trained to share Isaiah 53 with Jewish friends and family. Contributors • David L. Allen • Richard E. Averbeck • Darrell L. Bock • Michael L. Brown • Robert B. Chisholm Jr. • Craig A. Evans • John S. Feinberg • Mitch Glaser • Walter C. Kaiser Jr. • Donald R. Sunukjian

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Old Testament

334 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2011

About the author

Darrell L. Bock is a New Testament scholar and research professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, United States. Bock received his PhD from Scotland's University of Aberdeen.

Reviews

[Tom James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isaiah 53 contains the clearest prophecy of the Messiah as the Servant of the Lord suffering for His people, being the means of their salvation. It's edited by Darrell Bock but contains articles by such writers as Walter Kaiser, Mitch Glaser, and Michael Brown. The book sets out to explain Isaiah 53 in light of the book of Isaiah, the Old Testament, the New Testament, Jewish theology, and Christian theology. It gives evidence in favour of the Messianic interpretation and provides suggestions as to how one might share one's faith effectively, using Isaiah 53. Bock summarizes each writer's contribution at the end and provides two sample presentations of Isaiah 53, one being a sermon and the other a play. An excellent resource to have on hand.

[Bob Hayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps no chapter in the Old Testament is more foundational to the cause of Jewish evangelism than Isaiah 53. In "The Gospel According to Isaiah 53: Encountering the Suffering Servant in Jewish and Christian Theology" editors Darrell L. Bock and Mitch Glaser bring together an impressive group of scholars to discuss this text in full detail. The result is an academic work that aims to equip church leaders for effectively using this pivotal chapter in Jewish evangelism.

The book is divided into three sections. Part 1 coves Christian and Jewish interpretations of Isaiah 53. These first two chapters were most informative and really are worth the price of the book. Richard Averbeck surveys a wide variety of Christian interpretations, and Michael Brown masterfully gives a thorough treatment of Jewish opinions on this passage.

Part 2 is a collection of various essays on Isaiah 53 and is the weakest part of the book in my opinion. The essays themselves are fine, but there is repetition and disparity between them. Most of them spend some time discussing whether the Suffering Servant is collectively understood as Israel or should be viewed as an individual Messianic figure. These essays are written independently and not situated in the flow of the book well, so we cover the same ground over and over again. That being said, the articles do make some important points and cover different points of emphases when it comes to Isaiah 53′s development in the New Testament.

Part 3 covers Isaiah 53 in practical theology and is quite good. Mitch Glaser's piece on using Isaiah 53 in Jewish Evangelism is excellent. His explanation of orthodox Jewish objections to Isaiah 53′s use by Christians as opposed to the average Jewish person's more secular outlook to the passage is priceless. Too often, we assume that Jews think like Christians when it comes to God's holiness and personal sin, blood atonement and the like, and Glaser assures us this is not the case.

The book ends with an odd concluding chapter, in which Darrell Bock excerpts several paragraphs from each of the chapters in the book. It seems a strange way to conclude a book, but I wonder if it is an attempt to forge a greater unity between disparate pieces? An appendix then includes two sample sermons on Isaiah 53.

The book points us to numerous additional resources throughout, and really does cover Isaiah 53 well. It definitely accomplishes the task it sets out to achieve. Yet the book is clearly directed toward a more scholarly audience and I believe this will limit its effectiveness. There are no transliterations of Hebrew and Greek terms provided, and sometimes there are not even short lexical definitions of them included either. The interaction with scholarly literature, too, is much more than the average lay leader is equipped to handle. Still there is a lot of value to be had in the book, and I was thankful to be reminded of how important this single chapter is for Jewish evangelism.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Kregel Academic. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

[Jacob Sabin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. I read it during seminary and I decided to give it a reread. Some chapters are spectacular. Some were a little more of a slog to get through. Overall some good information on Isaiah 53/The Suffering Servant passage. Some will find it more accessible than others.

[Craig Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there may be disagreement over the fullest understanding of Scriptures term “the people of God” there is no disagreement that at minimum it includes the people of Israel as an ethnic group. This is certainly at minimum how Joseph would have understood the words of the angel of the Lord when he said, “She will bear a son, and you will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Matt. 1:21, ESV)” But as the Gospels and subsequent history reveal, the people of Israel have largely rejected Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior from their sins (as well as others).

With a desire to provide a robust, thorough and evangelistic tool to aid in the evangelism of the Jewish people, Chosen People Ministries leader Mitch Glaser has teamed up with Darrell Bock and a solid line up of evangelical scholars to produce The Gospel According to Isaiah 53: Encountering the Suffering Servant in Jewish and Christian Theology. As Glaser states, “This book was written to help readers to utilize the truths of this magnificent chapter in bringing the Good News to those who do not yet know Jesus,” with a desire to “deepen their understanding of Isaiah 53 and to better equip the saints for ministry among the Jewish people. (p. 21)”

Structure of the Book

Part One gives an overview of both the Jewish and Christian interpretations of Isaiah 53. The Christian interpretations, though they may vary on some details, hold in common the belief that the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53 is Jesus Christ the Son of God. Richard Averbeck deals with the literary, historical and hermeneutical issues surrounding Isaiah 53. In chapter two Michael Brown lays out the various Jewish interpretations of Isaiah 53 which all have in common the Suffering Servant as the Jewish people themselves. Brown walks through Isaiah 53 verse by verse giving the Jewish interpretation of each as well as a response.

Part Two deals with Isaiah 53 and biblical theology. Walter Kaiser Jr. addresses the issue of identifying the nature of the Servant of the Lord. As the section indicates, Kaiser deals with the biblical theological identity of the Servant of the Lord. Kaiser really brings to the afore how the New Testament Gospels continue this Servant of the Lord theme/identity which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Matt. 20:28; Mk. 10:45; Lk. 22:37). The chapters between Darrell Bock and Craig A. Evans show the reader that Isaiah 53 runs throughout the entire New Testament in every book and author. Its contents are both quoted and alluded to in every book and authors writings. In the conclusion the book Bock has provided a number of helpful charts showing the quotations of and illusions to Isaiah 53 within the NT. Perhaps the best chapter of part two is David L. Allen’s chapter on the substitutionary atonement aspect of Isaiah 53. After a solid treatment of the subject Allen concludes with the following:

"The upshot of Isaiah 53 is threefold: 1) Isaiah clearly states that God ordained the Servant’s suffering, 2) the Servant is not suffering for his own sins, and 3) the Servant substitutes himself for the people and suffer for them." (p. 184)

Robert B. Chisholm Jr. closes out part two by addressing the forgiveness and salvation aspects of Isaiah 53. The Suffering Servant both bears the guilt of his people and removes the penalty their sin incurred thus saving them from their sins.

Part Three addresses a number of practical issues related to Isaiah 53. John S. Feinberg gives a timely discussion on the postmodern themes in Isaiah 53. Capitalizing on the narrative emphasis of much of postmoderns, Feinberg stresses the personal narrative structure of the chapter stating, “It is also the story of a God who wants so desperately to have a relationship with his people that he sent his servant to tell them and show them how much he cares for them. (p. 214)” Mitch Glaser gives his own testimony of how Isaiah 53 was instrumental in his conversion. Glaser overviews some of the various methods in which Isaiah 53 has been and is used in Jewish evangelism. He overviews the polemical use, major points of argumentation from, contemporary objections to and responses to those objections to Isaiah 53.

Conclusion

There are a number of elements that describe The Gospel According to Isaiah 53. First, the contributors of the book are all conservative evangelical scholars who are well known in their fields of expertise. These men are qualified to speak in the fields their chapters address. Second, the book has an evangelistic and apologetic focus. The desire of the contributors is to equip the reader with the apologetic tools they need to defend the Christian interpretation of Isaiah 53 as well as use it to evangelize Jews with the chapter. Third, the book is accessible to Christians ranging from pastors to laymen. To be sure there are is plenty of detailed exegesis of Isaiah 52-53 as well as themes that run throughout them. However, much of the book is accessible to the average Christian. This book will assist any Christian to be more familiar with the contents of Isaiah 53 if they wish to engage in Jewish evangelism. The desire is to equip all Christians. Fourth, while the book clearly defends a Christ-centered interpretation of Isaiah 53, all of the contributors interact with the standard Jewish interpretations of the chapter. Not only is there a chapter on the Jewish interpretations of Isaiah 53 each contributor interacts with these interpretations throughout their defense of the Christian interpretation. This side-by-side presentation makes the book better accomplish its goal of equipping the Christian with the tools they need to evangelize Jews. Finally, as mentioned, the book is very exegetical in nature as most chapters in part one and two mine the depths of the relevant verses.

If you are looking to gain a deeper and clearer understanding of the Christ-centered nature of Isaiah 53 and want to be better equipped to evangelize Jews for Christ then The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 is the best place to start. This would be a great book for a Bible study or to use as a guide in one-on-one while witnessing to a Jewish friend or family neighbor.

Note: I received this book for free from Kregel in return for an honest review. I received no compensation for my review, was under no obligation to provide a favorable review and the thoughts and words expressed herein are my own.

[Chase Cohee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough anthology of essays on Isaiah 53, especially as it relates to a Jewish audience. It covers the exegetical, historical, and practical sides of this text. Especially good are Averbeck’s chapter on competing views of Isa 53 (gives an in-depth understanding of the guilt offering referenced in 53:10), Evan’s chapter on Isa. 53 in the NT epistles (examines direct quotations and allusions of Isa. 53 in the letters of Peter, Paul, and John), Chisholm’s chapter on forgiveness and salvation (focusing on the specific Jewish & Gentile sins the Servant bears and the covenantal and moral renewal the Servant provides), and Sunukjian’s chapter on preaching Isaiah 53 (provides a thorough and cohesive exegesis of the chapter).

[Matt Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seems to follow a trend that is becoming more and more popular. Rather than a single author expressing a main idea or a response to a question posed in the introduction or the subtitle, this trend gives a general topic and allowing several contributors to write on anything within the particular parameters. In my opinion though, the essays seem to be writing to different audiences, so yes there is something in here for everyone from layman to seminary student to pastor to professor. It does reach that wide audience but at the cost of concisment.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prophet Isaiah has long been mined by Christian interpreters of the Bible for its Christological significance. This is especially true of the ‘Suffering Servant’ passages from the latter part of Isaiah. In this multi-author volume edited by Darrell Bock and Mitch Glaser, examines Isaiah 53 in light of the gospel with an eye towards how this passage can bring Jewish people to faith in Jesus Christ. Despite Isaiah’s status as a Jewish prophet and his prominence among Christian interpreters, this passage is almost unknown among Jewish people. Written to pastors, missionaries and lay leaders, this book is intended as a resource for those who are ‘preaching and teaching this profound passage and using it to reach unbelievers with a message of redemption (28)’.

The book is organized into three parts. Part one discusses the various interpretations of Isaiah 53. Richard Averbeck surveys Christian interpretations of this chapter (focusing especially on contemporary interpreters). Having examined the competing views, Averbeck argues that the first-person language does not imply the personification of the nation of Israel but one person acting on behalf of the nation. Michael L. Brown discusses the history of Jewish interpretations of this chapter (showing how the corporate interpretation has often been posited to obscure the messianic implications and how this chapter points to Jesus).

In part two, Isaiah 53 is placed within a biblical-theological framework. Walter Kaiser argues that the Servant language in Isaiah 53 should be read as a messianic designation and that Jesus understood his ministry in this context. Michael Wilkins examines the gospel accounts, concluding that Jesus saw himself as the Servant, and the gospel writers also made this identification. Darrell Bock examines Acts 8 (Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch) and how Isaiah 53 in that context, illuminates Jesus’ death. Craig Evans discusses allusions to Isaiah 53 in the New Testament material from Peter, Paul, John and the book of Hebrews. David Allen’s chapter sets Isaiah 53 within a cultic context and argues for the significance of substiutionary atonement in understanding the passage. Robert Chisholm rounds out part two by discussing salvation and forgiveness in this chapter and arguing that according to this passage, the beneficiaries of the Servant’s suffering are both Israel and the nations, that the ‘illness’ described in the chapter imply Jerusalem’s destruction, exile, injustice, death and war, that the breach of the covenant is the fundamental sin for which the blameless Servant suffers, and that the Servant’s suffering and death provide the means toward divine forgiveness.

Part three addresses how to communicate this passage evangelistically. John Feinberg discusses how Isaiah 53 can be used to articulate the gospel message to ‘postmoderns.’ Mitch Glasser focuses his chapter on how Isaiah 53 can be used effectively in Jewish evangelism (his point is not to debate, or beat Jews over the head with a proof text, but using this chapter to open up a fruitful dialogue). Lastly, Donald Sunukjian gives practical advice to preachers for preaching an expository message based on this chapter (with an eye towards it’s structure). Each of the chapters of the book are summarized in Darrell Bock’s conclusion (and quoted extensively) and the book also includes in the appendices two sermons from Donald Sunukjian which illustrate a couple of different homiletic approaches to the text.

As is the case with other multi-author studies, there is some overlap in chapter content; however the authors are remarkably united in purpose and theological commitments. These are some of the best and brightest of conservative Biblical scholars and they thoroughly examine this passage in light of historical interpretation, biblical theology, literary structure, and linguistically. You need not agree with the authors on every point (I’m not sure that I do) to appreciate the care and attention in which they craft their argument. I think they make a good case that a individual, substitutionary, Suffering Servant reading of the text, is faithful understanding of the text, and that this passage does point to the significance of Jesus’ work.

But what I appreciate most about this book is the compelling case made here, that Jesus understood his life, ministry and death in light of the Suffering Servant passages in Isaiah. Scot McKnight, in the King Jesus Gospel made the provocative claim that many evangelistic presentations by evangelicals completely ignore the Old Testament in their articulation of the gospel. In The Gospel According to Isaiah 53, the authors prove that for these scholars at least, this is not the case. The gospel of Jesus Christ includes the way Jesus fulfills the hopes of Israel. By seeing the significance of this passage for Jewish people, we gentiles also come to a fuller appreciation of the gospel story and Christ’s work.

So I recommend this book to pastors and teachers who want to communicate the truths of this passage. I certainly plan to refer back to this book in my preaching and teaching from this passage.

I received this book from Kregel Academic in exchange for this review.

[Abdel Barka · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Daniel Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really useful book if you preach or teach through Isaiah 53!

[Abram K-J · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Isaiah 53 is one of the clearest prophecies of Jesus the Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures. This chapter has changed the lives of thousands of people--both Jews and Gentiles--who have read the text and believed in the One who fulfilled these prophecies in glorious detail."

Thus begins Mitch Glaser's Introduction in The Gospel According to Isaiah 53: Encountering the Suffering Servant in Jewish and Christian Theology. In three parts the book expounds how the prophecies of Isaiah 53 relate to and are ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus. (The full passage the book treats is Isaiah 52:13-Isaiah 53.)

The first section, a sort of exegetical prelude, discusses "Christian interpretations" and "Jewish interpretations" of Isaiah 53. The second section is a biblical theology of Isaiah 53 (with particular attention to its use throughout Scripture). The third and concluding section speaks to "Isaiah 53 and Practical Theology," with an emphasis on how to preach the passage, both from the pulpit and in conversation.

The book is "designed to enable pastors and lay leaders to deepen their understanding of Isaiah 53 and to better equip the saints for ministry among the Jewish people."

The first thing I noticed about the book is that it's just as much an apologetic for Jesus-as-suffering-servant as it is an academic study of Isaiah 53. It's not that it lacks academic substance, though. This is a meaty book, and pleasingly so.

Regarding the book's explicitly evangelistic intent--there may be some who are uncomfortable with the description of Chosen People Ministries' "Isaiah 53 Campaign" (including 75,000 postcards to Jewish homes and 40,000 voice blasts=robo-calls?). I'll admit that I question the potential efficacy of pre-recorded phone messages for reaching anyone with the Gospel (though God can use anything!). But there is still something to be commended in the blending of the academic and evangelistic enterprises, something this book does well.

A few contributor names to highlight are Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Darrell L. Bock (one of the co-editors), Craig A. Evans, and Donald R. Sunukjian. I particularly appreciated the book's treatment of the New Testament use of Isaiah 53. The chapter by Michael J. Wilkins lists the quotations of Isaiah 53 in the NT and additional allusions to it in the Gospels. (He makes a key point, that Jesus himself understood "his mission and death in the light of Isaiah 53.") Darrell Bock goes in depth with a comparison of the Greek and Hebrew texts of Isaiah 53:7-8, highlighting its use in Acts 8 where Philip explains the passage to the Ethiopian eunuch.

Something to critique in this book is that there were a few generalizations of Jews that I found to be unfair, particularly in the chapter "Using Isaiah 53 in Jewish Evangelism." Mitch Glaser writes: "I think I can safely say that, in the United States, most Jewish people would recognize Isaiah as the first name of a professional athlete sooner than they would recognize the prophet of biblical literature."

Granted, he is operating from the assumption that "most Jewish people are not Lubavitch, Hasidic, or Orthodox," but still.... What was more surprising to me: "Most Jewish people do not understand or believe in biblical prophecy" and, "Most Jewish people do not believe in sin." Glaser does (only later) qualify these with, "We must note that all of the above does not apply to those who hold to traditional Jewish theological positions," but he would have been better off saying something like "many secular or ethnic but non-religious Jews..." or at least supporting his statements with statistics from surveys rather than anecdotal evidence. Glaser himself is a converted Jew who has a compelling conversion story, but I still found those characterizations to be frustrating. I wonder how helpful such statements could be in advancing an evangelistic cause in conversation with another Jew.

This next thing to highlight may seem a small point to some, but as someone seeking to keep my Hebrew and Greek going, I appreciated the actual Hebrew and Greek fonts throughout the book (i.e., not just transliteration), which are clear and easy to read. I did think, however, about an intended audience of "pastors and lay leaders" who may have desired transliteration, too. (All Hebrew and Greek is translated into English.)

Darrell Bock's conclusion summarizes all the essays of the book, with key quotations. Having this there was a big help in piecing everything together again. The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 will not be far from my reach in coming months and years. I expect I will often reference this compendium of biblical scholarship on a vital text. My hesitations about the characterizations of Jews above notwithstanding, there is a good deal here that can be useful for Christian-Jewish conversations about the Suffering Servant.

I received a free copy from Kregel of The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 with the only expectations of providing an (unbiased and honest) review.

[Justin Effler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is arguably one of the most important passages in the Old Testament that verifies Jesus and his Messiahship. I have always had my own challenges in studying the context of Isaiah and understanding if this was about Jesus, a righteous remnant, Israel or some other individual. This book cleared up any remaining doubts or ambiguity.

Often at times it is portrayed when you come across a learned Jew or skeptic they try and assert that the Servant in Isaiah 53 is Israel, but when in reality, looking at the context of the entire book you don't have to choose between the false dilemma of Israel vs an individual. However, it is quite clear there is a distinction and this book leaves little doubt that Jesus is what Isaiah 53 is depicting.

My 3 favorite chapters were what Mitch Glaser, Dr. Michael Brown and Donald Sunukjian provided, in which they went in great detail with the text of Isaiah in breaking down, verse-by-verse, it's context and other objections throughout the course of history and dissecting them one-by-one.

Great read. I highly recommend. Jesus is Lord!

[Harold Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Encountering The Suffering Servant In Jewish And Christian Theology"

"The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 presents the redemptive work of the Messiah to the Jewish community, exploring issues of atonement and redemption in light of Isaiah chapter 53. It is clear that Jesus fulfills the specifications of the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. This book has many potential uses in its presentation of the gospel for Jewish people. Pastors who study it will find unparalleled help in preparing Bible studies and sermons, so that their listeners will become better equipped to tell Jewish people about Jesus. It will be beneficial as supplemental reading for classes on Isaiah, the Prophets, and Jewish evangelism. And believers will be trained to share Isaiah 53 with Jewish friends and family. Contributors include: * David L. Allen * Richard E. Averbeck * Darrell L. Bock * Michael L. Brown * Robert B. Chisholm Jr. * Craig A. Evans * John S. Feinberg * Mitch Glaser * Walter C. Kaiser Jr. * Donald R. Sunukjian." (From the Kregel Publications Website)

About the Authors:
Darrell L. Bock is research professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. A former president of the Evangelical Theological Society, he is the author of the best-seller Breaking the Da Vinci Code and numerous works in New Testament studies, including Jesus According to Scripture.

Mitch Glaser is the president of Chosen People Ministries. Mitch and his wife, Zhava, are Jewish believers in Jesus and have each labored for more than twenty years in ministry among the Jewish
people. Mitch holds a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies.

My thoughts about the book: The Gospel According to Isaiah is a book written by eleven Bible scholars who know the Lord of the Bible as well as the Bible itself. The depth of their writing comes not from second hand information or experience but rather from what they have personally have read, studied, learned, lived and live still.

Writing from their individual fields of Biblical expertise, the writers using the Scriptures to compare Scripture, providing numerous helpful charts as well as their own knowledge and understanding of God's Word have written the book to inform us as to how a Christian should view Isaiah 53. In the book they offer both a Christian Interpretation and a Jewish interpretation of the well known and oft quoted Chapter of Scripture. The writers compare the written message of Isaiah 53 with the message concerning Christ as revealed in the Gospels. Also author Darrell Bock writes about Isaiah 53 in Acts 8 and Craig Evans about Isaiah 53 in the Pauline epistles, Hebrews, and the Gospel of John specifically. Two different sermons are also presented by Bible Professor and author Donald Sunukjian in the book - one an expositional sermon and the other a dramatic-narrative type which makes for some edifying and enjoyable reading.

From reading this book you get a better grasp of the reality of the life of our Lord as the suffering "Son of Man" and Savior. You will also gain a better understanding of our Lord's atoning sacrifice on the cross - that is what the word "atonement" truly means. And in our learning and understanding concerning "the Gospel according to Isaiah 53" our lives should be affected and transformed. That should be a natural personal outcome of our reading and meditating on what is written in the book along with the numerous Scripture references that are provided for our help and deeper understanding of Isaiah 53. And this book is for both Bible student and scholar alike...though some older students like me need to take a little more time to read the book in order to more fully grasp the significance and meaning of what is being taught in it.

If you are interested in learning more about Isaiah 53 and what it means for us as Christians today then I do highly recommend this book to you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publications for the purpose of reviewing it. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[Robbie Pruitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gospel According to Isaiah 53, edited by Darrell L. Bock and Mitch Glaser, is a great resource for understanding and studying the Old Testament prophecy of scripture Isaiah 53. This book is a collection of short essays, written by a variety of contributors, covering interpretations of Isaiah 53, Isaiah 53 in Biblical theology, and Isaiah 53 and practical theology. This book is incredibly helpful in understanding the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy in Isaiah 53, by Christ in the New Testament.

The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 is an amazing resource and tool for Bible teachers as well. It is also extremely helpful in sharing Jesus with a Jewish audience; true to the book’s description, which says, “The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 presents the redemptive work of the Messiah to the Jewish community, exploring issues of atonement and redemption in light of Isaiah chapter 53.” The book’s introduction, by Mitch Glaser, also stresses the importance of Isaiah 53 calling it “one of the clearest prophecies of Jesus the Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures.”

As a Bible teacher, one of the common teachings I share with my students is the reality that the Old Testament helps us more fully understand the New Testament. One of my goals in all my Bible classes is to get the students in my class to see scripture as the singular metanarrative that it is. This book, The Gospel According to Isaiah 53, makes this connection beautifully and is a very important tool in understanding the interconnectedness of the Old Testament prophecies with the New Testament gospels.

One of the common realities that we encounter when studying the scriptures is this “call and response” between the Old and New Testaments. It has been said, “the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed” and “the New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed.” This is exactly the case with Isaiah 53, and The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 unpacks this idea comprehensively. When we understand the Suffering Servant prophecy in Isaiah 53, we can better understand what Jesus has done in His perfect atoning sacrifice for us in the Gospels as our Suffering Servant.

The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 beautifully explores and illuminates this connection between the Old and New Testament for us and helps us to more fully understand Isaiah’s prophecy as well as its fulfillment in Christ in the New Testament. I am excited to use this text in my 10th grade Bible class when we begin our study of Isaiah this year.

I highly recommend this book for those interested in studying the Old Testament or who are interested in better understanding their New Testament. To learn more about this book, its editors or its many contributors, or to make a purchase, you can visit the book’s page at Kregel Publication or its page on Amazon.com.

In exchange for this unbiased review, I have received a copy of The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 from the publisher, Kregel Publication, free of charge.

This review has also been posted on My Two Mites, Amazon.com, Christian Book Distributors, CBD, GoodReads, and Examiner.com.

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I have studied the Scriptures and the Old Testament, I have not spent much time thinking about how to present the gospel to Jews. In The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 each chapter’s author plows through the rich gospel soil of Isaiah 53 and the deftly applies it to approaching Jews with the gospel of the Messiah. You will not find a more solid book about Isaiah 53 and the Suffering Servant than this one. The chapters cover the necessary scholarly ground for each focus and carefully unpack the meaning in the text. Without delving into the hundreds of scholarly articles and Jewish writings on Isaiah 53 you won’t get as fair and comprehensive treatment elsewhere.

Part 1 establishes the exegetical groundwork by examining the Christian and Jewish interpretations of this chapter. Reading this section was drinking from a theological water hose--so much rich information and background. Part 2 deconstructs the macro interpretation into more focused themes. So you have a chapter on the identity of the servant, Isaiah 53 and the gospels, forgiveness, and atonement and cultic terminology.



Part 3 gets into the nitty gritty of communicating the truths about the Messiah and the gospel from Isaiah 53 to modern Jews. In chapter 10 “Using Isaiah 53 in Jewish Evangelism,” Mitch Glaser had some clear insights into presenting the gospel to modern Jews (p. 246). I also found myself thinking that his practical tips for gospeling would translate well with other peoples with minor changes. Also, chapter 11 “Preaching Isaiah 53” would be immensely helpful for pastors seeking to preach the gospel from the Old Testament. Most of the really awful sermons I have heard are from the Old Testament. It seems to take a more skilled hand and more precision to handle the text careful. Sunukjian logically and precisely lays out the structure and theme of the chapter and provides considerations for drawing out the truths therein.

Although the focus is the Jewish context the book would be helpful for all Christians who are seeking to understand the gospel in the Old Testament. If you are familiar with Christian terminology and are a determined read you shouldn’t find the reading overly challenging. There are some technical discussions of Hebrew and biblical criticism but you can still grasp the flow and overall thrust without a full comprehension of the intricacies of Old Testament scholarship. Hiking a mountain is arduous but the view at the end is worth it and so the gospel and skill at finding it in the Old Testament is worth the hard-work. I agree with the authors that Isaiah 53 is one of the clearest gospel and Messiah passages in the Old Testament. As such, The Gospel According to Isaiah 53 would be an invaluable resource to keep on your shelf.

A free copy of this book was provided by Kregel.

[G. A. Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever considered that different religions use and interpret the Bible differently than you might? As simple and common place as that thought might seem, there is a significant population of people that would look at Isaiah 53 very different than Christians do—Jewish people. I am more aware of this than ever having just moved to Philadelphia and living right down the road from a synagogue. I see Jewish people walking up and down the side walk nearly every day.

Darrell Bock and Mitch Glaser have edited a series of essays in a work called The Gospel According to Isaiah 53: Encountering the Suffering Servant in Jewish and Christian Theology. This book is a compilation of essays from eleven different biblical scholars and combined they work to answer some important questions:

1. What is a Christian Interpretation of Isaiah 53?
2. What is a Jewish Interpretation of Isaiah 53?
3. How did the New Testament writers understand Isaiah 53?
4. How should forgiveness and salvation be understood in Isaiah 53?
5. How can Isaiah 53 be used in Jewish evangelism?
6. How do we preach Isaiah 53?

I really like the approach of this book and how the essays are presented. I believe it helps answer the questions posed well. The first part of the book looks at answering the first two questions, what are the Christian and Jewish interpretations of Isaiah 53. With this framework set, the second part of the book are essays that look at Isaiah 53 in biblical theology. This section answers questions three and four. Then the final two questions are answered in the third part of the book on Isaiah 53 and practical theology.

For those interested in Jewish theology and wanting to reach Jewish people this is a helpful book. It does include some technical aspects, such has Hebrew, but many times is transliterated for those that don’t know Hebrew. Overall this book is welcomed and is a helpful approach to the topic.

[Nate Claiborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was reading, I was trying to think of any stones left unturned when it came to Isaiah 53. It is a very Jewish-focused book, but you’re alerted to that fact right off the bat. The impetus behind the book springs from a heart to see Jewish people come to faith in Christ. It colors the whole book in what I think is a positive light, but other readers may not appreciate it. I think the book fills a much needed gap in the available treatments of Isaiah 53 by offering high level scholarship to the general pastoral reader. Knowledge of Hebrew will definitely help in some of the chapters in the biblical theology section, but isn’t absolutely necessary.

See the full review on my blog

[Brian Chilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gospel According to Isaiah features various articles pertaining to Isaiah chapter 53. This was an excellent book that approached Isaiah 53 from various angles. All the submissions were strong. In Part 1: Interpretations of Isaiah 53, my favorite submission was Michael L. Brown's piece on "Jewish Interpretations of Isaiah 53." In Part 2: Isaiah 53 in Biblical Theology, Kaiser, Bock, and Evans' work were especially strong. In Part 3: Isaiah 53 and Practical Theology, Feinberg's work on "Postmodern Themes from Isaiah 53" was sheer genius. While some chapters are better than others, I highly recommend this book.

[David Saxon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful book in seeing the Jewish interpretations of the Fourth Servant Song and how to use Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 in evangelism and preaching. Like most collections of addresses, there was repetition and the chapters were not of uniform quality. Overall, though, it was a good read.

[Brian LePort · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get into this one for some reason. Some essays better than others.

[Kevin Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, solid scholarship.