Come now, and let us reason together, said the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
and let us
Isaiah 41:21 Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.
Isaiah 43:24-26 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities…
1 Samuel 12:7 Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.
though your
Isaiah 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Micah 7:18,19 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy…
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow;
Scarlet, a deep red dye, was known for its permanence, symbolizing the indelible nature of sin. In ancient times, scarlet dye was derived from the crushing of insects, indicating the depth and intensity of sin's stain. The promise of becoming "white as snow" signifies complete purification and forgiveness. Snow, rare in Israel, represents purity and a fresh start. This transformation is a divine act, pointing to the cleansing power of God, which is later fulfilled through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, as seen in New Testament passages like 1 John 1:7.
though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.
Crimson, another deep red dye, further emphasizes the severity and visibility of sin. The use of two similar colors underscores the seriousness of Israel's transgressions. Wool, naturally white, symbolizes innocence and purity. The transformation from crimson to wool suggests a return to an original, unblemished state. This imagery connects to the sacrificial system, where lambs without blemish were offered, foreshadowing Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The promise of transformation highlights God's redemptive power and the hope of restoration for His people.
• An urgent invitation—God takes the first step, drawing us close in the present moment (Matthew 11:28; Hebrews 4:16).
• We are not told to clean up first; the call reaches us in our current condition.
• This “now” underscores God’s readiness to act, echoing 2 Corinthians 6:2: “Now is the day of salvation.”
• The Creator invites His creatures into rational dialogue—He appeals to mind and heart (Micah 6:1-2; Acts 17:2).
• Reason here is not bargaining but acknowledgment of truth: our sin and His remedy.
• It showcases God’s fairness; He lays out the evidence so none can claim ignorance (Romans 1:20).
• The invitation carries divine authority; it is not a human opinion (Isaiah 55:8-9).
• Because He is holy and unchanging (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 6:13), His promise that follows is absolutely dependable.
• Rejecting this word is rejecting the Lord Himself (John 12:48-49).
• “Scarlet” pictures vivid, glaring guilt—public, undeniable, deeply dyed (Romans 3:23; Psalm 51:5).
• No sin is hidden; God sees it all (Hebrews 4:13).
• The verse assumes guilt yet sets the stage for grace.
• Total cleansing, not partial—sin removed, not merely covered (Psalm 51:7).
• Accomplished through the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7; Revelation 7:14).
• White snow symbolizes purity that only God can bestow (Titus 3:5).
• “Crimson” reinforces the depth and permanence of the stain (Jeremiah 2:22).
• Humanly irremovable, yet God is not limited (Isaiah 59:1).
• Sin’s grip is strong (Proverbs 5:22), but grace is stronger (Romans 5:20).
• Freshly shorn wool is naturally white—emblem of a new start (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• This pictures restored innocence and warmth of fellowship with God (Psalm 103:12).
• Christ, the Lamb of God (John 1:29), makes us lamb-like—clean, useful, and belonging to the Shepherd (John 10:11).
Isaiah 1:18 announces God’s gracious offer: come immediately, listen to His case, admit the vivid reality of sin, and receive complete cleansing. What we cannot wash out, He purges entirely, turning scarlet stains into snow-white purity and crimson guilt into wool-white innocence through the finished work of Christ.
(18) Come now, and let us reason together.--The Authorised Version suggests the thought of a discussion between equals. The Hebrew implies rather the tone of one who gives an authoritative ultimatum, as from a judge to the accused, who had no defence, or only a sham defence, to offer (Micah 6:2-3). "Let us sum up the pleadings--that ultimatum is one of grace and mercy--'Repent, and be forgiven.'"Though your sins be as scarlet.--The two colours probably corresponded to those now designated by the English words. Both words point to the dyes of Tyre, and the words probably received a fresh emphasis from the fact that robes of these colours were worn by the princes to whom Isaiah preached (2Samuel 1:24). To the prophet's eye that dark crimson was as the stain of blood. What Jehovah promises is that the guilt of the past, deep-dyed in grain as it might be, should be discharged, and leave the character with a restored purity. Men might dye their souls of this or that hue, but to bleach them was the work of God. He alone could transfigure them that they should be "white as snow" (Mark 9:3). Comp. the reproduction of the thought, with the added paradox that it was the crimson "blood of the lamb" that was to bleach and cleanse, in Revelation 3:4-5; Revelation 7:14. . . .
Verse 18. - Come now, and let us reason together. God has from time to time permitted man to reason with him (Genesis 18:23-32; Exodus 4:1-17; Job 23:3-7; Micah 6:2); but it is difficult to see that there is any "reasoning" or "controversy" here. Mr. Cheyne translates, "Let us bring our dispute to an end." Though your sins be as scarlet... like crimson; i.e. "open, evident, glaring." Or there may be an allusion to their blood-guiltiness (see vers. 15, 19). They shall be as white as snow. Comp. Psalm 51:7, which is completely parallel, whether it was written before or after. There can be no better image of, purity than snow (comp. Job 9:30; Lamentations 4:7). As wool. A weaker illustration than the preceding one, but needed for the parallelism. (The resemblance of falling snow to wool is noted in Psalm 147:16.)