But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed.
but he was
Isaiah 53:6-8,11,12 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all…
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
wounded.
Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
the chastisement
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
stripes.
He was crushed for our iniquities
"Crushed" signifies intense suffering and affliction, indicating the severity of the servant's sacrifice. "Iniquities" refers to moral corruption and wickedness, underscoring the depth of human sinfulness. This phrase connects to the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, where animals were offered to atone for the people's sins (Leviticus 16). The crushing of the servant symbolizes the complete and sufficient sacrifice of Jesus, who bore the weight of humanity's sins.
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
This part of the verse speaks to the concept of peace, or "shalom," which encompasses wholeness, well-being, and reconciliation with God. The "punishment" indicates the justice required for sin, which the servant endures on behalf of others. This substitutionary act results in peace between God and humanity, fulfilling the promise of reconciliation found in passages like Romans 5:1. The servant's suffering is the means by which believers are restored to a right relationship with God.
And by His stripes we are healed
"Stripes" refers to the wounds inflicted by scourging, a form of punishment that Jesus endured before His crucifixion (Matthew 27:26). The healing mentioned is both spiritual and physical, pointing to the comprehensive salvation offered through Christ's sacrifice. This healing is echoed in 1 Peter 2:24, where the apostle Peter applies this prophecy to the redemptive work of Jesus. The phrase emphasizes the transformative power of the servant's suffering, bringing restoration and wholeness to those who believe.
- Isaiah states plainly that the Servant “was pierced,” foretelling a literal, violent wounding fulfilled when Roman soldiers drove nails through Jesus’ hands and feet (John 20:25–27; Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10).
- The purpose is substitutionary: the piercing happens “for our transgressions,” the willful sins that break God’s law.
- Scripture consistently affirms this exchange: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3).
- Personal takeaway: every sinful act—whether hidden or public—drew the nails; His suffering stands in our place.
- “Crushed” pictures extreme, overwhelming suffering, fulfilled in the scourging, beating, and weight of the cross itself (Matthew 27:26–31).
- “Iniquities” points to the twisted nature of sin, beyond isolated acts. Romans 4:25 confirms, “He was delivered over to death for our trespasses.”
- Isaiah later echoes, “It pleased the LORD to crush Him” (Isaiah 53:10), underscoring that the Father Himself directed this sacrifice out of love (John 3:16).
- The crushing reveals both the severity of sin and the depth of divine mercy.
- “Punishment” refers to the just penalty sin deserves; God’s wrath is satisfied at the cross (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10).
- The immediate result is “peace”—not mere feelings but restored relationship with God (Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20).
- Jesus “Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14), tearing down every barrier between God and humanity.
- Because the punishment fell on Him, believers now stand reconciled, secure, and welcomed.
- “Stripes” means the wounds from scourging, fulfilled when Jesus was flogged (John 19:1).
- Peter cites this line directly: “By His stripes you are healed” (1 Peter 2:24), applying it to spiritual restoration—freedom from sin’s power and guilt.
- Matthew 8:16–17 links the same prophecy to physical healings Jesus performed, showing the cross’s reach into every realm broken by sin.
- Ultimate, complete healing comes in resurrection life (Revelation 21:4; 22:2), guaranteed because His wounds have already secured it.
Isaiah 53:5 pictures a divine exchange: Jesus was literally pierced, crushed, punished, and striped so that sinners could be forgiven, reconciled, and healed. Every phrase points to substitution—He takes what we deserve; we receive what only He can give. The cross therefore stands as the central, sufficient, and loving act of God that brings peace now and perfect wholeness forever.
(5) He was wounded . . .--Bruised. Both words refer to the death which crowned the sufferings of the Servant. That also was vicarious.The chastisement of our peace--i.e., the punishment which leads to peace, that word including, as elsewhere, every form of blessing. (Comp. the "reproof of life" in Proverbs 15:31.) In Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 5:8-9, we have the thought which is the complement of this, that the chastisement was also an essential condition of the perfection of the sufferer.
With his stripes we are healed.--The words stretch wide and deep. Perhaps the most touching application is St. Peter's use of them as a thought of comfort for the slaves who were scourged as He, their Lord, had been (1Peter 2:24).
Verse 5. - But he was wounded for our transgressions. This verse contains four asseverations of the great truth that all Christ's sufferings were for us, and constituted the atonement for our sins. The form is varied, but the truth is one. Christ was "wounded" or "pierced"(1) by the thorns;
(2) by the nails; and
(3) by the spear of the soldier. . . .
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