Throughout human history, only One matches all of the following passages about the suffering servant. Alternate proposals fail: the nation of Israel is repeatedly described as sinful and cannot redeem itself; individual prophets lacked global salvation scope; and historical kings were never literal substitutionary guilt offerings. Only Jesus, the Son of Man and Davidic King, qualifies. If he is not the suffering servant, there is no suffering servant.
1. He will bring forth justice to the nations. (Isa 42:1) (Matt 12:18)
2. He will establish justice in the earth. (Isa 42:4) (Matt 12:20–21)
3. He will be a light to the nations. (Isa 42:6; 49:6) (Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47; 26:23)
4. He is given as a covenant to the people. (Isa 42:6; 49:8) (Luke 22:20; Heb 9:15)
5. He will not be rebellious. (Isa 50:5) (John 8:29; Phil 2:8; Heb 5:8)
6. He will sprinkle many nations. (Isa 52:15) (Heb 10:22; 12:24; 1 Pet 1:2)
7. He has borne our (Israel’s) griefs and carried our sorrows. (Isa 53:4) (Matt 8:16–17)
8. He was pierced for our (Israel’s) transgressions. (Isa 53:5) (John 19:34–37; 1 Pet 2:24)
9. Upon him (singular) was the chastisement that brought us (plural) peace. (Isa 53:5) (Rom 5:1; Eph 2:14–17; 1 Pet 2:24–25)
10. YHWH laid on him (singular) the iniquity of us all (plural). (Isa 53:6) (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24)
11. He was cut off from the land of the living and buried with a rich man in his death. (Isa 53:8–9) (Acts 8:32–35; Matt 27:57–60)
12. His soul makes an offering for guilt. (Isa 53:10) (Heb 9:26–28; 10:10–14)
13. He shall then (after being killed) see his offspring and prolong his days. (Isa 53:10) (Rom 6:9; Heb 2:10–13; Rev 1:18)
14. He will make many to be accounted righteous. (Isa 53:11) (Rom 5:18–19)
15. He (singular) bore the sins of many (plural) and makes intercession for the transgressors. (Isa 53:12) (Luke 22:37; Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25; 9:28)
16. He will be upheld by God and have God's Spirit placed upon him. (Isa 42:1) (Matt 3:16–17; 12:18; John 3:34)
17. He will not break a bruised reed or extinguish a faintly burning wick. (Isa 42:3) (Matt 12:20)
18. He will faithfully establish justice. (Isa 42:3–4) (Matt 12:18–21)
19. He will open the eyes of the blind. (Isa 42:7) (Matt 11:4–5; Luke 7:21–22; John 9:1–7)
20. He will bring prisoners out of confinement and darkness. (Isa 42:7) (Luke 4:18–21; Acts 26:18)
21. He was called by God from the womb and appointed for his mission before his birth. (Isa 49:1, 5) (Luke 1:31–33; Gal 1:15; cf. Matt 1:21)
22. His mouth will be like a sharp sword. (Isa 49:2) (Rev 1:16; 19:15)
23. He will restore Jacob to YHWH and gather Israel back to him. (Isa 49:5) (Matt 15:24; John 11:51–52; Rom 11:26–27)
24. He will bring God's salvation to the ends of the earth. (Isa 49:6) (Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47; 26:23)
25. He will be despised and abhorred by the nation, yet honored by God. (Isa 49:7) (John 1:11; 1 Pet 2:4–7; Acts 2:32–36)
26. He will restore the land and liberate captives. (Isa 49:8–9) (Luke 4:18–21; Eph 4:8)
27. He will shepherd his people and lead them to springs of water. (Isa 49:9–10) (John 10:11–16; Rev 7:17)
28. He will bring God's people from afar. (Isa 49:12) (John 10:16; 11:51–52; Eph 2:13–17)
29. He will speak as one taught by God, sustaining the weary with his word. (Isa 50:4) (John 7:16; 8:28; Matt 11:28–30)
30. He will listen obediently to God and will not turn back. (Isa 50:5) (John 6:38; 8:29; Phil 2:8)
31. He will willingly endure physical abuse, humiliation, and disgrace. (Isa 50:6) (Matt 26:67; 27:26–30; John 19:1–3)
32. He will set his face like flint, confident that God will vindicate him. (Isa 50:7–8) (Luke 9:51; 18:31–33; Heb 12:2)
33. He will be vindicated by YHWH despite the accusations of his adversaries. (Isa 50:8–9) (Acts 2:24–36; Rom 8:33–34)
34. He will be exalted, lifted up, and greatly honored. (Isa 52:13) (Phil 2:9–11; Acts 2:33; 1 Pet 3:22)
35. His appearance will be marred beyond that of an ordinary man because of his suffering. (Isa 52:14) (Matt 26:67; 27:26–30; John 19:1–3)
36. His work will astonish many nations, and kings will be silenced before him. (Isa 52:15) (Rom 15:20–21; 16:25–26; cf. Rev 17:14)
37. He will be rejected and despised by men. (Isa 53:3) (John 1:11; 15:24–25; 1 Pet 2:4)
38. He will be regarded as stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted, though he suffers for the sins of others. (Isa 53:4) (Matt 8:16–17; 27:39–43; 1 Pet 2:24)
39. He will remain silent before his oppressors, like a lamb led to slaughter. (Isa 53:7) (Matt 27:12–14; Acts 8:32–35; 1 Pet 2:23)
40. He will suffer unjustly despite committing no violence and speaking no deceit. (Isa 53:9) (John 18:38; 19:4; 1 Pet 2:22)
41. He will be crushed according to YHWH's will, accomplishing God's redemptive purpose. (Isa 53:10) (Acts 2:23; Rom 8:32; Heb 10:10)
42. He will see the fruit of his suffering and be satisfied. (Isa 53:11) (John 12:24; Heb 12:2; cf. Rev 5:9–10)
43. He will be allotted a portion with the great and divide the spoil with the strong because he poured out his soul to death. (Isa 53:12) (Luke 22:37; Phil 2:9–11; Rev 5:9–12)