Why is Jesus referred to as a man of sorrows in Isaiah 53:3?

Answer

The King James Version, New King James, and English Standard Version use the word “sorrows” in Isaiah 53:3 to describe the Messiah as “a man of sorrows.” The NIV translates the word as “suffering.” Isaiah 52:13—53:12 is the climactic fourth of the Servant Songs and is often known as the “Song of the Suffering Servant.” Upon careful reading of these verses, one can observe the immense pain, suffering, and sorrow that Jesus, the Suffering Servant, endured (italics added for emphasis):

“See, my servant will act wisely;

he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

Just as there were many who were appalled at him—

his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being

and his form marred beyond human likeness—

so he will sprinkle many nations,

and kings will shut their mouths because of him.

For what they were not told, they will see,

and what they have not heard, they will understand.

“Who has believed our message

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

He grew up before him like a tender shoot,

and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,

nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by mankind,

a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

Like one from whom people hide their faces

he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

“Surely he took up our pain

and bore our suffering,

yet we considered him punished by God,

stricken by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, havegone astray,

Each of us has turned to our own way;

And the Lord has laid on him

The iniquity of us all.

“He was oppressed and afflicted,

Yet he did not open his mouth;

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

So he did not open his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away.

Yet who of his generation protested?

For he was cut off from the land of the living;

For the transgression of my people he was punished.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked,

And with the rich in his death,

Though he had done no violence,

Nor was any deceit in his mouth.

“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,

And though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,

He will see his offspring and prolong his days,

And the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

After he has suffered,

He will see the light of life and be satisfied;

By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,

And he will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,

And he will divide the spoils with the strong,

Because he poured out his life unto death,

And was numbered with the transgressors.

For he bore the sin of many,

And made intercession for the transgressors.”

Jesus is called “a man of sorrows” because of how much suffering He had to endure. He suffered first by leaving the glories of heaven and entering the human race as a man. Then He suffered all the things that humanity suffers, and then finally He suffered the wrath of God as the sin-bearer. Such suffering must have been all the more acute for Him, given His perfect nature. Who of us could ever understand the depths of what His righteous spirit suffered as He lived among fallen humanity?

Although He is calledHe was called “a man of sorrows,” but Jesus was not a gloomy or melancholic person. Although He experienced moments of sadness, He was able to find joy in His sufferings by focusing on the ultimate outcome. Jesus is described as “the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” «looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. », (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus faced numerous pains, challenges, sufferings, and sorrows, yet He remained focused on the ultimate joy of fulfilling God’s plan and redeeming His lost sheep.

The classic hymn by Philip Bliss is fitting to mention here:

“Man of Sorrows,” what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Bearing shame and rude mockery,
He stood condemned in my place—
Sealing my pardon with His blood:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we,
Yet He, the spotless Lamb of God;
Complete atonement! Can it be?
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
He was lifted up to die,
“It is finished,” His final cry;
Now exalted high in heaven:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
When He returns as our glorious King,
To bring His redeemed ones home,
We will sing this song anew:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
It was Jesus’ willingness to endure suffering and sorrow in a world filled with such afflictions that ultimately delivers all who have faith in Him from the very presence of suffering and sorrow. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” «And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more d