What does Isaiah 52:13 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The second segment of the section in Isaiah dealing with God"s atonement of Israel (chs49-55), after the anticipation of salvation ( Isaiah 49:1 to Isaiah 52:12), is the announcement of salvation. This is the fourth and most famous Servant Song.

"The profoundest thoughts in the Old Testament revelation are to be found in this section. It is a vindication of the Servant, so clear and so true, and wrought out with such a pathos and potency, that it holds first place in Messianic prophecy." ^[1]

"The exaltation of the Servant of Jehovah is the theme of the prophecy which follows." ^[2]

The reader of the promises that God would redeem His people with His mighty arm (cf. Isaiah 50:2; Isaiah 51:5; Isaiah 51:9; Isaiah 52:10) could reasonably expect that redemption to come with a great display of overwhelming power. But the careful reader of the previous Servant Songs has picked up some hints that the Servant would not fit the mold of the traditional action hero. In this passage, Isaiah filled out the previously sketchy picture of the Servant with more detail concerning His work, character, and nature. God"s greatest power is evident in His ability to return love and forgiveness for hatred and injustice, not in His ability to crush all opposition.

"No subject connected with the Old Testament has been more discussed than the question of the identity of the Suffering Servant in Deutero-Isaiah." ^[3]

This Song consists of five stanzas of three verses each. The first and last stanzas record God"s commendation of the Servant, and the middle three describe the Servant"s commitment to God"s will. The central one focuses on His substitute death. Two key contrasts mark the passage: the contrast between the Servant"s humiliation and His exaltation, and the contrast between the reader"s expectations of the Servant and reality. ^[1]1

"The implication is that he would act with such intelligence as to succeed in his objectives." ^[1] [source]

In view of this success, He would be high, lifted up, and greatly exalted. [source][source]

[source]

"Some commentators see in these three verbs a hint of the stages in the exaltation of our Lord, His resurrection, ascension, and session at the right hand of the Father. Yet the prophet"s purpose seems not so much to present the actual details of our Lord"s life as to set forth a picture of the suffering servant as such." ^[2] [source]

The terms high, lifted up, and greatly exalted describe God elsewhere (cf .v17; Isaiah 6:1; Isaiah 33:10; Isaiah 57:15). One writer noted several similarities between these two sections of the book and used them to argue for a single writer of the entire prophecy. ^[3] Thus the Servant would take a place of equality with God (cf. Acts 2:33; Acts 3:13; Acts 3:26; Philippians 2:9; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22). This could in no way refer to Israel, the remnant in Israel, or any merely human person. [source][source]

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Context Summary

It is not God that has become lethargic; but we that have slept and need to awake. Being awakened, we discover that two sets of attire are waiting for us: First, His strength, so that we may not be afraid of ten thousands of people who set themselves round about; and secondly, the beautiful garments of our Lord's character. See Colossians 3:9-17.

At last the climax of the long prophetic stairway is reached and the summons for the exodus from Babylon rings out, Isaiah 52:11. It was God's return to the desolate city, Isaiah 52:2; Isaiah 52:8. The stately procession moves slowly and fearlessly. It is not the escape of a band of fugitive slaves, dreading pursuit and recapture, Isaiah 52:12. Before it speed the heralds, appearing on the sky line as they ascend the mountains which surround the Holy City, publishing peace and salvation, Isaiah 52:7. The central body is composed of white robed priests, bearing with reverent care the holy vessels, Isaiah 52:11, of which Nebuchadnezzar despoiled the Temple, but which Cyrus restored. See Ezra 1:7-11. Thus, also, the Church marches through the world. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 52

¹  Christ persuades the church to believe his free redemption
⁷  To receive the ministers thereof
⁹  To joy in the power thereof
¹¹  And to free themselves from bondage
¹³  Christ's kingdom shall be exalted