Isaiah 53 Does Not Refer to Jesus

I. Historical evidence The Jewish people have always understood Isaiah 53 to refer to Israel; and never to a demi-god that will be crucified. I will present two pieces of evidence. Evidence 1: Contra CelsusIn his essay, "Contra Celsus", church father Origen conceded that Isaiah 53 "bore reference to the whole [Jewish] people, regarded as one individual, and as being in a state of dispersion and suffering, in order that many proselytes may be gained, on account of the dispersion of the Jews among numerous heathen nations. " [1] Evidence 2: The New TestamentThe New Testament bares record that NONE of the Jewish people in the first century understood Isaiah 53 to refer to Jesus, or one individual for that matter. When Jesus was in the garden praying, he tells his disciples that he must be crucified and mutilated for the world. However, one of the disciples rebuked Jesus. This is quite odd if he knew that Isaiah 53 refers to one individual==REBUTTALS TO MY PARTNER== I. Who is the suffering servant? My partner concedes that Israel is refered to as "G-d's servant. " In the chapters engolfing the beautiful servant song, the theme is always about Israel. How, then, does Isaiah 53 suddenly refer to Jesus? Please justify that. II. Does Jesus fit the discription of Isaiah 53? A. Dispised and rejected Conceded by my partner. נִבְזֶה וַחֲדַל אִישִׁים אִישׁ מַכְאבוֹת וִידוּעַ חלִי וּכְמַסְתֵּר פָּנִים מִמֶּנּוּ נִבְזֶה וְלא חֲשַׁבְנֻהוּThe Hebrew clearly tells that this is the universal theme for the servant, that he is dispised and rejected of men. Indeed, this is the theme of the Jewish nation. NOTE: Graphic pictures for argument purposes only Throughout the Jewish history (and especially during the Nazi regime), we have been depicted as hideous creatures with long noses and an evil to avoid. This is what Isaiah meant by "dispised and rejected. " Indeed, Israel clearly fits the discription of "As many wondered about you, "How marred his appearance is from that of a man, and his features from that of people! "" B. Did not open his mouthSadly, my partner brought up verses that are contradicted by another; namely, John 18:33-38Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. The passage in Isaiah refers to the numerous hardships in the Jewish history; not that they will be silent forever. Moreover, a commentary states: "This verse prophesizes the many hardships – both physical torment and economic exploitation – that the Jews endured in exile. Ironically, this prophecy refers in part to the 11th century Crusaders who "persecuted and afflicted” the Jews in the name of Jesus. In our time, while Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe were "led to the slaughter," they still remained like a "lamb that is silent before her shearers" – without complaints against God. " [2] D. OffspringThis is conceded by my partner. I am well aware of the definition of zera. However, one must realize that it ALWAYS REFER TO A LITERAL OFFSPRING! If he was refering to a spiritual offspring (i. e. , the church), then why is it that Isaiah used the word ze'ra and not banim? E. ProlongedHow can G-d prolong his days? Jesus is supposed to be G-d and G-d is eternal. Therefore, he never dies. II. If not Jesus, who? Extend. I already shown that the "arm of the L-RD" only means a re-generation of Israel. onto con. References [1] Origen. "Contra Celsus. " Quoted on . http://www.aish.com...[2]Ibid.