The Mystery of Isaiah 53 By Michael Rydelnik An Old Testament passage thousands of years old still sparks debate between Jews and Christians today. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. One of the key Old Testament passages debated by Jewish and Christian scholars is Isaiah 53.
Jewish sources say the suffering servant depicted here refers to the nation of Israel.
Christians contend it refers to the Messiah. The text of the passage itself plainly says no. Isaiah the prophet, a Jew, in speaking of himself and his own nation Israel, uses the pronouns we, us and our. He describes the Servant as someone other than himself and his people in using the pronouns he, him and his. They both cannot be Israel.