What does Isaiah 53:5 mean?
"He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 is the OT’s clearest preview of the cross, written 700 years before it happened.
Every clause is exchange: he was pierced FOR us, crushed FOR us, chastised FOR us, wounded FOR us — and from his suffering, our peace and healing flow.
Peter quotes it directly of Christ (1 Peter 2:24). It is the suffering Servant of Isaiah recognized as Jesus on the cross.
"With his wounds we are healed" — not only physical healing, but the deeper healing of forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.