Texts in Conversation
1 Peter uses the language of Isaiah 53 to describe one who suffers unjustly yet doesn't speak out, interpreting Jesus as the servant who endures violence without retaliation. Isaiah’s image of suffering becomes a model for interpreting Jesus’ suffering.
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Isaiah 53:9
Hebrew Bible
7 He was treated harshly and afflicted, but he did not even open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block, like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not even open his mouth. 8 He was led away after an unjust trial—but who even cared? Indeed, he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded. 9 They intended to bury him with criminals, but he ended up in a rich man’s tomb because he had committed no violent deeds, nor had he spoken deceitfully. 10 Though the Lord desired to crush him and make him ill, once restitution is made, he will see descendants and enjoy long life, and the Lord’s purpose will be accomplished through him. 11 Having suffered, he will reflect on his work, he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done. “My servant will acquit many, for he carried their sins.
Date: 7th-5th Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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1 Peter 2:22
New Testament
20 For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God. 21 For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed.
Date: 60-65 C.E. (If authentic), 80-90 C.E. (If anonymous) (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The blood of the lamb had apotropaic rather than redemptive value. Since the New Testament references to Christ as paschal lamb leave no doubt about that context (1 Corinthians 5:7; John 19:36), and since the phrase does not occur in the description of the original Passover lamb, it seems likely that the primary reference here is not to Passover. Our author's citation of phrases from Isaiah 53 in 2:22-25 has called attention to Isaiah 53:7 as a possible source of this language, but the absence of any common vocabulary other than the word for lamb renders such an origin questionable ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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