INTRODUCTION: This chapter is one of the greatest chapters on Christ in the Bible. Although it emphasizes the sufferings of Christ for the sinner, the entire gospel can be found: the birth and life of Christ, His sufferings and death, His burial, His resurrection, and His glorification. Of this chapter, the Baptist preacher J. Frank Norris said: “The greatest chapter, the highest mountain peak of the whole Bible. This chapter should be memorized by all.”

1. REJECTED OF MEN (Isaiah 53:1-3 [1] Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? [2] For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. [3] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
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1. Unknown (Isaiah 53:1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
   See All...; quoted in John 12:38That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
   See All... and Romans 10:16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
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1. The report is not believed (John 1:11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
   See All...; John 8:13-14 [13] The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. [14] Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
   See All...; 1 John 5:10-11 [10] He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. [11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
   See All...).
2. The arm of the Lord not revealed because of unbelief (Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
   See All...; Matthew 16:17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
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2. Unimpressive (Isaiah 53:2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
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1. A tender plant (Matthew 11:28-30 [28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
   See All...; Matthew 12:18-20 [18] Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. [19] He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. [20] A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
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2. A root out of dry ground (Isaiah 11:1-2 [1] And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: [2] And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
   See All..., 10); the picture is of a plant that apparently died, but still had a living root and later sprang up from that root (Job 14:7-9 [7] For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. [8] Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; [9] Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
   See All...; Daniel 4:23And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
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3. Undesirable (Isaiah 53:2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
   See All...b); although this passage may partially apply to the physical appearance of Christ during His life (no mention is ever made of Christ having a striking appearance), the main application of this text certainly points to His condition on the cross. He had been whipped until His bones could be seen through the shredded flesh (Psalm 22:17I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
   See All...). The soldiers had blindfolded him and punched Him in the face (Luke 22:64And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
   See All...). The crown of thorns had further disfigured his face with blood running down on all sides. In addition to all this, His beard had been pulled out by His tormentors (Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
   See All...). As a result, “his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men” (Isaiah 52:14As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
   See All...). That is, He no longer even looked like a man.
1. No form (Isaiah 52:14As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
   See All...); compare to the earth in Genesis 1:2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
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2. No comeliness (Psalm 22:6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
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3. No beauty
4. Rejected (Isaiah 53:3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
   See All...a)
1. Rejected of men (John 1:10-11 [10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
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2. A man of sorrows (Matthew 26:37-38 [37] And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. [38] Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
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3. Acquainted with grief (Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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5. Despised (Isaiah 53:3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
   See All...b; Isaiah 49:7Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
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1. We hid our faces from Him (Job 13:24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?
   See All...).
2. We esteemed Him not (Luke 16:15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
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2. AFFLICTED FOR MEN (Isaiah 53:4-9 [4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. [7] 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. [8] He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. [9] And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
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1. His Substitution (Isaiah 53:4-6 [4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
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1. His burden (Isaiah 53:4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
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1. Bearing our griefs
2. Carrying our sorrows
2. His judgment (Isaiah 53:4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
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1. Stricken
2. Smitten of God
3. Afflicted
3. His payment (Isaiah 53:5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
   See All...; 2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
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1. The debt (Galatians 3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
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1. Wounded for our transgressions
2. Bruised for our iniquities
2. The purchase
1. Chastised for our peace
2. Striped for our healing (1 Peter 2:24-25 [24] Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. [25] For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
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4. His benefactors (Isaiah 53:6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
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1. All we like sheep have gone astray (1 Peter 3:18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
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2. We have turned every one to his own way (Proverbs 14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
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3. The LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Hebrews 9:26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
   See All...).
2. His Silence (Isaiah 53:7He 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.
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1. He opened not His mouth, though oppressed and afflicted (Hebrews 5:8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
   See All...).
2. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter (John 1:29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
   See All...; Revelation 5:6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
   See All...; Revelation 13:8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
   See All...), as a sheep is silent before the shearers (Matthew 27:12-14 [12] And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. [13] Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? [14] And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
   See All...; 1 Peter 2:21-23 [21] For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: [22] Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: [23] Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
   See All...).
3. His Separation (Isaiah 53:8-9 [8] He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. [9] And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
   See All...) – “cut off out of the land of the living”
1. Taken from prison (Isaiah 53:8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
   See All...; Matthew 27:15-18 [15] Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. [16] And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. [17] Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? [18] For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
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2. Taken from judgment (Isaiah 53:8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
   See All...; John 18:38Pilate 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.
   See All...; John 19:4Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
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3. Cut off out of the land of the living (Isaiah 53:8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
   See All...; Daniel 9:26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
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4. Made his grave with the wicked (Isaiah 53:9And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
   See All...; Matthew 27:38Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
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5. Made his grave with the rich (Isaiah 53:9And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
   See All...; Matthew 27:57-60 [57] When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: [58] He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. [59] And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, [60] And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
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3. APPROVED BY GOD (Isaiah 53:10-12 [10] Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. [11] He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
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1. His Payment (Isaiah 53:10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
   See All...a)
1. It pleased the LORD to bruise Him.
2. He made His soul an offering for sin (Psalm 16:10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
   See All...).
2. His Promotion (Isaiah 53:10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
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1. He shall see His seed – paradise (Luke 23:43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
   See All...).
2. He shall prolong His days – resurrection (John 10:17-18 [17] Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. [18] No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
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3. He shall prosper – glorification (John 17:5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
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3. His Propitiation (Isaiah 53:11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
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1. The Father sees the suffering of the Son.
2. The Father is satisfied.
3. The righteous servant justifies many.
1. By His knowledge; He knew what it took to pay for their sins.
2. By bearing their iniquity
4. The doctrine of propitiation (Romans 3:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
   See All...; 1 John 2:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
   See All...; 1 John 4:10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
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1. The definition of propitiation - The act of Christ by which He satisfies the Father’s demand of judgment against sin. By propitiation, the Son experiences the wrath of the Father on sin for the sake of others.
2. The need for propitiation
1. God’s demands (Habakkuk 1:13Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?
   See All...; Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
   See All...a)
2. Our failure (Job 25:4-6 [4] How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? [5] Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. [6] How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?
   See All...; Romans 8:7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
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3. Our weakness (Psalm 49:6-8 [6] They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; [7] None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: [8] (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
   See All...; Romans 5:6-10 [6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
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3. The provision of propitiation
1. Motivated by love (1 John 4:10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
   See All...; John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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2. Extending to all (1 John 2:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
   See All...; 2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
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3. Received by faith (Romans 3:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
   See All...; Romans 10:8-17 [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
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4. His Portion (Isaiah 53:12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
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1. He receives His inheritance.
2. He has proven His worth.
1. By pouring out His soul unto death
2. By being numbered with the transgressors (Mark 15:28And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
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3. By bearing the sin of many (1 Timothy 2:5-6 [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
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4. By making intercession for transgressors (Romans 8:34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
   See All...; Hebrews 7:25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
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CONCLUSION: Jesus Christ did all this for us. Have you trusted in Him?