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Epiphany Season · Second Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6

The Servant as a Light to the Nations

January 18, 2026

The Prophet Isaiah (Sistine Chapel ceiling), Michelangelo Buonarroti
The Prophet Isaiah (Sistine Chapel ceiling), Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1509Sistine Chapel, Vatican
The prophet turning from his book as if someone had spoken behind him, with his name cut into the plinth below.I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.Michelangelo BuonarrotiMichelangelo, on the ceiling, giving each prophet the moment of being interrupted.Sistine Chapel, VaticanThe Sistine Chapel, Vatican.Sistine Chapel, Vatican
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 1:29-34Jn 1:29-34
Second Reading1 Cor. 1:1-31 Cor 1:1-3
First ReadingIsa. 49:3, 5-6Is 49:3, 5-6
Responsorial PsalmPs. 40:2+4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10 (8a, 9a)Ps 40:2+4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10 (8a, 9a)

Overview & Insights

"I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6)

In this second servant song, God tells a servant formed in the womb for this purpose that raising up Jacob and restoring Israel is too small a task. So God expands the servant's mission to be a light to every nation, carrying salvation to the ends of the earth.

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Take it further: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 49:1-7Commentary on Is 49:1-7 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on the fuller servant song assigned for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, on the servant formed in the womb.

Isaiah 49:1-7 CommentaryIs 49:1-7 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary reading the servant's expanded mission as a light to the nations against the backdrop of exile.

Isaiah 49 Commentary: The Messiah's MissionIs 49 Commentary: The Messiah's Mission Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse evangelical commentary on the Messiah's mission to Israel and to the nations.

Isaiah 49:1 CommentariesIs 49:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentary on the servant's call from the womb and his mission to the nations.

Isaiah 49 CommentaryIs 49 Commentary Precept Austin

Extensive verse by verse study notes gathering many scholars on the servant's identity and mission.

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A Agape Bible Study

Catholic study of the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A readings, connecting the servant's call to John's testimony about Jesus.

The Church Fathers

Isaiah 49, patristic commentaryIs 49, patristic commentary Catena

Verse by verse commentary from the church fathers on this chapter, gathered from the catenae.

Background & Word Study

Isaiah 49:1-6Is 49:1-6 Sefaria

Hebrew text of the second servant song, useful for comparison with the first in Isaiah 42.

Isaiah 40-66 OverviewIs 40-66 Overview BibleProject

Animated overview locating this servant song within Isaiah's message of comfort and restoration.

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