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Epiphany Season · Baptism of the Lord · Year B

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 or Isaiah 55:1-11

The Servant of the Lord

January 10, 2027

The Prophet Isaiah, Michelangelo Buonarroti
The Prophet Isaiah, Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1509Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
One of the seven prophets on the Sistine ceiling. Isaiah has stopped reading, his finger still in the book, and turned sharply towards a child behind his shoulder.These are Isaiah's readings, and Michelangelo painted him at the moment of being interrupted.Michelangelo BuonarrotiSculptor first and painter under protest, who spent four years on his back on the Sistine ceiling and produced the most consequential painting in Europe.Sistine Chapel, Vatican CityThe pope's chapel, where conclaves are held, decorated by Perugino, Botticelli and Ghirlandaio before Michelangelo was ever asked.Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
Roman Lectionary
GospelMark 1:7-11Mk 1:7-11
Second ReadingActs 19:1-7 or1 John 5:1-91 Jn 5:1-9
First ReadingIsa. 42:1-4, 6-7Is 42:1-4, 6-7 orIsa. 55:1-11Is 55:1-11
Responsorial PsalmIsa. 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 (3)Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 (3)

Overview & Insights

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold... a bruised reed he will not break.” (Isaiah 42:1, 3)

Again Yahweh challenges opponents to come to court to argue out who is God (41:21–29). Again a passage about Yahweh’s servant (42:1–9) follows this court case. Again this leads into praise and a vision of Yahweh transforming nature (42:10–17). While the three sections parallel the preceding set of three, they take matters much further.

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Take it further: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 or Isaiah 55:1-11

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 42:1-9Commentary on Is 42:1-9 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on the first Servant Song, the RCL Baptism reading that frames Jesus as God's chosen servant.

Isaiah 42:1-9 CommentaryIs 42:1-9 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed commentary showing how the Servant Song reads almost like a commentary on Jesus' baptism.

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Isaiah Chapter 42Enduring Word Bible Commentary Is Chapter 42 Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse evangelical treatment of the gentle Servant who brings forth justice.

Isaiah 42:1 CommentariesIs 42:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries on the opening verses of the Servant Song.

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Cycle B) Agape Bible Study

Catholic study notes linking Isaiah's Servant to the readings of the feast.

Background & Word Study

Isaiah 42 (Hebrew and English)Is 42 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria

The Hebrew text of Isaiah 42 with English alongside for close reading of the Servant Song.

Isaiah 42:1 Hebrew InterlinearIs 42:1 Hebrew Interlinear BibleHub

Word by word Hebrew with Strong's numbers for the vocabulary of the chosen servant.

The Church Fathers

Isaiah 42 Commentary (Catena Bible)Is 42 Commentary (Catena Bible) Catena

Patristic comments on Isaiah 42 read the Servant as a prophecy of Christ.

Questions preachers ask

Who is the Servant of Isaiah 42?

God's chosen servant, filled with his Spirit, will bring forth justice to the nations gently and faithfully, a light to the Gentiles, whom the Gospels see fulfilled in Jesus.

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