Lenten Season · Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: Mass · Year B
Isaiah 50:4-7
Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience
March 21, 2027
Overview & Insights
“I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard.” (Isaiah 50:6)
In 50:4 the subject suddenly changes again—in two senses. The grammatical subject is once again a human “I” rather than a divine “I,” and the thematic subject is the pressure upon this human “I.” In both respects the passage parallels 49:1–6, and it will emerge that 50:4–52:12 forms a sequence parallel to 49:1–50:4, analogous to double sequences we have noted earlier in chapters 40–55. The arrangement of sections is not as tightly parallel as in earlier instances, but the parallelism again means that the second sequence develops issues raised in the first. Here, as there, that involves discussion of the role of Yahweh’s servant (50:4–11 as 49:1–6), but here the destiny of Zion and the way the destiny of the Babylonian community relates to it (51:1–52:12 as 49:7–50:3) receive more attention.
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Commentary
Commentary on Isaiah 50:4-9a Working Preacher
Luther Seminary RCL commentary on the third Servant Song (the RCL 50:4-9a covers this reading).
Isaiah 50 – The Servant Obeys, Though Israel Rebels Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse reading of the Servant who sets his face like flint.
Isaiah 50 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep anthology of linked commentary and cross-references on the chapter.
Isaiah 50:4-9a Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on the suffering Servant's steadfast trust.
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion (Year B) Agape Bible Study
A Catholic study that reads the first reading as Isaiah's suffering Servant fulfilled in Christ.
Background & Word Study
Isaiah (Enter the Bible) Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary overview of Isaiah and the Servant Songs of Second Isaiah.
Isaiah 50:4 Hebrew Text and Commentaries Sefaria
The Hebrew text with classical Jewish commentary for this real Old Testament reading.
Isaiah 50:4 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew word-by-word of the Servant's opened ear and taught tongue.
Questions preachers ask
How does the Servant respond to suffering?
Given the tongue of a teacher, the obedient Servant does not turn back but sets his face like flint, trusting the God who helps him, an image of Christ in his Passion.
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