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Epiphany · The Baptism of Our Lord (First Sunday after the Epiphany) · Year A

Isaiah 42:1-9

The Servant of the Lord

January 11, 2026

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.See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.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
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 3:13-17Mt 3:13-17
EpistleRom. 6:1-11Rom 6:1-11
Old TestamentIsa. 42:1-9Is 42:1-9
PsalterPs. 29Ps 29

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 42:1-9

Commentary

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

A commentary on the first Servant Song, the servant who brings forth justice gently.

Isaiah 42Is 42 Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on the chosen servant and the bruised reed.

Classic commentaries on Isaiah 42Classic commentaries on Is 42 BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries on the Servant Song verse by verse.

Background & Word Study

Isaiah 42 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentaryIs 42 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentary Sefaria

The Hebrew text with classical Jewish commentary on the servant passage.

Isaiah, book overviewIs, book overview Enter the Bible

A background summary of the book's structure, setting, and themes.

Overview: Isaiah 1-39Overview: Is 1-39 BibleProject

An animated overview mapping the literary design and themes of Isaiah 1-39.

Isaiah 42:1 Hebrew interlinearIs 42:1 Hebrew interlinear BibleHub

Word-by-word Hebrew with parsing and Strong's numbers for close study.

The Church Fathers

Isaiah 42, patristic commentaryIs 42, patristic commentary Catena

Patristic reading of the gentle servant, heard christologically.

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