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Holy Week · Tuesday of Holy Week · Year A

Isaiah 49:1-7

The Servant of the Lord

March 31, 2026

The Prophet Isaiah, Unknown Byzantine painter (Lagoudera)
The Prophet Isaiah, Unknown Byzantine painter (Lagoudera), 1192Church of Panagia tou Arakos, Lagoudera, Cyprus; photograph Dumbarton Oaks (CC0)
A wall painting in a small mountain church in Cyprus, dated 1192, among the finest surviving late Byzantine frescoes anywhere.The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me.Church of Panagia tou Arakos, Lagoudera, Cyprus; photograph Dumbarton Oaks (CC0)A small twelfth-century mountain church in Cyprus, now a World Heritage site, with its frescoes nearly complete.Church of Panagia tou Arakos, Lagoudera, Cyprus; photograph Dumbarton Oaks (CC0)
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 12:20-36Jn 12:20-36
Epistle1 Cor. 1:18-311 Cor 1:18-31
Old TestamentIsa. 49:1-7Is 49:1-7
PsalterPs. 71:1-14Ps 71:1-14

Overview & Insights

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

So 49:1–6 is a major turning point. So far the Poet’s focus has been Jacob-Israel. Henceforth it will be Jerusalem-Zion. So far the addressee has been Jacob-Israel. Henceforth it will be Jerusalem-Zion. So far Yahweh’s promise has thus concerned the fall of Babylon and the end of the Judeans’ enforced residence there. Henceforth it will concern the restoring of the city that virtually none of the exiles have ever seen. Once more there is no need to infer that time has moved on or that the people are already back in the city. While that might be so, it is just as plausible to imagine the prophet continuing to exercise a ministry in Babylon. Chapters 49–55 are just as relevant to the people there as are chapters 40–48 to people in Judah.

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Commentary

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

A commentary on the second Servant Song, the servant called from the womb to be a light to the nations.

Isaiah 49Is 49 Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on the servant and the promise of restoration.

Classic commentaries on Isaiah 49Classic commentaries on Is 49 BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries on the Servant Song verse by verse.

Isaiah 49 CommentaryIs 49 Commentary Precept Austin

Inductive verse-by-verse notes and cross-references drawing many conservative sources.

Background & Word Study

Isaiah 49 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentaryIs 49 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentary Sefaria

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

Overview: Isaiah 40-66Overview: Is 40-66 BibleProject

An animated overview mapping the literary design and themes of Isaiah 40-66.

Isaiah 49:1 Hebrew interlinearIs 49:1 Hebrew interlinear BibleHub

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

The Church Fathers

Isaiah 49, patristic commentaryIs 49, patristic commentary Catena

Patristic reading of the servant as a light to the nations.

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