What does Isaiah 53:5 mean?
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”
“He was pierced for our transgressions … by his wounds we are healed” describes a suffering servant who bears others’ sin in their place. Christians read it as a striking prophecy of Jesus’ death for us.
Written centuries before Jesus, Isaiah 53 portrays one who suffers not for his own wrongs but “for our transgressions” — substitution at the heart of the verse.
“By his wounds we are healed” points first to spiritual healing — being made right with God through his sacrifice. The New Testament applies this directly to Christ (1 Peter 2:24).
What “healing” does Isaiah 53:5 promise?
Primarily healing of our broken relationship with God through forgiveness. It is the deepest healing, even when physical suffering remains in this life.
Original BibleDawn explanation · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.