The Messiah Pages

His Intercession

THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES

And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the
labour of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous
Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I
will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with
the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was
numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made
intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:11-12)


THE RABBINIC WRITINGS

The expression "My Servant" they [certain contemporary commentators]
compare rashly with Isaiah 41:8 "thou Israel art my servant", where the
prophet is speaking of the people of Israel (which would be singular):
here, however, he does not mention Israel, but a simply says "My
Servant": we cannot therefore understand the word in the same sense ... I
am pleased to interpret it in accordance with the teaching of our rabbis of
the King Messiah, and will be careful, so far as I am able, to adhere to the
literal sense: thus, possibly, I shall be free from the forced far-fetched
interpretations of which others have been guilty. (Rabbi Moshe Kohen
ibn Crispin, circa 1350 CE)

He (Messiah) shall intercede for many sins, and the rebellious for his sake
will be forgiven. (Targum Jonathan)

The fact is it refers to King Messiah. "He was counted with the
transgressors," because they appointed his grave by the wicked, He will
intercede for the transgressors, and for those who rise up against Him. (Herz Homberg, 1749-1841)

THE NEW TESTAMENT

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they
do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)

Who is he who condemns? It is Messiah who died, and furthermore is also
risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession
for us. (Romans 8:34)

Therefore He [Jesus] is also able to save to the uttermost those who come
to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
(Hebrews 7:25)