Bible Commentaries
Isaiah

Isaiah has, with singular propriety, been denominated the Evangelical Prophet, on account of the number and variety of his prophecies concerning the advent and character, the ministry and preaching, the sufferings and death, and the extensive and permanent kingdom of the Messiah. So explicit and determinate are his predictions, as well as so numerous, that he seems to speak rather of things past than of events yet future; and he may be rather called an evangelist than a prophet. Though later critics, especially those on the continent, have expended much labour and learning in order to rob the prophet of his title; yet no one, whose mind is unprejudiced, can be at a loss in applying select portions of these prophecies to the mission and character of Jesus Christ, and to the events in his history which they are cited to illustrate by the sacred writers of the New Testament. In fact, his prophecies concerning the Messiah seem almost to anticipate the Gospel history; so clearly do they predict his Divine character. (Compare Isaiah 7:14 with Matthew 1:18-23, and Luke 1:27-35; see Isaiah 6:1-13; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 35:4; Isaiah 40:5, Isaiah 40:9, Isaiah 40:19; Isaiah 42:6-8; compare Isaiah 61:1, with Luke 4:18; see Isaiah 62:11; Isaiah 63:1-4); his miracles (Isaiah 35:5, Isaiah 35:6); his peculiar character and virtues (Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 11:3; Isaiah 40:11; Isaiah 43:1-3); his rejection (Compare Isaiah 6:9-12 with Mark 13:14; see Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 7:15; Isaiah 53:3); his sufferings for our sins (Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 53:4-11); his death and burial (Isaiah 53:8, Isaiah 53:9); his victory over death (Isaiah 25:8; Isaiah 53:10, Isaiah 53:12); his final glory (Isaiah 49:7, Isaiah 49:22, 33; Isaiah 52:13-15; Isaiah 53:4, Isaiah 53:5); and the establishment, increase, and perfection of his kingdom (Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:4-10; Isaiah 16:5; Isaiah 29:18-24; Isaiah 32:1; Isaiah 40:4, Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 42:4; Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 49:9-13; Isaiah 51:3-6; Isaiah 53:6-10; Isaiah 55:1-3; Isaiah 59:16-21; 60; Isaiah 61:1-5; Isaiah 65:25); each specifically pointed out, and pourtrayed with the most striking and discriminating characters. It is impossible, indeed, to reflect on these, and on the whole chain of his illustrious prophecies, and not be sensible that they furnish the most incontestable evidence in support of Christianity. The style of Isaiah has been universally admired as the most perfect model of elegance and sublimity; and as distinguished for all the magnificence, and for all the sweetness of the Hebrew language.