And since Celsus, although professing to know all about the Gospel,
reproaches the Saviour because of His sufferings, saying that He
received no assistance from the Father, or was unable to aid Himself; we
have to state that His sufferings were the subject of prophecy, along
with the cause of them; because it was for the benefit of mankind that
He should die on their account,[1218] and should suffer stripes because
of His condemnation. It was predicted, moreover, that some from among
the Gentiles would come to the knowledge of Him (among whom the prophets
are not included); and it had been declared that He would be seen in a
form which is deemed dishonourable among men. The words of prophecy run
thus: “Lo, my Servant shall have understanding, and shall be exalted and
glorified, and raised exceedingly high. In like manner, many shall be
astonished at Thee; so Thy form shall be in no reputation among men, and
Thy glory among the sons of men. Lo, many nations shall marvel because
of Him; and kings shall close their mouths: because they, to whom no
message about Him was sent, shall see Him; and they who have not heard
of Him, shall have knowledge of Him.”[1219] “Lord, who hath believed our
report? and to whom was the arm of the Lord revealed? We have reported,
as a child before Him, as a root in a thirsty ground. He has no form nor
glory; and we beheld Him, and He had not any form nor beauty: but His
appearance was without honour, and deficient more than that of all men.
He was a man under suffering, and who knew how to bear sickness: because
His countenance was averted, He was treated with disrespect, and was
made of no account. This man bears our sins, and suffers pain on our
behalf; and we regarded Him as in trouble, and in suffering, and as
ill-treated. But He was wounded for our sins, and bruised for our
iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him; by His stripes
we were healed. We all, like sheep, wandered from the way. A man
wandered in his way, and the Lord delivered Him on account of our sins;
and He, because of His evil treatment, opens not His mouth. As a sheep
was He led to slaughter; and as a lamb before her shearer is dumb, so He
opens not His mouth. In His humiliation His judgment was taken away. And
who shall describe His generation? because His life is taken away from
the earth; because of the iniquities of my people was He led unto
death.”[1220]
Footnote 1218:
ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν.
Footnote 1219:
Cf. Isa. lii. 13-15 in the Septuagint version (Roman text).
Footnote 1220:
Cf. Isa. liii. 1-8 in the Septuagint version (Roman text).