John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 53:1

"Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?" — Isaiah 53:1 (ASV)

Who will believe our report? This division, or rather dismemberment, of the chapter ought to be disregarded. It ought to have begun with the thirteenth verse of the previous chapter, and these words ought to be connected with what came before.

Here the Prophet pauses, so to speak, in the middle of his discourse. For, having previously said that the name of Christ would be proclaimed everywhere and revealed to unknown nations, and yet would have so lowly an appearance that it might seem as if these things were fictitious, he breaks off his discourse and exclaims that “Nobody will believe those things.” At the same time, he describes his grief that people are so unbelieving as to reject their salvation.

Thus, it is a holy complaint made by one who wished that Christ should be known by all, and who, despite this, sees that there are few who believe the Gospel, and therefore groans and cries out, Who hath believed our report? Let us therefore groan and complain along with the Prophet, and let us be distressed with grief when we see that our labor is unprofitable, and let us complain before God. For godly ministers must be deeply affected if they wish to perform their work faithfully. Isaiah declares that there will be few who submit to the Gospel of Christ; for when he exclaims, “Who will believe the preaching?” he means that of those who hear the Gospel, scarcely one in a hundred will be a believer.

Nor does he speak of himself alone, but as one who represents all teachers. Therefore, although God gives many ministers, few will hold to their doctrine. And what then will happen when there are no ministers? Do we wonder that the greatest blindness reigns in such places? If cultivated ground is unfruitful, what should we expect from soil that is uncultivated and barren?

And yet, the fact that there are few disciples who receive it does not detract anything from the Gospel of Christ. Nor does the small number of believers lessen its authority or obscure its infinite glory. On the contrary, the loftiness of the mystery is a reason why it scarcely gains acceptance in the world. It is considered to be folly because it exceeds all human capacities.

To whom (literally, on whom) is the arm of Jehovah revealed? In this second clause, he points out the reason why the number of believers will be so small. This is because no one can come to God except by an extraordinary revelation of the Spirit. To suppose that by the word “Arm” Christ is meant is, in my opinion, a mistake. It assigns the cause why there are so few who believe: namely, that they cannot attain it by the wisdom of their own understanding. This is a remarkable passage and is quoted by John and Paul for that purpose. John said, “Though Jesus had performed many miracles in their presence, they did not believe in him, so that the saying of Isaiah the Prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:

Lord, who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? (John 12:37–38).

And Paul says, “But they do not all believe the Gospel; for Isaiah says, Lord, who hath believed our report?” (Romans 10:16). Both of them declare that there will be no reason to wonder if that which was foretold long ago shall happen. They do so to remove the offense that might have arisen from the revolt of that nation, which ought to have acknowledged Christ but obstinately resisted him.

Isaiah does not include merely the people of his own time, but all posterity to the end of the world. For as long as the reign of Christ shall endure, this must be fulfilled. Therefore, believers ought to be fortified by this passage against such a scandal.

These words refute the ignorance of those who think that faith is in the power of every person because preaching is common to all. Although it is sufficiently evident that all are called to salvation, the Prophet expressly states that the external voice is of no avail if it is not accompanied by a special gift of the Spirit. And from where does the difference proceed, but from the secret election of God, the cause of which is hidden in Himself?