Isaiah 49:6
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Cross-reference
Isaiah 60:3 depicts nations coming to Zion's light — echoing the Servant's role as light to the Gentiles here.
Isaiah 52:10 echoes the same promise: the LORD's salvation will be seen by all nations, directly parallel to the servant being a light to the Gentiles.
In Isaiah 42:6, the same Servant is called 'a light for the Gentiles' — a direct parallel to this verse's mission.
Isaiah 11:10 says the Root of Jesse will be a banner for peoples — a parallel image of the Messiah drawing nations.
Isaiah 62:2 explicitly mentions Gentiles seeing righteousness, directly echoing the light to nations theme from Isaiah 49:6.
Isaiah 51:4 uses the same phrase 'light to the nations', directly reinforcing the mission described in the main verse.
Isaiah 42:1 introduces the servant who brings justice to the nations, directly parallel to the servant's mission as a light for Gentiles.
Isaiah 25:6 describes a feast for all peoples, directly paralleling the universal salvation theme of being a light for Gentiles.
Isaiah 2:2 pictures all nations streaming to God's mountain, matching the universal scope of salvation as a light for Gentiles.
Isaiah 19:24 includes Egypt and Assyria as a blessing, illustrating the inclusion of Gentiles alongside Israel.
Isaiah 11:9 promises the earth filled with knowledge of the LORD, connecting to salvation reaching the ends of the earth.
Acts 13:47 directly quotes Isaiah 49:6 as Paul's commission — applying 'light for the Gentiles' to the apostolic mission.
Psalm 98:3 says all the ends of the earth have seen God's salvation, using the same phrase as Isaiah 49:6.
Psalm 98:2 declares that the LORD has revealed his righteousness to the nations, matching the theme of salvation reaching the ends of the earth.
Acts 26:18 describes Paul opening Gentiles' eyes from darkness to light — fulfilling the Servant's role as light to nations.
Luke 24:47 fulfills the promise: repentance preached to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem—the servant's mission to the Gentiles.
In Luke 2:32, Simeon declares Jesus 'a light for revelation to the Gentiles' — directly quoting this verse's prophecy.
John 3:17 states God sent His Son to save the world — universal salvation that fulfills the promise of salvation reaching the ends of the earth.
In John 8:12, Jesus directly claims 'I am the light of the world,' fulfilling Isaiah's promise of a light for the nations.
Luke 2:30 has Simeon declaring he has seen God's salvation, identified as the infant Jesus who is a light for revelation to the Gentiles.
In John 9:5, Jesus repeats his identity as the light of the world, reinforcing the fulfillment of Isaiah 49:6.
John 1:9 identifies Jesus as the true light that gives light to everyone — a direct fulfillment of the Servant as a light for the nations.
Luke 14:23 commands compelling outsiders to come to the banquet — symbolizing the invitation to Gentiles, echoing the light to the nations.
Luke 13:29 depicts people coming from east, west, north, and south to feast in God's kingdom — a picture of salvation reaching all nations.
Matthew 28:19 commands making disciples of all nations — the Great Commission fulfills Isaiah's vision of salvation to the ends of the earth.
In John 10:16, Jesus' 'other sheep' refers to Gentiles being gathered, fulfilling the promise of salvation reaching the nations.
In John 11:52, Jesus' death gathers the scattered children of God, including Gentiles, mirroring Isaiah's scope of salvation to ends of earth.
In John 12:32, Jesus says his crucifixion will draw all people, fulfilling the prophecy of salvation to the end of the earth.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus directly echoes Isaiah 49:6, commanding witness to the end of the earth as fulfillment of light to nations.
In Acts 28:28, Paul declares salvation sent to the Gentiles – directly fulfilling the 'light to the Gentiles' role of Isaiah 49:6.
In Romans 15:12, Paul quotes Isaiah 11:10 about Gentiles hoping in the Messiah – fulfilling the servant's role as light to Gentiles in Isaiah 49:6.
1 Timothy 2:4 affirms God's desire for all to be saved, directly echoing the universal salvation promised in Isaiah 49:6.
Titus 2:11 declares that God's grace brings salvation for all people, realizing the promise of salvation to the earth's ends.
Revelation 7:9 depicts the great multitude from every nation, the direct result of the Servant being a light to the Gentiles.
Zechariah 9:10 describes a king who speaks peace to nations and rules to the ends of the earth, matching Isaiah's light to the nations.
Psalm 22:27 says all nations will turn to the Lord — directly matching Isaiah 49:6's promise of salvation to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 67:2 prays for God's salvation among all nations — the same global mission Isaiah 49:6 assigns to the Servant.
Jeremiah 16:19 has Gentiles coming from the ends of the earth, mirroring the servant's salvation reaching the ends of the earth.
Zechariah 2:11 says many nations will be joined to the Lord — directly parallels the servant being a light to the nations.
Zechariah 8:23 shows nations grasping the sleeve of a Jew, wanting to go with them — echoes the drawing of nations to God's light.
Luke 2:10 announces good news of great joy for all people — fulfilling the promise that salvation would reach the ends of the earth.
Malachi 1:11 speaks of God's name being great among all nations from sunrise to sunset — a parallel to Isaiah's light for the nations.
Luke 1:79 speaks of giving light to those in darkness and the shadow of death — directly echoing the 'light for the nations' theme of Isaiah 49:6.
Matthew 8:11 shows many from east and west feasting in the kingdom — a direct fulfillment of Isaiah's promise that salvation reaches all nations.
Matthew 12:18 quotes Isaiah 42:1 about the servant proclaiming justice to the Gentiles — a parallel servant passage to Isaiah 49:6's light to the nations.
In Romans 10:20, Paul quotes Isaiah 65:1 about Gentiles finding God – illustrating the 'light to Gentiles' theme of Isaiah 49:6.
In Romans 2:19, Paul uses 'light to those in darkness' ironically about a boastful Jew – contrasting with the true servant as light in Isaiah 49:6.
Psalm 96:3 calls for declaring God's glory among the nations, echoing the mission to be a light for Gentiles.
In Acts 15:17, James quotes Amos about Gentiles seeking the Lord – echoing Isaiah 49:6's promise that salvation reaches Gentiles.
Psalm 40:10 speaks of declaring God's salvation openly — a parallel to the Servant's role as a light proclaiming salvation.
Psalm 49:1 calls all peoples to listen — matching the universal scope of Isaiah 49:6's salvation to the nations.
Psalm 65:2 says all people will come to God — echoing the universal salvation in Isaiah 49:6 for the Gentiles.
Luke 3:6 quotes Isaiah 40:5 that all flesh shall see God's salvation — a parallel universal salvation theme, though from a different Isaiah passage.
In John 7:35, the Jews speculate Jesus might go teach the Greeks, unintentionally echoing Isaiah's prophecy of a light for the nations.
Luke 1:16 describes John turning many Israelites back to God — part of the Servant's mission to restore Israel before bringing light to the nations.
Mark 7:28 records a Gentile woman's faith, exemplifying the light to the nations — a Gentile receives mercy from Jesus.
Psalm 18:43 shows David made head over foreign nations — a type of the Servant bringing salvation to Gentiles.
Zechariah 14:9 declares the Lord will be king over all the earth, resonating with Isaiah's salvation reaching the ends of the earth.
Malachi 4:2 mentions the 'sun of righteousness' rising with healing — a light imagery that echoes Isaiah's servant as a light to the nations.