Isaiah 53:2

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Cross-reference

Isaiah 52:14 describes the servant's marred appearance, directly paralleling the lack of beauty in the main verse.

Isaiah 11:1 Parallel

Isaiah 11:1 uses the same 'shoot from Jesse' imagery, another messianic prophecy of a righteous branch.

John 18:40 Prophetic fulfillment

In John 18:40, the crowd chooses Barabbas over Jesus, fulfilling the servant's rejection and contempt described in the main verse.

John 1:10-14 tells how the Word became flesh but was not recognized, reflecting the servant's humble appearance that led to rejection.

Luke 2:52 Parallel

In Luke 2:52, Jesus' growth in wisdom and stature mirrors the servant's development as a tender shoot.

Luke 2:40 Parallel

In Luke 2:40, Jesus' growth and strength echo the 'tender shoot' growing up in Isaiah 53:2.

John 19:5 Prophetic fulfillment

John 19:5 presents Jesus crowned with thorns—'Behold the man!'—directly matching the servant's lack of form or majesty.

Luke 2:7 Parallel

In Luke 2:7, Jesus' birth in a manger demonstrates his humble beginnings, matching the servant's lack of outward splendor.

Mark 9:12 Allusion

In Mark 9:12, Jesus cites the Scripture that the Son of Man must suffer and be treated with contempt, echoing the servant's humble appearance.

John 19:14 Prophetic fulfillment

John 19:14 has Pilate say 'Behold your king!' while Jesus is humiliated, contrasting with expected majesty—fulfilling the servant's unkingly appearance.

John 19:15 Prophetic fulfillment

John 19:15 records the crowd rejecting Jesus as king, fulfilling the servant's despising and rejection implied by his humble appearance.

Zechariah 6:12 names the coming ruler 'the BRANCH', directly echoing the plant imagery of the suffering servant.

Romans 8:3 Parallel

In Romans 8:3, Jesus' coming in the likeness of sinful flesh embodies the servant's humble form.

In Philippians 2:7, Christ taking the nature of a servant directly identifies with the servant in Isaiah 53:2.

Jeremiah 23:5 speaks of a 'Branch of righteousness' from David, paralleling the tender shoot metaphor for the Messiah.

In 2 Corinthians 8:9, Paul describes Christ's voluntary poverty, directly echoing the Servant's lack of allure—both highlight his humble state for our benefit.

Hebrews 2:9 Parallel

In Hebrews 2:9, Jesus' temporary lowering and subsequent glory directly parallels the Servant's humble appearance and exaltation in Isaiah.

John 1:11 Allusion

John 1:11 says his own people did not receive him, matching the servant's rejection implied by his lack of desirability.

Luke 2:12 Parallel

Luke 2:12 points to Jesus' humble birth in a manger, matching the 'no beauty or majesty' of the suffering servant.

Mark 9:2 Contrast

Mark 9:2 describes Jesus' glorious transfiguration—a direct contrast to the servant's unremarkable appearance.

Matthew 13:55 reveals Jesus' humble origin as a carpenter's son, echoing the 'no majesty' image of the servant.

Zechariah 3:8 calls the Messiah 'my servant the Branch', directly matching the plant imagery of the shoot in 53:2.

Micah 5:2 Parallel

Micah 5:2 emphasizes the Messiah's humble origin in Bethlehem, mirroring the 'root out of dry ground' in 53:2.

Jeremiah 33:15 promises a 'righteous Branch' from David; this 'tender shoot' in 53:2 is clearly the same messianic figure.

Ezekiel 17:22-24 describes God planting a sprig that becomes a great tree, similar to the tender shoot metaphor for the coming ruler.