The suffering human (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

It is no surprise that the editors of the lectionary assign Isaiah’s “suffering servant” passage for Good Friday. The tradition of finding in the prophet’s words an image of Jesus, crucified on the cross, goes back to the early church (see Acts 8:32-35).