Abstract
1 Peter contains the most extensive use of Isaiah 53 in the New Testament (2.21-25; 3.18). However, there are two deficiencies in the literature on Isaiah 53 in 1 Peter. Firstly, there has not been a comprehensive attempt to discern the extent to which Isaiah 53 influences the christology of 1 Peter. Secondly, there has not been a detailed investigation on the way Isaiah 53 functions as a paradigm for believers in 1 Peter (cf. 2.21; 3.18). This study seeks to address these lacunae by examining the role of Isaiah 53 in the theology and argument of 1 Peter.
The first stage of my argument begins with a survey of Isaiah 53 in Isaiah and in Second Temple Jewish texts. I argue the task of the Servant in Isaiah 53 is related to the Isaian framework of sin–exile–restoration (SER). The Servant is Yhwh’s agent for effecting the forgiveness of sins which led to exile and the restoration of Israel. Then, I demonstrate that some Second Temple Jewish texts interpret Isaiah 53 in light of the broader Isaian SER framework.
In the second stage I examine the three key christological passages in 1 Peter (1.18-21; 2.21-25; 3.18-22). I argue that all three passages represent a shared basis of common belief between author and audience regarding the events surrounding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (i.e., the gospel). As a result, I suggest that there is a gospel narrative underlying each passage. The primary scriptural framework for that gospel narrative, I further contend, is a messianic interpretation of Isaiah 53. That is, 1 Peter understands the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus within the broader SER framework of Isaiah.
The third stage investigates the way in which Isaiah 53 functions in the argument of 1 Peter. I argue that the paradigmatic interpretation of Isaiah 53 in 1 Peter reflects the interpretive trajectory of Isa 54, 56-66, in which a group of servants take up the identity and mission of the Isaian Servant. I explore how the Servant(s) motif of Isaiah supports the scriptural discourse and argument of 1 Peter.
This study demonstrates that Isaiah 53 and its wider Isaian context (Isa 40-66) represent a foundational scriptural source for the theology and argument of 1 Peter. All three christological passages in 1 Peter cohere around a messianic interpretation of Isaiah 53. As a result of this continuity, I formulate a more detailed portrait of the gospel narrative of 1 Peter than has been done before. 1 Peter gives compact summaries of the gospel story (1.18-21; 2.21-25; 3.18-22) and uses rhetorical shorthands such as τὸ εὐαγγέλιον and its synonyms to access that narrative (1.12; 1.25; 4.6; 4.17). This indicates that the gospel story is an integral component of the argument of 1 Peter.
In addition, this study determines that the Isaian Servant(s) motif is an important scriptural source for linking the identity and mission of Jesus with believers. 1 Peter finds in Isaiah 40-66 a scriptural paradigm for shaping Christian identity and exhorting believers to faithful suffering and witness in the midst of social estrangement.