Isaiah

Isaiah is one of the major prophets of the Old Testament — often called the "fifth evangelist" for the remarkable clarity with which his prophecies describe the suffering Servant who would bear the sins of many and the virgin who would conceive the Messiah. He ministered in Jerusalem during the 8th century BC (CCC 712–716).

The Servant Songs

Isaiah's most famous passages are the four "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 42, 49, 50, 53) — poems describing a mysterious figure called the "Servant of the Lord" who would suffer innocently for the sins of the people: "He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities... by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). The New Testament identifies this Servant as Jesus Christ (Acts 8:32–35; CCC 601).

The Prophecy of the Virgin Birth

Isaiah prophesied: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). Matthew's Gospel quotes this directly as fulfilled in the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:23). The Hebrew word almah (young woman) was translated as parthenos (virgin) in the Septuagint, the Greek translation used by the early Church (CCC 497).

Isaiah's Vision of the Kingdom

Isaiah also prophesied the eschatological Kingdom — the restoration of creation, the ingathering of the nations, the coming of God's glory, and the feast of rich food prepared for all peoples (Isaiah 25:6–9; 65:17–25). These visions inform the Church's hope for the new heaven and new earth (CCC 1027).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Isaiah called the "fifth evangelist"? Because his prophecies describe the coming of the Messiah, his ministry, his suffering, and his victory with a clarity that rivals the New Testament accounts. Jerome (4th century) gave him this title, and it has stuck in Catholic tradition.