Bruised for us

Sawyer also notes that Christian interpreters often used the gruesome description of the beaten body in Isaiah 1:6 as background and justification for describing the wounds of Christ in detail.  In traditional readings, Isaiah shows that “no part of his precious body was spared,” suggests that the scourging of Jesus began with the feet and moved to the head.  The list of wounds and blemishes is inspiration for artistic representations of the Passion.

Theologically, this works.  Isaiah is describing the condition of Judah in 1:6, but the Servant comes precisely to shoulder and bear that burden Himself.  All the wounds and bruises and afflictions of Israel register on Him, so that he can bear them away.