Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
sprinkle many—GESENIUS, for the antithesis to "be astonished," translates, "shall cause . . . to exult." But the word universally in the Old Testament means either to sprinkle with blood, as the high priest makes an expiation (Leviticus 4:6; Leviticus 16:18-19); or with water, to purify (Ezekiel 36:25; compare as to the Spirit, Acts 2:33), both appropriate to Messiah (John 13:8; Hebrews 9:13-14; Hebrews 10:22; Hebrews 12:24; I Peter 1:2). The antithesis is sufficient without any forced rendering. Many were astonished; so many (not merely men, but) nations shall be sprinkled. They were amazed at such an abject person claiming to be Messiah; yet it is He who shall justify and purify. Men were dumb with the amazement of scorn at one marred more than the lowest of men, yet the highest: even kings (Isaiah 49:7, Isaiah 49:23) shall be dumb with awe and veneration ("shut . . . mouths"; Job 29:9-10; Micah 7:16).
that . . . not . . . told them—the reason why kings shall so venerate them; the wonders of redemption, which had not been before told them, shall then be announced to them, wonders such as they had never heard or seen parallelled (Isaiah 55:1; Romans 15:21; Romans 16:25-26).
The speaker, according to HORSLEY, personates the repenting Jews in the latter ages of the world coming over to the faith of the Redeemer; the whole is their penitent confession. This view suits the context (Isaiah 52:7-9), which is not to be fully realized until Israel is restored. However, primarily, it is the abrupt exclamation of the prophet: "Who hath believed our report," that of Isaiah and the other prophets, as to Messiah? The infidel's objection from the unbelief of the Jews is anticipated and hereby answered: that unbelief and the cause of it (Messiah's humiliation, whereas they looked for One coming to reign) were foreseen and foretold.
Summary of Messiah's history, which is set forth more in detail in the fifty-third chapter. "Just as many were astonished (accompanied with aversion, Jeremiah 18:16; Jeremiah 19:8), etc.; his visage, etc.; so shall He sprinkle," etc.; Israel in this answers to its antitype Messiah, now "an astonishment and byword" (Deuteronomy 28:37), hereafter about to be a blessing and means of salvation to many nations (Isaiah 2:2-3; Micah 5:7).
thee; his—Such changes of persons are common in Hebrew poetry.
marred—Hebrew, "disfigurement"; abstract for concrete; not only disfigured, but disfigurement itself.
more than man—CASTALIO translates, "so that it was no longer that of a man" (compare Psalms 22:6). The more perfect we may suppose the "body prepared" (Hebrews 10:5) for Him by God, the sadder by contrast was the "marring" of His visage and form.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Isaiah 52:15:
Job 5:16
Psalms 107:42-43
Song of Solomon 6:8
Isaiah 49:7
Isaiah 52:13
Isaiah 55:5
Isaiah 60:3
Micah 7:16
Hebrews 12:24
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