Isaiah 53:3 prophecy says, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” This verse points to Jesus Christ and how he was treated during his earthly ministry. Though he is the eternal Son of God, the promised Savior, Jesus was despised and rejected by the very people he came to save. Let’s explore the meaning and significance of Christ being “despised and rejected of men.”
Jesus was despised by the religious leaders
When Jesus began his public ministry, he encountered opposition from the religious elite. The Pharisees and scribes were threatened by Jesus’ teaching and popularity among the people (Matthew 9:11, Luke 5:21). They accused him of blasphemy for claiming equality with God and criticized him for associating with “sinners” (Luke 5:30, John 8:58-59). The religious leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their authority and power. They despised his humble background and refusal to conform to their strict traditions. Their contempt for Jesus grew as he exposed their hypocrisy and pride. Ultimately, their hatred led them to engineer his execution.
Jesus was rejected by his own people
Tragically, Jesus was rejected by the very people he came to save – the Jews. Though Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah, most failed to recognize him. The people of Nazareth, Jesus’ own hometown, attempted to kill him after he proclaimed truths they didn’t want to hear (Luke 4:16-30). The crowds who once followed Jesus for healing and miracles turned on him when he claimed to be the “bread of life” (John 6:66). Even his own brothers didn’t believe in him during his earthly ministry (John 7:5). The chief priests denied his authority and the mob called for his crucifixion, shouting “we have no king but Caesar!” (John 19:15).
Jesus was betrayed by one of his own disciples
One of Christ’s own hand-picked disciples betrayed him. Judas Iscariot accompanied Jesus throughout his ministry. He witnessed Jesus’ miracles and love for people. Yet he sold Jesus out to the religious leaders for 30 pieces of silver, identifying him with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:47-48). Jesus treated Judas as a friend, yet Judas selfishly betrayed him. Even in his inner circle, Jesus faced rejection.
Jesus was abandoned by his closest disciples
When Jesus was arrested, his closest disciples deserted him. Despite pledging allegiance to him, they scattered and fled to save themselves (Matthew 26:56). Peter, his lead disciple, vehemently denied even knowing Jesus three times during his trial (Luke 22:54-62). Only John was present at the crucifixion. Jesus faced the agony of the cross abandoned by those he loved.
Jesus was mocked and reviled during his trials and crucifixion
After his arrest, Jesus endured a sham trial before the Sanhedrin where he was falsely accused, mocked, spat on and struck (Matthew 26:67-68). Herod and his soldiers treated him with contempt and dressed him up as a fool (Luke 23:11). The Roman soldiers brutally scourged him and pressed a crown of thorns into his head (John 19:1-3). Even while enduring agony on the cross, Jesus was reviled. Rulers sneered at him, soldiers gambled for his clothes, and criminals hurled insults (Matthew 27:39-44).
Jesus was forsaken by the Father as he bore our sins
Worst of all, while on the cross Jesus was forsaken by his own Father as he bore the sins of the world. When He cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), the Father turned away from the Son for the first and only time in all eternity. The holy, perfect Son bore our sins in his body and experienced the abandonment and despair of hell in our place. He was utterly despised and rejected so we could be accepted by God.
Jesus willingly endured rejection to accomplish salvation
Jesus willingly endured such hatred, rejection, and abandonment from sinful men in order to accomplish God’s plan of salvation. He knew his mission from the beginning yet set his face like flint toward Jerusalem to suffer and die (Luke 9:51, Isaiah 50:7). Not even the prospect of facing such rejection caused him to turn aside from obeying the Father’s will. Out of unfathomable love for us, Jesus bore the cross and endured the shame (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus experienced human rejection to the fullest degree
The rejection Jesus experienced shows how horribly sin has warped mankind and turned people against God. No human being has ever faced injustice or rejection to the depths that Jesus did. His suffering demonstrates the shocking truth of man’s rebellion against our Creator. Mankind’s response to our perfect Savior reveals the darkness and deceitfulness of the sinful heart untouched by God’s grace (Jeremiah 17:9). The depravity revealed at the cross points to our desperate need for a Savior.
Jesus understands the pain of human rejection from experience
Not only did Jesus die for our sins, he was despised and rejected to the point of death to fully identify with our human experiences. Because he endured such hostility and abandonment, Jesus can sympathize with our weaknesses and pain from rejection (Hebrews 4:15). When we face misunderstanding or mistreatment even from fellow believers, we can find comfort and understanding in the One who fully comprehends the agony. Jesus invites the rejected and dejected to come to him for rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
Many still reject Christ today – to their eternal loss
Tragically, though Jesus bore our sins and offers eternal life freely to all who believe, most people still reject him. They refuse to acknowledge their sin, humble themselves, and trust in Christ alone for salvation. Jesus warned that many prefer the darkness and do not want to come to the light (John 3:19-20). They find his claims of exclusivity too narrow and offensive. Following the broad way to destruction, they will face Christ as Judge rather than Savior (Matthew 7:13). We must come to Christ on his terms, recognizing him as Lord and God, or face eternal hell.
True believers cherish Christ above all
Those who have received God’s grace and mercy put no confidence in their own works but treasure Christ above all. They consider everything rubbish compared to gaining Christ (Philippians 3:8). They willingly obey him, take up their crosses, and follow him wherever he leads (Matthew 16:24). The love, acceptance, joy, and forgiveness they have found in their Savior transforms them. His followers delight to love and honor the One who bore so much hatred and rejection on their behalf.
Christ’s future glory makes past rejection worthwhile
After his resurrection and ascension to heaven, Jesus was vindicated and highly exalted by the Father (Philippians 2:9). All authority in heaven and earth belongs to him (Matthew 28:18). Every knee will bow before him and every tongue confess his lordship (Philippians 2:10-11). The day is coming when his glory will be revealed and all eyes will see the King in his beauty (Isaiah 33:17). Christ’s present majesty shows that his past rejection and suffering were infinitely worthwhile to accomplish God’s redemptive plan. The despised and rejected Messiah will reign forever as the rightful Lord of all.
The godly face rejection now but will be vindicated with Christ
Those who follow Christ walk the same path of rejection he did. As he faced opposition from sinners, so will his disciples (John 15:20, 2 Timothy 3:12). As he was mocked, so will they be. But those who share in his sufferings will also share abundantly in his comfort and glory (2 Corinthians 1:5, Romans 8:17-18). No earthly hardship compares to the eternal weight of glory reserved for those who are despised for Christ now (2 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Peter 4:13-14). Their vindication with the Lord is near.
We must accept or reject Jesus – eternal destinies hang in the balance
Isaiah’s prophecy makes it clear that we must each have a personal response to Jesus Christ. Neutrality or indifference is impossible. We must either accept or reject him. We must bow before him as Lord or spurn him to our eternal loss. The stakes could not be higher or more serious. We plead with all people to accept the love and sacrifice of the Savior who was pierced for our transgressions so we could be saved from God’s wrath (Isaiah 53:5). Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, despised and rejected for you and me, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).