1. Acts 8:32–33 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

From which passage of Isaiah was the Ethiopian man reading?

Acts 8:32–33 (ESV)

32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.

The Ethiopian official was reading from Isaiah 53:1–12. The verses quoted are Isaiah 53:7–8, as found in the Greek (Septuagint) translation.1 This passage refers to a servant of the Lord who suffers humiliation and injustice, being killed for the sake of others. In the wider context of Isaiah 53:1–12, there is also a clear affirmation that he (the servant) will ultimately be vindicated by God and honoured by kings.