Isaiah — Chapter 52
Synopsis Capitis
Synopsis: The chapter that introduces the great fourth Servant Song (continuing into ch.53). Key verses: v.7, 'How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news' (cited Rom 10:15); v.13-15, the opening of the fourth Servant Song ('Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up and exalted' — citing Isa 6:1 theophany language for the crucified-and-risen Christ). Lapide devotes extraordinary attention to v.13-15 and the transition into ch.53 as the summit of Isaianic prophecy.
Verse 7
Quam pulchri super montes pedes evangelizantis et praedicantis pacem
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion: Your God reigns. Paul applies this (Rom 10:15) to the apostolic mission: 'How shall they preach unless they are sent?' Lapide: the primary referent is Christ Himself, the first and supreme herald of the Good News (Lk 4:18: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor'). Secondary referent: the Apostles, whose 'beautiful feet' Paul cites as the basis of mission. 'Beautiful feet' — feet soiled by the roads of mission, calloused by apostolic travel, yet beautiful because they carry the Gospel of salvation.
Verse 13
Ecce intelliget servus meus, exaltabitur et elevabitur et sublimis erit valde
Behold, my servant shall deal wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted very high. The opening of the fourth Servant Song uses the theophanic language of Is 6:1 ('high and lifted up') for the Servant — a deliberate identification of the crucified-and-risen Christ with the divine Lord of the Temple vision. Lapide: 'intelliget' (he shall deal wisely / understand) = Christ's redemptive wisdom that encompasses the mystery of voluntary suffering leading to glory. The three verbs of exaltation (exaltabitur, elevabitur, sublimis erit) = resurrection, ascension, and session at the Father's right hand. 'As many were astonished at him — his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance' (v.14) = the Passion's disfigurement, prophesied and voluntary.