Where is Isaiah Quoted in the Scriptures?
If you're like me, you've heard it said many times that Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in scripture. Once you start looking for his words, it's not hard to see why.
Isaiah prophesied extensively about the coming Messiah, the scattering and gathering of Israel, the restoration of the gospel, the latter days, and the Lord's dealings with his covenant people. He lived through the fall of the Northern Kingdom and foresaw the fall of Jerusalem.
His words are quoted throughout the New Testament, Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine & Covenants.
So where exactly is Isaiah quoted or paraphrased?
The following list can be used as a reference:
Isa. 1:9 Rom. 9:29
Isa. 2 2 Ne. 12
Isa. 3 2 Ne. 13
Isa. 4 2 Ne. 14
Isa. 5 2 Ne. 15
Isa. 6 2 Ne. 16
Isa. 6:3 Rev. 4:8
Isa. 6:9–10 Matt. 13:14–15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:39–40; Acts 28:26
Isa. 7 2 Ne. 17 (see also 2 Kgs. 16:5–20; 2 Chr. 28:16–27)
Isa. 7:14 Matt. 1:23
Isa. 8 2 Ne. 18
Isa. 8:14 Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:8
Isa. 9 2 Ne. 19
Isa. 9:1–2 Matt. 4:15–16
Isa. 10 2 Ne. 20
Isa. 10:22 Rom. 9:27
Isa. 11 2 Ne. 21; JSH 1:40 (The Angel Moroni quoted this chapter to Joseph Smith)
Isa. 11:1–5 see D&C 113:1–6
Isa. 11:4–9 2 Ne. 30:9, 11–15
Isa. 11:10 Rom. 15:12
Isa. 12 2 Ne. 22
Isa. 13 2 Ne. 23
Isa. 13:10 Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24
Isa. 14 2 Ne. 24
Isa. 21:9 D&C 1:16
Isa. 22:13 1 Cor. 15:32; 2 Ne. 28:7
Isa. 25:8 1 Cor. 15:54–56; Rev. 7:17; 21:4
Isa. 28:13 2 Ne. 28:30
Isa. 28:16 Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:6
Isa. 29 2 Ne. 27
Isa. 29:10 Rom. 11:8
Isa. 29:13 Matt. 15:8–9; Mark 7:6–7
Isa. 29:14 1 Cor. 1:19; D&C 4:1; 6:1
Isa. 29:16 Rom. 9:20–21
Isa. 35:5–6 Matt. 11:5; Luke 7:22
Isa. 36 see 2 Kgs. 18:13–22 and 2 Chr. 32:1–19
Isa. 37 see 2 Kgs. 19 and 2 Chr. 32:20–23
Isa. 38 see 2 Kgs. 20:1–11 and 2 Chr. 32:24–27
Isa. 39 see 2 Kgs. 20:12–19
Isa. 40:3–5 Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4–6; John 1:23; D&C 65:1
Isa. 40:6–7 1 Pet. 1:24–25
Isa. 40:13–14 Rom. 11:34; 1 Cor. 2:16
Isa. 40:31 D&C 89:20
Isa. 42:1–4 Matt. 12:18–21
Isa. 42:20 Matt. 13:13–14
Isa. 45:23 Rom. 14:11
Isa. 48 1 Ne. 20
Isa. 49 1 Ne. 21
Isa. 49:6 Acts 13:47
Isa. 49:8 2 Cor. 6:2
Isa. 49:10 Rev. 7:16
Isa. 49:22–26 2 Ne. 6:6–7, 16–18
Isa. 50 2 Ne. 7
Isa. 51 2 Ne. 8
Isa. 52:1–3, 6–7, 11–15 3 Ne. 20:36–45
Isa. 52:1–8 see D&C 113:7–10
Isa. 52:7 Rom. 10:15
Isa. 52:11 2 Cor. 6:17; D&C 38:42; 133:5
Isa. 52:12 D&C 49:27
Isa. 52:15 Rom. 15:21
Isa. 53 Mosiah 14
Isa. 53:1 John 12:38; Rom. 10:16
Isa. 53:4 Matt. 8:17; 1 Pet. 2:24
Isa. 53:3–5 see Mark 9:12
Isa. 53:6 1 Pet. 2:25
Isa. 53:7–8 Acts 8:32–33
Isa. 53:9 1 Pet. 2:22
Isa. 53:12 Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37; 1 Pet. 2:24; Heb. 9:28
Isa. 54:1 Gal. 4:27
Isa. 54 3 Ne. 22
Isa. 55:3 Acts 13:34
Isa. 56:7 Matt. 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46
Isa. 59:20 Rom. 11:26
Isa. 59:7–8 Rom. 3:15–17
Isa. 61:1–2 Luke 4:18–19
Isa. 62:11 Matt. 21:5
Isa. 64:1 D&C 133:40
Isa. 64:4 1 Cor. 2:9
Isa. 65:1–2 Rom. 10:20–21
Isa. 65:17 2 Pet. 3:13
Isa. 65:20–22 D&C 101:30
Isa. 66:1–2 Acts 7:49–50
Isa. 66:24 Mark 9:44
*There are many shorter examples that are also woven into our scriptures
One powerful way to study Isaiah is to read how his words were applied by later prophets and leaders of God's kingdom.
The Book of Mormon itself explains why Isaiah is so important. After quoting many of Isaiah's words, Nephi says:
2 Ne. 25:1 "Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews. 2 For I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations. 3 Wherefore, I write unto my people, unto all those that shall receive hereafter these things which I write, that they may know the judgments of God, that they come upon all nations, according to the word which he hath spoken. 4 Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn. 5 Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah, for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews, and I know that the Jews do understand the things of the prophets, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews. 6 But behold, I, Nephi, have not taught my children after the manner of the Jews; but behold, I, of myself, have dwelt at Jerusalem, wherefore I know concerning the regions round about; and I have made mention unto my children concerning the judgments of God, which hath come to pass among the Jews, unto my children, according to all that which Isaiah hath spoken, and I do not write them. 7 But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my plainness; in the which I know that no man can err; nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass. 8 Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men, and he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly, and confine the words unto mine own people; for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them."
And the greatest endorsement of Isaiah comes from the Savior Himself. Not only did He quote Isaiah to proclaim Himself the Messiah in Nazareth (see Luke 4:16–21; Isa. 61:1–2), but He said this to the Nephites:
3 Ne. 23:1 "And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah. 2 For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles."
Hope this helps as you jump into to studying the great words of Isaiah!
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