This is shown by the language employed, the _offering for sin_ being the same word as that used for the old _guilt-offering_.[373] And the curious expression _So shall he sprinkle many nations_ evidently refers to the sprinkling of the blood in the Jewish sacrifices, as the same word is used, and means cleansing them from sin.[374] Yet it availed not only for the Jews, but for all mankind. The _many nations_ must include Gentiles as well as Jews. Lastly, Christ's sacrifice was _voluntary_; He freely laid down 'He poured out his soul unto death,' implies that the act was [Footnote 373: _E.g._, Lev. 7. 1.] [Footnote 374: _E.g._, Lev. 16. 19.] His life, no one took it from Him (John 10. 18). _voluntary_, and this is rendered still clearer from the context; for it was _because_ He did this that He was to divide the spoil, etc. And the words _He humbled Himself_, also imply that the humiliation was voluntary. All this, it is plain, exactly suits the Christ in whom Christians believe; and it does not and cannot suit anyone else, since several of the Christian doctrines are quite unique, and do not occur in the Jewish or any other religion. This is indeed so striking, that if anyone acquainted with Christianity, but unacquainted with Isaiah, came across the passage for the first time, he would probably refer it to one of St. Paul's Epistles. And every word of it might be found there with perfect fitness. (3.) _The modern Jewish interpretation._ Now, what can be said on the other side? Many of the ancient Jews interpreted the passage as referring to their future Messiah;[375] but the modern Jews (and most critics who disbelieve in prophecy) refer it to the Jewish nation, or to the religious part of it, which they say is here personified as a single man, the Servant of the Lord. And it must of course be admitted that Isaiah does frequently speak of the Jews as God's _servant_ (_e.g._, 'But thou Israel, my servant, and Jacob whom I have chosen,')[376] though he nowhere else uses the term 'my _righteous_ servant,' which he does here, and which would have been inapplicable to the nation. [Footnote 375: References are given in Edersheim's 'Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah,' 1901, vol. ii., p. 727.] [Footnote 376: Isa. 41. 8.]