There is a great division among Christians today as to whether or not Jesus bore our sicknesses and diseases on the cross as well as our sin. However, the Bible is extremely clear on this point, as we shall see below.

The key scripture to read here is Isaiah 53:4 (KJV)

Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows

Most Christians agree that Is 53 is a prophecy concerning Jesus, so this verse also applies to Him.

What is of note here is that the word translated “griefs” in the KJV is the Hebrew word “choliy” which actually means “sickness, disease and grief.” For example, the same word is used in Deut 7:15, 28:59; 28:61; 1 Kings 17:17 etc. etc. Indeed, there are many such references in the Old Testament (and I suggest looking them all up in a good concordance) and in each case it is unequivocally talking about physical sickness and/or disease.

What’s more, the Hebrew word translated “sorrows” in the KJV is the Hebrew word “makob” which means “pain (physical and mental), sorrow.” This is the same word used in Job 33:19:

He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong [pain].

Indeed, the margin notes in my NKJV Bible even states “Lit. Sicknesses” and “Lit. Pains” in reference to this verse.

What’s more, if you read Matthew 8:16-17, where the Isaiah prophecy is quoted, there is even more support for this. These verses state that:

... He (Jesus) cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.

There are two interesting points of note, the NT version of this prophecy refers to “infirmities” and “sicknesses.” And, this prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus healed all who were sick.

Thus, to conclude, the Old Testament clearly prophesies that the Messiah will bear our sickness, disease, grief, physical and mental pain. This is also in total agreement with the New Testament, which states that this prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus healed all who were sick.