John 3:14 → Isaiah 52:13

The Greek verb hypsōthēnai ("to be lifted up") used in John 3:14 corresponds to the LXX rendering of the Servant Song's yarum wenissa ("he will be raised and lifted up") in Isa 52:13. John's Gospel employs this verb as a deliberate double-entendre across the three "lifting up" sayings (3:14; 8:28; 12:32), encompassing both the physical elevation of crucifixion and the theological elevation of exaltation. The connection to Isa 52:13 establishes from the outset that the cross is not a defeat but the glorification of the Servant — the moment of his being raised is simultaneously the moment of his being exalted. This Isaianic echo grounds Jesus' own interpretation of the bronze serpent typology: as the serpent was "lifted up" on a pole for Israel's healing (Num 21:8-9), so the Servant is lifted up for the healing of all who believe. The John 3:14 allusion thus introduces the Servant Christology that structures the entire Johannine passion narrative.