He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied; by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
An understanding of this verse comes by substituting nouns for the pronouns. From the context of the verse, it is clear that Elohim shall see the travail of Jesus Christ’s soul and shall be satisfied. Jesus suffered in Gethsemane and there took “upon himself [the people’s] iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice” (Mosiah 15:9). Jesus’ knowledge of the sins of all humankind (see 2 Nephi 9:20) and his sinlessness—”a righteous servant”—enabled him to make an eternal sacrifice. Many people will thus be justified and obtain salvation because Jesus paid for their sins. Some have interpreted the servant’s justifying of “many” as evidence that Jesus, in his foreknowledge, only suffered for those who he knew would repent. This interpretation is not consistent with Jacob’s declaration that Jesus “suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam” (2 Nephi 9:21); or with Jacob and Amulek’s pronouncement that the Atonement must be an infinite atonement (see 2 Nephi 9:7), in other words, an infinite and eternal sacrifice (see Alma 34:10). Samuel the Lamanite taught that the Atonement brought all humankind back into the presence of God (Helaman 14:17). However, Jacob taught that only those who repent, are baptized, and have perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel will be saved—and if not they will be damned (see 2 Nephi 9:23–24). Therefore, although Jesus paid for the sins of all humankind, not all will meet the criteria for obtaining the blessings of eternal life.
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— [D&C 19:16–18]
Those who do not meet the criteria will be part of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s further prophecy, which follows.