Hope For The Nations, Lesson 9, Fall 2006

  • The Old Testament Law and Prophets focused on Jesus’ death (Luke 9:30-31; 24:25-27,44)
  • Hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, the prophets wrote of a Messiah:
    • being betrayed (Psalm 41:9; John 13:18-19,21) 
    • for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:14-19), 
    • throwing this silver into the temple (Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:5), 
    • giving this silver to a potter (Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:7), 
    • having his disciples forsake Him (Zechariah 13:7; Mark 14:50; Matthew 26:31), 
    • being accused by false witnesses (Psalm 35:11; Matthew 26:31), 
    • being smitten and spit upon (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67),
    • being hated without a cause (Psalm 69:4; John 15:18-25), 
    • having his friends stand far away during his time of need (Psalm 38:11),
    • suffering thirst (Psalm 69:21b; John 19:28),
    • being offered gall and vinegar (Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:34),
    • committing his spirit to God (Psalm 31:5; Luke 23:46),
    • having his bones preserved (Exodus 12:46; Psalm 22:17; 34:20; John 19:33),
    • being pierced (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34), 
    • having the sun go down at noon (Amos 8:9; Matthew 27:45),
    • and practically every other aspect relating to His death.
  • The prophet Isaiah outlines Christ’s suffering in an entire chapter (written around 700 B.C.):

Isaiah 53:

  • 2 – the Messiah would be disfigured by suffering (see Mark 15:17-19)
  • 3 – He would be rejected by his own people (see John 7:5,48)
  • 4-6 – He would bear our sins and sorrows (see Romans 4:25; 1 Peter 2:24)
  • 5 – He would be physically wounded and bruised (see Matthew 27:26)
  • 7 – He would be silent before his accusers (see Matthew 27:12)
  • 8 – He would be a substitute, stricken for transgressions (see 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13)
  • 9 – He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb (see Matthew 27:57-60)
  • 10 – His soul will be made into an offering for sin (see Hebrews 9:11-14)
  • 12 – He would suffer alongside sinners/thieves (see Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27-28)
  • 12 – He would pray on behalf of the sinners/persecutors (see Luke 23:34; Hebrews 9:24; 1 John 2:1)
  • David also writes an entire Psalm prophesying Jesus’ death (written around 1,000 B.C.):

      Psalm 22:

  • 1 – the exact quote of Jesus on the Cross (see Matthew 27:46)
  • 7 – people would shake their heads in ridicule at the Messiah (see Matthew 27:39)
  • 7-8 – He would be mocked (see Matthew 27:29,41-43)
  • 14 – His bones will be out of joint and His heart will be broken (see John 19:34)
  • 16 – His hands and feet would be pierced (see Luke 23:33)
  • 17 – He will be able to count all his bones and people will stare at Him (see Luke 23:35)
  • 18 – His garments would be parted and lots cast for his clothing (see John 19:23-24)