How does Mark 14:21 emphasize the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy? Verse in Focus “The Son of Man will indeed go as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.” (Mark 14:21) What Jesus Signals with “as it is written” - He is anchoring His impending death in Scripture already recorded. - “Written” (Greek: gegraptai) points to settled, unchangeable prophecy rather than vague prediction. - By using the present tense, Jesus treats ancient passages as living, active words still guiding history. Old Testament Threads Woven into This Moment • Betrayal Foretold – “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” (Psalm 41:9) – Zechariah 11:12-13 anticipates thirty pieces of silver and the potter’s field—events tied directly to Judas (cf. Matthew 27:3-10). • Suffering Servant Pattern – Isaiah 53:3-7 outlines the rejection, substitutionary suffering, and willing silence of the Servant—all converging at the cross. – Isaiah 53:10 affirms God’s deliberate plan: “Yet it pleased the LORD to crush Him.” Jesus’ words echo that divine design. • “Son of Man” Expectation – Daniel 7:13-14 presents the Son of Man receiving dominion. Mark 14 shows that glory arrives through suffering first, exactly as Scripture hints (cf. Psalm 22:16-18). Divine Plan Meets Human Choice - God sovereignly ordained the Messiah’s path (“will indeed go”). - Judas remains fully accountable (“woe to that man”). - Scripture often pairs these truths: Acts 2:23 notes Jesus was “delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you—by the hands of lawless men—put Him to death.” Certainty and Urgency of Fulfillment - Every prophetic line concerning Messiah’s betrayal, suffering, and death is marching toward precise fulfillment. - Jesus’ statement confirms the absolute reliability of the written Word—prophecy is history written in advance. Takeaways for Today • Trust the Scriptures: prophecy fulfilled in Christ validates every promise still ahead. • Marvel at God’s sovereignty: He orchestrates redemption without violating human responsibility. • Cling to the Savior: the same Lord who went “as it is written” now reigns and will keep all He has said. |
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