How does Mark 15:25 fulfill Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's suffering? Mark 15:25—The Fulfillment Verse “It was the third hour when they crucified Him.” The Third Hour Explained • Jewish days began at sunrise (≈ 6 a.m.). • “The third hour” ≈ 9 a.m.—the exact time the morning sacrifices began in the temple. Foreshadowed in the Daily Tamid Offering • Exodus 29:38-41; Numbers 28:3-4—“One lamb you shall offer in the morning.” • Every morning for fifteen centuries a flawless lamb was laid on the altar at 9 a.m. • Jesus, “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29), is nailed to the cross at the very hour that ritual pointed toward. Parallels with Genesis 22 (The Binding of Isaac) • Genesis 22:3—“Abraham rose early in the morning” to present his son. • Isaac, a type of Christ, walks toward sacrifice in the early morning; Jesus is lifted up at that same morning hour. Echoes of Psalm 22 • Psalm 22:1—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (quoted in Mark 15:34). • Psalm 22:16—“They pierce My hands and My feet.” • The psalm pictures a condemned sufferer surrounded by mockers (Psalm 22:7-8; Mark 15:29-32) beginning in the morning (Psalm 22:2 refers to “daytime”). Isaiah 53 and the Appointed Slaughter • Isaiah 53:7—“He was led like a lamb to slaughter.” • The timing of the slaughter matters; Jesus is “cut off” (Isaiah 53:8) precisely when the lamb was to be slain in the temple court. Prophetic Precision Showcased • Daniel 9:26—Messiah will be “cut off” at an appointed time. • Habakkuk 2:3—“It will certainly come and will not delay.” • Mark 15:25 demonstrates that God’s prophetic clock strikes to the minute. Why the Timing Strengthens Our Faith • Confirms Scripture’s accuracy—Old and New Testaments fit seamlessly. • Underscores Christ’s identity—He is the once-for-all sacrifice every ritual foreshadowed. • Reveals God’s sovereignty—History unfolds exactly as He declared. |
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