How does Matthew 27:35 fulfill Old Testament prophecy about Jesus' crucifixion? Setting the Scene “ When they had crucified Him, they divided His garments among themselves by casting lots.” (Matthew 27:35) Old Testament Foreshadowing Psalm 22:16-18, written a millennium earlier: • “For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.” • “I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me.” • “They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” Point-by-Point Fulfillment • Pierced hands and feet – exactly what crucifixion involved; foretold before crucifixion even existed in Israel’s legal system. • Stripped of clothing – Roman custom was public humiliation; Psalm 22 anticipates the Messiah’s naked vulnerability. • Casting lots – soldiers gambled for the seamless tunic (John 19:23-24), turning David’s poetic line into literal history. • Crowd’s taunts and staring – Psalm 22:7,17 echoed in Matthew 27:39-43 as bystanders mock and “gloat.” Prophecy in Stereo • Zechariah 12:10 – “They will look on Me, the One they have pierced.” • Isaiah 53:12 – “He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.” These passages join Psalm 22 to paint a multi-layered preview, all converging at Golgotha. Why the Details Matter • Underscores God’s sovereignty – every small action (even a dice throw) falls inside His redemptive plan. • Confirms Jesus as the promised Messiah – the odds of one man fulfilling so many minute predictions are staggering. • Demonstrates Scripture’s reliability – prophetic words are not vague; they land on the ground in verifiable history. Living Response Rest in the certainty that God keeps His Word down to the tiniest detail; trust Him with the details of your own life, knowing the One who orchestrated prophecy’s fulfillment at the cross is just as faithful today. |
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