What Old Testament prophecies connect to the events in John 12:18? Setting the Scene: John 12:18 “That was also why the crowd went out to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign.” The “sign” was the raising of Lazarus (John 11). Word of that miracle ignited messianic expectation, compelling a multitude to welcome Jesus as He entered Jerusalem. Their enthusiasm did not appear out of nowhere—it was stirred by Old Testament promises that an anointed King would come with power over death and be publicly acclaimed. Prophecy 1: The Royal Entrance Foretold (Zechariah 9:9) • “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” • John explicitly connects this prophecy to the Triumphal Entry (John 12:14-15). • Crowd excitement in v. 18 flows out of recognition that Jesus’ donkey-mounted approach matches Zechariah’s picture of Israel’s promised King. Prophecy 2: The Hosanna Psalm (Psalm 118:25-26) • “O LORD, save us, we pray! (Hebrew: Hosanna) … Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.” • The shouts recorded in John 12:13 echo these lines verbatim. • Psalm 118 is a messianic victory psalm sung by pilgrims at Passover; its fulfillment heightens the crowd’s eagerness in v. 18. Prophecy 3: Messiah’s Works of Resurrection and Life (Isaiah 26:19; 35:5-6) • Isaiah 26:19 — “Your dead will live; their bodies will rise.” • Isaiah 35:5-6 — “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened … the lame will leap like a deer.” • The raising of Lazarus fits Isaiah’s picture of the coming One reversing death and brokenness. Hearing of that sign convinced the crowd that Isaiah’s day had dawned. Prophecy 4: A Sign That Conquers Death (Hosea 13:14) “I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?” • Lazarus’ resurrection previews Hosea’s promise of death’s defeat, pointing forward to Jesus’ own resurrection. • The crowd’s draw in John 12:18 reflects an instinctive recognition that the One who disarms the grave must be the Redeemer foretold. Prophecy 5: Nations (and Crowds) Streaming to the King (Isaiah 2:2-3) • “All nations will stream to it … and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD.’” • Passover pilgrims from across the Jewish world converge on Jerusalem and rush out to meet Jesus. Their movement previews the global gathering Isaiah envisioned around the Messiah. Links to Other Foreshadows • Ezekiel 37:1-14 (The valley of dry bones) — resurrection imagery paralleling Lazarus. • Daniel 12:2 — promise of bodily resurrection, again echoed by the sign that stirred the crowd. • 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — covenant promise of an everlasting Davidic throne, underlying the people’s royal expectations. Putting It All Together John 12:18 captures a prophetic crescendo. • Zechariah predicted the manner of the King’s arrival. • Psalm 118 supplied the words of acclamation. • Isaiah, Hosea, Ezekiel, and Daniel foretold the life-giving miracles that would authenticate the Messiah. • Isaiah 2 foresaw the magnetism drawing the nations—and here the Passover throng begins that movement. The crowd sensed that centuries of prophecy were converging in a single moment: a King who rides a donkey, raises the dead, and calls forth jubilant praise. Old Testament promises were not abstract predictions; they sprang to life in Jesus, prompting the people to stream out and meet the One who had just given life back to Lazarus and was about to give eternal life to all who believe. |
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