What Old Testament prophecies connect to the events in John 19:20? Connecting Old Testament Prophecies to John 19:20 John 19:20: “Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.” The Inscription Proclaims the Promised King • Psalm 2:6-8 – “I have installed My King on Zion… Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance.” • Isaiah 9:6-7 – “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end… on the throne of David.” • Zechariah 9:9 – “See, your King comes to you; righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey.” The placard over Jesus openly identifies Him as “King of the Jews,” matching the Old Testament promise of a Davidic, world-ruling King. Written in Three Languages – A Preview of Global Salvation • Isaiah 49:6 – “I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” • Isaiah 52:10 – “All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.” • Psalm 22:27-28 – “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD… for kingship belongs to the LORD.” The trilingual sign (Hebrew for the Jews, Latin for Rome, Greek for the wider Gentile world) pictures the gospel going out to every tongue. Many Saw Him – Foretold Public Gaze on the Suffering Messiah • Psalm 22:7 – “All who see Me mock Me; they sneer and shake their heads.” • Psalm 22:17 – “They look, they stare at Me.” • Zechariah 12:10 – “They will look on Me, the One they have pierced.” Crucified just outside a busy gate, Jesus is displayed before throngs of Passover pilgrims, exactly as the Psalms and Zechariah predicted. Near the City, Hung on a Tree – Curse Turned to Blessing • Deuteronomy 21:22-23 – “Anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse.” Jesus, executed “near the city,” bears the covenant curse yet fulfills the promise that the cursed One would bring blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:13-14). Summary Snapshot John 19:20 gathers multiple prophetic threads: • The Messiah publicly declared King. • Salvation broadcast in every major language group of the day. • Crowds fulfilling predictions of staring, mocking, and ultimately looking in faith. • The cursed tree outside the city becoming the means by which worldwide blessing flows—just as Scripture said. |
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