How does Psalm 22:13 relate to the prophecy of Jesus' crucifixion? Text of Psalm 22:13 “They open their mouths against me like lions, roaring and tearing prey.” Original Hebrew and Lexical Insights Transliteration: Pā·ṣū ‘ā·lai pi·hem, ’aryēh ṭō·rēp wᵉ·šō·’ēg. • פצו (“open wide”) – a violent gaping, used of jaws ready to devour (cf. Job 16:10). • אריה טורף (“lion tearing”) – the predatory image combines physical rending with psychological intimidation. • שׁאג (“roar”) – an onomatopoetic verb evoking the echoing roar of a hunting lion (Ezekiel 22:25). Immediate Literary Setting in Psalm 22 Verses 7-18 form a tightly woven lament describing: – Verbal mockery (vv.7-8) – Physical weakening (vv.14-15) – Piercing of hands and feet (v.16) – Division of garments (v.18) Verse 13 is the hinge between scorn (vv.7-12) and bodily assault (vv.14-18), portraying enemies who first wound with words, then, like lions, close in for the kill. Messianic Character of Psalm 22 1. Davidic authorship (superscription) locates the psalm c. 1000 BC. 2. Dead Sea Scrolls 4QPsq and 11QPsᵃ (1 cent. BC) contain the verse virtually identical to the Masoretic Text, confirming its pre-Christian provenance. 3. Early rabbinic sources (e.g., Midrash Tehillim 22) recognize messianic dimensions, though incompletely. 4. Jesus applies the psalm to Himself by citing v.1 on the cross (Matthew 27:46), inviting hearers to read the entire context. Lion Imagery and Crucifixion Mockery a) Physical Surroundings • Roman crucifixion sites were public; passers-by “wagged their heads” (Matthew 27:39-40) exactly as v.7 describes. The roaring of crowds, soldiers, and chief priests parallels “roaring and tearing.” b) Psychological Assault • The open mouths depict continuous ridicule (Luke 23:35-36). Ancient observers (Seneca, Dial. 3.3; Josephus, War 2.13.4) record jeering as integral to executions. c) Spiritual Dimension • 1 Peter 5:8 calls Satan “a roaring lion,” highlighting the unseen adversary energizing the crowd (cf. John 13:27). Correlation With Gospel Accounts Psalm 22:13 " Gospel Fulfillment “open their mouths” " Matthew 27:39; Mark 15:29 “blasphemed Him” “like lions” " John 19:6 “Crucify!” repeated roar of the mob “tearing prey” " Matthew 27:26 scourging; John 19:34 spear-thrust The psalmic description is thus not vague but photographically precise in its convergence with multiple independent Gospel witnesses. Comparative Ancient Near-Eastern Motif In Ugaritic and Akkadian texts, lions symbolize rulers’ destructive power (KTU 1.3; ANET p.260). David adopts that imagery to depict unjust authorities; the Gospels then show Roman and Jewish leaders acting the part. Septuagint Witness LXX: “ἤνοιξαν ἐπ᾿ ἐμὲ τὸ στόμα αὐτῶν, ὡς λέων ἁρπάζων καὶ ὠρυόμενος.” The 3rd-century-BC Greek wording mirrors the Hebrew, proving the phrase’s antiquity and forestalling claims of Christian tampering. Archaeological Corroboration of Crucifixion Brutality – Giv’at Ha-Mivtar (1968): heel bone of Yehohanan with nail still embedded validates Gospel-level cruelty and tearing of flesh. – Alexamenos Graffito (c. AD 125): depicts a crucified figure mocked — early external evidence of jeering culture surrounding crucifixion. Early Christian Testimony Justin Martyr (Dial. 103) quotes Psalm 22 to Jews: “For they opened their mouth against Him as a roaring lion.” Tertullian (Adv. Judaeos 10) traces mockery-fulfillment line-by-line, demonstrating the verse’s apologetic utility within two generations of the apostles. Theological Implications 1. Substitutionary suffering: predators target a single victim, echoing Isaiah 53:7 “a lamb… led to slaughter.” 2. Totality of dereliction: external (physical), internal (emotional), and cosmic (spiritual) hostilities converge on Christ, satisfying divine justice (2 Corinthians 5:21). 3. Encouragement for believers: Hebrews 2:12 cites Psalm 22, assuring the redeemed that the Lion of Judah has overcome the roaring lions of Psalm 22:13. Pastoral Application When believers face slander or persecution, Psalm 22:13 reminds them that Christ endured—and triumphed over—far worse. Prayerfully reciting the psalm aligns present suffering with the Savior’s path to resurrection glory. Summary Psalm 22:13 prophetically sketches the verbal savagery and predatory hostility that engulfed Jesus during His crucifixion. Preserved unchanged across millennia, corroborated by archaeology and recorded by multiple Gospel authors, the verse stands as one more precise brushstroke in Scripture’s unified portrait of the crucified and risen Messiah. |
    |