Topical Encyclopedia
The prophetic scriptures of the Old Testament contain numerous references to the Messiah, foretelling various aspects of His life and ministry. Among these prophecies is the prediction that the Messiah would be rejected and hated by His own people, the Jews. This theme is woven throughout the prophetic writings and finds its fulfillment in the New Testament accounts of Jesus Christ.
Old Testament Prophecies1.
Psalm 69:4 · "Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me, my enemies for no reason." This psalm, attributed to David, is often seen as a messianic prophecy, reflecting the unjust hatred and opposition that the Messiah would face.
2.
Isaiah 53:3 · "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not." Isaiah's prophecy vividly describes the suffering servant, who would be rejected by His own people, highlighting the deep sorrow and rejection that the Messiah would endure.
3.
Psalm 118:22 · "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This verse is interpreted as a prophecy concerning the Messiah, who, though rejected by the leaders of Israel, would become the foundation of God's redemptive plan.
New Testament Fulfillment1.
John 1:11 · "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him." The Apostle John succinctly captures the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, noting that Jesus, the Messiah, was not accepted by the Jewish people.
2.
John 15:24-25 · "If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’" Jesus Himself references the prophecy from
Psalm 69, acknowledging the baseless hatred directed towards Him.
3.
Matthew 21:42 · "Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the Scriptures: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes"?'” Here, Jesus applies
Psalm 118:22 to Himself, indicating that despite His rejection by the Jewish leaders, He is central to God's salvific work.
4.
Acts 4:11 · "This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’" Peter, addressing the Sanhedrin, reiterates the fulfillment of the prophecy, emphasizing the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish authorities and His exaltation by God.
Context and ImplicationsThe rejection of the Messiah by the Jewish people is a significant theme in the biblical narrative, underscoring the paradox of the promised Savior being despised by those He came to save. This rejection is not only a fulfillment of prophecy but also a pivotal moment in redemptive history, leading to the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles. The prophetic foresight of this rejection serves to authenticate the messianic identity of Jesus and highlights the sovereignty of God in the unfolding of His divine plan.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 69:4They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head: they that would destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.
Torrey's Topical TextbookIsaiah 49:7
Thus said the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despises, to him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Translated from the Greek.
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emotions ... now to enumerate the most ancient prophecies respecting each future ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm
It is a Ground for Thanksgiving that During the Last Three or Four ...
... Doubtless, there are many particulars respecting this and all ... have to separate between
those prophecies which concern ... is posing as the true Christ, and those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/it is a ground for.htm
The Gospels in General
... clear teaching contained in this Gospel respecting the divinity ... each one portraying
the life of Christ in his ... It is filled with prophecies that await fulfilment ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospels in general.htm
The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... raise an argument at this point respecting the believer's ... accurate and literal
fulfilment of these prophecies we have ... Just as the Jews of Christ's day despised ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm
The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... performed by him, and the prophecies fulfilled in ... is pregnant with the deepest meaning
respecting the counsel ... delusion upon the disciples of Christ, who were ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm
Extracts No. vii.
... in my power, to alter one truth respecting eternity ... presuming if these be admitted,
the prophecies will not ... author, though a bitter enemy to Christ, allows his ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vii.htm
The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... are foolish, so our own language respecting him is ... Spirit is the true Jehovah who
dictated the prophecies. ... For ever since Christ was manifested in the flesh he ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm
Introductory Notice Respecting Tauler's Life and Times
... prove that the numerous legends and prophecies current in ... All that we can discover
respecting the commencement of ... too, in his Sermon on Christ's stilling the ...
/.../introductory notice respecting taulers life.htm
Acts i. 12
... spake before." Always he comforts them by the prophecies. ... also dwells upon the
circumstances respecting Judas, showing ... care for the flocks of Christ, as Jacob ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily iii acts i 12.htm
The Sibylline Oracles.
... This concludes the oracular utterances respecting Rome ... After some other prophecies
we come to the mention of ... In Christ's hands extended on the cross the writer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm
Resources
How can I identify messianic prophecies in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgHow many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.orgWhat biblical prophecies were fulfilled in AD 70? | GotQuestions.orgProphecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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