The prophecy concerning Christ being "numbered with the transgressors" is a significant aspect of the Messianic predictions found in the Old Testament, which is fulfilled in the New Testament accounts of Jesus' crucifixion. This prophecy highlights the suffering Messiah's association with sinners, despite His own sinlessness, and underscores the redemptive purpose of His mission.

Old Testament Prophecy

The primary prophecy regarding Christ being numbered with the transgressors is found in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 53 is a profound chapter that describes the Suffering Servant, a figure who bears the sins of many and is subjected to suffering and humiliation. Isaiah 53:12 states: "Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors" .

This passage is part of a larger section that vividly portrays the Servant's role in God's redemptive plan, emphasizing His vicarious suffering and the paradox of His association with sinners despite His righteousness.

New Testament Fulfillment

The fulfillment of this prophecy is explicitly recorded in the New Testament, particularly in the accounts of Jesus' crucifixion. The Gospel of Mark recounts the scene of Jesus' crucifixion, stating: "They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left" (Mark 15:27). This detail is significant as it places Jesus physically among criminals, fulfilling the prophecy of being "numbered with the transgressors."

Furthermore, the Gospel of Luke also references this prophecy. In Luke 22:37, Jesus Himself alludes to Isaiah's prophecy, saying: "For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment" . Here, Jesus acknowledges the necessity of fulfilling the prophetic word, affirming His identity as the Suffering Servant.

Theological Significance

The prophecy and its fulfillment carry profound theological implications. Jesus' identification with transgressors is not merely a matter of physical proximity but signifies His role as the sin-bearer. By being numbered with sinners, Jesus takes upon Himself the sins of humanity, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for atonement. This act of substitutionary atonement is central to Christian theology, emphasizing the depth of God's love and the extent of Christ's humility and obedience.

Moreover, the fulfillment of this prophecy serves as a testament to the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture. The precise fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the life and work of Jesus Christ reinforces the coherence and unity of the biblical narrative, affirming the messianic identity of Jesus as foretold by the prophets.

In summary, the prophecy of Christ being numbered with the transgressors is a crucial element of the Messianic predictions, fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus' crucifixion. It underscores the redemptive mission of Christ, His identification with sinners, and the fulfillment of God's salvific plan as revealed through Scripture.Isaiah 53:12
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul to death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John xix. 16-18
... disciple concerning His mother, fulfilling prophecies, holding forth ... of men imagining
nothing great respecting Him; but ... 2525] when one leaves Christ heir with ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxxv john xix 16-18.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

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... almost be regarded as an epitome of these prophecies. ... that Noah, by "the spirit of
Christ" which was ... We are farther informed respecting Noah's preaching, which ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

[Endnotes]
... Sec.3. See also some singular speculations respecting it in ... was crucified AD31, began
with His public ministry AD ... and the oblation to cease,""as Christ by one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm

part i
... a spiritual being; (2) That there are evil spirits, harming our souls; (3) That
God exists and our Lord Jesus Christ, and that He is always with us through His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

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