The prophetic anticipation of the Messiah's suffering, specifically His being pierced, is a significant theme in the Old Testament, finding its fulfillment in the New Testament accounts of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. This entry explores the key prophetic scriptures and their fulfillment in the life and death of Jesus.

Old Testament Prophecies

1. Psalm 22:16 · This psalm, attributed to David, is a vivid portrayal of suffering and includes the striking detail of being pierced: "For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet." . This imagery, though not directly linked to any event in David's life, prophetically points to the crucifixion of Christ, where His hands and feet were nailed to the cross.

2. Zechariah 12:10 · The prophet Zechariah delivers a poignant prophecy concerning the piercing of the Messiah: "Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the residents of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on Me, the One they have pierced; they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son." . This prophecy not only foretells the physical act of piercing but also the deep mourning and recognition of the Messiah by His people.

New Testament Fulfillment

1. John 19:34-37 · The Gospel of John provides a direct fulfillment of these prophecies during the crucifixion of Jesus. After Jesus' death, a Roman soldier pierced His side with a spear, fulfilling the prophetic word: "Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out... These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: 'Not one of His bones will be broken,' and, as another Scripture says, 'They will look on the One they have pierced.'" . John's account explicitly connects the act of piercing with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

2. Revelation 1:7 · The Book of Revelation echoes the prophecy of Zechariah, emphasizing the eschatological significance of Christ's piercing: "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen." . This passage underscores the universal recognition and mourning that will accompany Christ's return, linking back to the prophetic vision of Zechariah.

Theological Significance

The piercing of Christ holds profound theological significance within Christian doctrine. It serves as a testament to the fulfillment of prophecy, affirming the divine inspiration and coherence of Scripture. Moreover, it highlights the sacrificial nature of Christ's atonement, as His physical suffering and death were necessary for the redemption of humanity. The piercing, therefore, is not merely a historical detail but a pivotal element in the narrative of salvation, demonstrating the depth of God's love and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.Zechariah 12:10
And I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look on me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of ...
... definite and distinct were the Old Testament prophecies respecting the Birth of
Christ, that the ... call attention to one of the prophecies which declared ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter five the fulfilled prophecies.htm

Whosoever Confesses that one God is the Author of Both Testaments ...
... that the prophets have declared respecting Christ and the ... also judge those who describe
Christ as [having ... wicked spirit, pretend to utter prophecies, while all ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii whosoever confesses that one.htm

Christ
... fulfils the types, the symbols and the prophecies of the ... not one self-respecting,
authoritative lip has uttered a ... of it, "and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" he who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm

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 Opinions
... house of Elias, whose tradition respecting the millennium ... not that those very clear
prophecies of events ... just after its commencement, "Jesus Christ, the first ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the opinions.htm

The Song of the Redeemed
... that, unless you love the Lord Jesus Christ, you must ... is a comfort to think that
His mercy, in ... expressed my belief, that many prophecies, respecting the spread ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlviii the song of.htm

On Turning the First Page of the Review which Follows...
... Doctor of Divinity, having reduced the prophecies "capable of ... the nature of his own
delusion respecting Prophecy. ... a Minister of the Gospel of Christ can speak ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/ii on turning the first.htm

The Declensions of Christianity, an Argument of Its Truth.
... infidelity are the subject of his prophecies""There shall ... Respecting arts and sciences,
mankind may never have ... There we shall see Christ's glory, though we ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon iv the declensions of.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

The First Part
... exhibited as on a stage, and afterwards of the prophecies in succession ... Thus far
respecting the throne ... because the Apocalypse was not yet given to Christ by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the first part .htm

How can we trust that biblical prophecy can indeed predict the future? | GotQuestions.org

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Surviving the end times - what do I need to know? | GotQuestions.org

Prophecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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