The theme of Christ being rejected by His own people is a significant aspect of biblical prophecy and is fulfilled in the New Testament narrative. This rejection is foretold in the Old Testament and is realized in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospels.

Old Testament Prophecies

1. Psalm 69:8 · "I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons." This psalm, attributed to David, is often seen as a messianic prophecy, reflecting the alienation and rejection that the Messiah would experience from His own kin.

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." This passage from the "Suffering Servant" section of Isaiah vividly portrays the rejection and suffering that the Messiah would endure, highlighting the lack of esteem and acceptance from His own people.

3. Zechariah 13:7 · "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My companion," declares the LORD of Hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones." This prophecy speaks to the betrayal and abandonment that the Messiah would face, even from those closest to Him.

New Testament Fulfillment

1. John 1:11 · "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him." The Apostle John succinctly captures the essence of Christ's rejection by His own people, the Israelites, who failed to recognize Him as the promised Messiah.

2. Mark 6:4 · "Then Jesus told them, 'A prophet is without honor only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household.'" This statement by Jesus reflects the fulfillment of the prophetic theme of rejection, as He faced disbelief and scorn from those in His own community and family.

3. Matthew 21:42 · Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" Here, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23, applying it to Himself and indicating that despite His rejection, He would become the cornerstone of God's redemptive plan.

4. Acts 4:11 · "This Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.'" Peter, addressing the Sanhedrin, reaffirms the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the rejection of Christ, emphasizing His pivotal role in salvation history despite the initial rejection by His people.

Significance in Christian Theology

The rejection of Christ by His brethren is a profound element of the messianic prophecies, underscoring the paradox of the Messiah's coming. Despite being the long-awaited Savior, He was not recognized or accepted by many of His own people. This rejection serves to highlight the broader scope of Christ's mission, extending beyond Israel to encompass all of humanity. The fulfillment of these prophecies affirms the divine plan and purpose in the life and work of Jesus Christ, as foretold by the prophets and realized in the New Testament narrative.Psalm 69:8
I am become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother's children.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 63:3
I have trodden the wine press alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in my anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled on my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
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

The Five Books Against Marcion
... Prophecies in Isaiah and the Psalms Respecting Christ's Humiliation ... Chapter
XIX.--Prophecies of the Death of Christ ... All Proofs of Christ's Relation to the Creator ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/the five books against marcion/

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

Paul in Malta and Rome.
... decrees of God are determinations respecting certain ends ... who had considered the
prophecies with more ... this illustrious servant of Jesus Christ, whose exertions ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxix paul in malta.htm

The Council of Jerusalem.
... you the original passage in the prophecies of Amos. ... Psalmist, "the heathen were given
to Christ for his ... throw no light upon the question respecting its duration ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvi the council 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

Quotations from the Old Testament in the New.
... Respecting this class of quotations, it is only necessary to remark that the ... more
numerous are the passages which are cited as prophecies of Christ and his ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxix quotations from the.htm

John Chapter ii. 11-Jan
... Prophecies are fulfilled, the water-pots are full; but ... time permits, mention certain
facts respecting the several ... Christ was represented also in Noah and in ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate ix john chapter ii.htm

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... Of those prophecies they adopted a literal interpretation ... Jews, unless their erroneous
ideas respecting the Messiah ... opening and alleging, that Christ must needs ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... performed by him, and the prophecies fulfilled in ... pregnant with the deepest meaning
respecting the counsel ... Christ represents himself, moreover, as being not of ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

How can I identify messianic prophecies in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

How many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.org

What biblical prophecies were fulfilled in AD 70? | GotQuestions.org

Prophecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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