The rejection of Jesus Christ by the Jewish rulers is a significant theme in biblical prophecy and its fulfillment is a pivotal event in the New Testament narrative. This rejection was foretold by the prophets and is seen as a fulfillment of divine prophecy, underscoring the messianic role of Jesus and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Prophetic Foundations

The Old Testament contains several prophecies that allude to the Messiah being rejected by His own people, particularly the leaders of Israel. One of the most poignant is found in the book of Isaiah:

· 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, part of the Suffering Servant songs, vividly portrays the Messiah as one who would suffer rejection and scorn, not only from the general populace but also from those in positions of authority.

Another significant prophecy is found in the Psalms:

· Psalm 118:22: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."

This verse metaphorically describes the Messiah as a stone rejected by the builders, symbolizing the leaders of Israel, yet ultimately becoming the cornerstone, indicating His essential role in God's plan.

Fulfillment in the New Testament

The New Testament writers, particularly the Gospel authors, emphasize the fulfillment of these prophecies through the narrative of Jesus' life and ministry. The rejection by the Jewish rulers is a recurring theme, highlighted in several key passages:

· John 1:11: "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him."

This verse succinctly captures the essence of Jesus' rejection by the Jewish leaders and people, despite His clear messianic mission and fulfillment of prophecy.

· 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 directly quotes Psalm 118:22, applying it to Himself and His rejection by the religious authorities. This declaration occurs during a confrontation with the chief priests and Pharisees, who were plotting against Him.

· Mark 8:31: "He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again."

Jesus explicitly predicts His rejection by the Jewish leaders, aligning His fate with the prophetic words of Isaiah and the Psalms. This prediction underscores the necessity of His suffering and rejection as part of God's salvific plan.

· Acts 4:11: "This Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.'"

In the early church, the apostles continued to affirm the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus' rejection. Peter, speaking before the Sanhedrin, reiterates the prophetic significance of Jesus as the cornerstone, despite being rejected by the Jewish leaders.

Theological Implications

The rejection of Christ by the Jewish rulers is not merely a historical event but carries profound theological implications. It highlights the tension between human expectations of the Messiah and the divine purpose revealed through Jesus. The rejection serves as a testament to the fulfillment of God's word and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through Christ's death and resurrection. This theme of rejection and ultimate vindication is central to understanding the messianic mission of Jesus and the establishment of the New Covenant.Matthew 21:42
Jesus said to them, Did you never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 7:48
Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Remaining Books of the Old Testament.
... Such is the wonderful prophecy of Moses respecting the history ... is preeminently in
Christ that the prophecies of the ... by the writer's relation to Christ, so was ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xi remaining books of.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... to become absorbed in calculations beforehand respecting its dates is ... of these psalms
in Christ; and his ... in the interpretation of those prophecies which relate ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... by the Jews, unless their erroneous ideas respecting the Messiah ... had only to show,
that the prophecies, which he ... of mankind by his Son Jesus Christ, who was ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.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 ... chief work, the "Imitation of Christ's life of ...
/.../introductory notice respecting taulers life.htm

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

Subject Index
... Isaiah, his prophecy respecting the virgin conceiving, vindicated against ... but Simon
of Cyrene in His stead, [1306 ... and Christ, proved from the writings of Paul ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... as more appropriately pertaining to other prophecies, the defence ... It is that respecting
which they inquired, as ... TIMOTHY that the Lord JESUS CHRIST will judge ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died ... sinners, I am to infer His wishes
respecting ourselves ... And this is why Lazarus after his resurrection is [4827 ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.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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