The prophecy concerning the Messiah's flesh not seeing corruption is a significant aspect of the messianic expectations found in the Hebrew Scriptures and is fulfilled in the New Testament through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This prophecy is rooted in the Psalms and is explicitly referenced in the apostolic preaching of the early church.

Old Testament Prophecy

The primary Old Testament reference to this prophecy is found in Psalm 16:10, where David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declares: "For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay." This verse is understood to transcend David's own experience, pointing instead to the Messiah, who would not undergo the natural process of bodily decay after death.

New Testament Fulfillment

The fulfillment of this prophecy is articulated in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts. The Apostle Peter, in his sermon on the day of Pentecost, cites Psalm 16:10 to demonstrate that Jesus' resurrection was foretold by David. In Acts 2:27, Peter quotes, "because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay." He explains that David, having died and been buried, could not have been speaking of himself, but rather of the Christ, whom God raised from the dead, thus ensuring that His body did not experience corruption (Acts 2:29-31).

Similarly, the Apostle Paul, in his address at the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, reiterates this fulfillment. In Acts 13:35-37, Paul states, "So also, He says in another Psalm: 'You will not let Your Holy One see decay.' For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw decay. But the One whom God raised from the dead did not see decay." Paul emphasizes that Jesus' resurrection is the divine confirmation of His messianic identity and the fulfillment of the prophetic word.

Theological Significance

The prophecy and its fulfillment underscore the divine nature and mission of Jesus Christ. The fact that His body did not undergo corruption is a testament to His victory over death and His role as the Holy One of God. This event is central to Christian faith, affirming the hope of resurrection and eternal life for believers. The resurrection of Christ is not merely a return to earthly life but a transformation into a glorified state, prefiguring the resurrection that awaits all who are in Him.

In summary, the prophecy that the Messiah's flesh would not see corruption finds its fulfillment in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as attested by the apostolic witness in the New Testament. This fulfillment is a cornerstone of Christian doctrine, affirming the truth of Scripture and the power of God in raising Jesus from the dead.Acts 2:31
He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Subject Index
... the history of symbolical, [1290]492. Isaiah, his prophecy respecting the virgin ...
Israel. Christ is King of, [1292]267. applied to Christ, [1293]262. ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... to become absorbed in calculations beforehand respecting its dates ... Christ as the
chief subject of the prophecies. ... spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

Interpretation of Holy Scripture. --Inspired Interpretation. --The ...
... the very silence of Scripture respecting Melchizedek's death ... Esau's posterity and
Balaam's prophecies,"the Cloud ... chief transactions in the Kingdom of Christ? ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon v interpretation of holy.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

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 ... of flesh and time:" (p.88:) that Christ is "the ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/ii on turning the first.htm

Introductory Notice Respecting Tauler's Life and Times
... to prove that the numerous legends and prophecies current in ... that have come down
to us respecting him, concur ... through him and others the name of Christ will be ...
/.../introductory notice respecting taulers life.htm

Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Even as Your Father which is in Heaven is ...
... time." The whole tenor of scripture respecting the Holy ... holy, all the promises, all
the prophecies, all the ... things hoped for, takes hold of Christ and brings ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be ye therefore perfect even.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... the makers of the world, pronounced their prophecies; for which ... twenty-third book
of the Exegetics, respecting those that ... he it is who is called Christ, to set ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... This concludes the oracular utterances respecting Rome ... After some other prophecies
we come to the mention of ... He calls Christ (ver.345) "the fair stone," against ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... to these or like conclusions respecting it, the ... already the vast majority of the
prophecies are acknowledged ... and the bodily sufferings of Christ enhanced above ...
/.../essays and reviews the education of the world/bunsens biblical researches.htm

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

Was Nostradamus a true prophet of God? | GotQuestions.org

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

Prophecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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