Topical Encyclopedia
The prophetic scriptures of the Old Testament contain numerous references to the sufferings of the Messiah, which were to be endured not for His own sake, but for the sake of others. These prophecies find their fulfillment in the New Testament accounts of Jesus Christ's life, particularly in His passion and crucifixion. The fulfillment of these prophecies underscores the redemptive purpose of Christ's sufferings, as He bore the sins of humanity.
Isaiah 53:4-6 The prophet Isaiah provides one of the most vivid and detailed prophecies concerning the suffering servant.
Isaiah 53:4-6 states: "Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all." This passage clearly articulates the vicarious nature of the Messiah's sufferings, emphasizing that He would bear the sins and sorrows of others.
Psalm 22:1, 16-18 Psalm 22, attributed to King David, is another significant prophetic text. It begins with the words, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" (
Psalm 22:1), which Jesus Himself quoted on the cross (
Matthew 27:46). Verses 16-18 describe the piercing of hands and feet and the casting of lots for His garments, events that were fulfilled during the crucifixion as recorded in the Gospels (
John 19:23-24).
Zechariah 12:10 The prophet Zechariah foretold the piercing of the Messiah, stating, "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" (
Zechariah 12:10). This prophecy is echoed in the New Testament, particularly in
John 19:37 , which confirms its fulfillment in the crucifixion of Jesus.
Daniel 9:26 Daniel's prophecy of the "Anointed One" being "cut off" (
Daniel 9:26) speaks to the sacrificial death of the Messiah. This prophecy aligns with the New Testament narrative of Jesus' death, which was not for His own sins but for the transgressions of others.
New Testament Fulfillment The New Testament writers consistently affirm that Jesus' sufferings were in fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies. In
1 Peter 2:24 , it is written, "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His stripes you are healed." This passage directly references Isaiah's prophecy and confirms its fulfillment in Christ's atoning work.
Romans 5:6-8 The Apostle Paul further elucidates the purpose of Christ's sufferings in
Romans 5:6-8 : "For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This passage highlights the substitutionary nature of Christ's death, fulfilling the prophetic vision of a suffering servant who would bear the sins of many.
The prophetic scriptures and their fulfillment in the New Testament reveal the profound truth that Christ's sufferings were not for His own sake but were borne on behalf of humanity, fulfilling the divine plan of redemption.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 20:28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Declensions of Christianity, an Argument of Its Truth. .
... of the powers of darkness against his people, after ... before and at the time of Christ's
coming to ... take a general view of the prophecies respecting the moral ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon iii the declensions of.htm
Against Heresies
... Their views as to the prophecies. ... as to their own origin: their opinions respecting
the Demiurge ... The Decalogue, however, was not cancelled by Christ, but is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/
Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... the Jews, unless their erroneous ideas respecting the Messiah ... had only to show, that
the prophecies, which he ... affirmed that Jesus was the Christ, they turned ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.htm
Quotations from the Old Testament in the New.
... Respecting this class of quotations, it is only ... 6. Of the prophecies quoted, some
refer immediately to ... was confirmed for ever through Christ; and Solomon's ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxix quotations from the.htm
The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
... that he could form no conjecture respecting the person ... We should reflect, that
prophecies, which are perfectly ... to him the character and the religion of Christ. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xi the conversion of.htm
Subject Index
... Isaiah, his prophecy respecting the virgin conceiving, vindicated ... neither Christ
nor Saviour, but the Holy Spirit descended upon Him at His baptism, [1313]444. ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.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 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 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
Interpretation of Prophecy.
... to become absorbed in calculations beforehand respecting its dates ... interpreted, contain
no such prophecies, then, when ... in his office a type of Christ, God had ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm
Resources
Were Jacob's prophecies about his sons fulfilled? | GotQuestions.orgWhen were Obadiah's prophecies against Edom fulfilled (Obadiah 1:18-20)? | GotQuestions.orgWhere do the Hebrew Scriptures prophesy the death and resurrection of the Messiah? | GotQuestions.orgProphecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
