The concept of the Jews seeking their King, Christ, is deeply rooted in biblical prophecy and the anticipation of the Messiah. This expectation is woven throughout the Old and New Testaments, reflecting a hope for redemption and restoration under the reign of the promised King.

Old Testament Prophecies

The anticipation of a Messianic King is a central theme in the Hebrew Scriptures. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a future ruler from the line of David who will establish justice and righteousness. Isaiah 9:6-7 declares, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore."

Jeremiah also prophesies about this coming King, stating in Jeremiah 23:5-6 , "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as king and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness."

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of these Messianic prophecies. The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes Jesus' royal lineage, tracing His genealogy back to David (Matthew 1:1-17). Throughout His ministry, Jesus is recognized as the King of the Jews, a title that culminates in His crucifixion, where the inscription above His head reads, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews" (Matthew 27:37).

In the Gospel of John, Jesus acknowledges His kingship during His trial before Pilate. John 18:36-37 records, "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.' 'Then You are a king?' Pilate said. 'You say that I am a king,' Jesus answered. 'For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.'"

The Jews Seeking Their King

The expectation that the Jews will seek their King, Christ, is echoed in the prophetic literature and the teachings of the apostles. Zechariah 12:10 foretells a time of recognition and repentance: "Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the residents of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and 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."

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, speaks of a future time when Israel will turn to Christ. Romans 11:25-26 states, "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove godlessness from Jacob.'"

Theological Implications

The seeking of Christ by the Jews is seen as part of God's redemptive plan for humanity. It underscores the continuity of God's covenant promises and the ultimate fulfillment of His plan for Israel and the nations. The expectation of the Jews turning to Christ is not only a fulfillment of prophecy but also a testament to the faithfulness of God in bringing His purposes to completion.Hosea 3:5
Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Things Pertaining to the Gospel of Christ which Hosea and ...
... 1156] Who does not see that the Jews are now ... their God, and David their king, and
shall be amazed ... by David, as distinguished by the title of king, Christ is to ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 28 of the things pertaining.htm

Whether it was Becoming that the Magi Should Come to Adore Christ ...
... Jerusalem, to seek in the royal city the new-born King, in order that Christ's birth
might ... Magi who came from afar, the indolence of the Jews who lived ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was becoming that.htm

Of the Prophecy of the Three Prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and ...
... O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King shall come unto ... desire," just means that
even the Jews, according to ... which they read, shall seek and desire Christ. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 35 of the prophecy of.htm

The Incarnation and Birth of Christ
... In a little while you shall see Christ come again, to be ... but even as natural Israel,
for the Jews shall be restored ... he who at his birth was hailed king of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the incarnation and birth of.htm

Of the Prophecies of the Birth and Achievements of Christ.
... adds), "in opposition," moreover, "to the king of the ... fulfil the prophets," [1300]
called so to the Jews. ... we have set down, teaching that Christ was announced ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter ix of the prophecies of.htm

Concerning the Passion of Christ, and Its Old Testament ...
... But the novel "King of ages," Christ Jesus, alone reared "on His ... as it does the whole
passion of Christ; singing, as ... nor any of the kings of the Jews: that you ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter x concerning the passion of.htm

Refutation of the Jews
... 57] So if there is still king or prophet or vision among the Jews, they do well
to deny that Christ is come; but if there is neither king nor vision ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 6 refutation of the.htm

Psalm XLVII.
... said to the sons of Korah, "O clap your hands, all ye nations." For that God known
in Judah, is King of all ... For even Christ seen, the Jews despised; unseen ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlvii.htm

Isaiah's Prophecies Considered the virginity of Christ's Mother a ...
... as it is easy enough to see, [3278] they believed in Christ. ... then revolted from God
from the days of king Jeroboam ... He calls the chief men of the Jews "rulers of ...
/.../chapter xiii isaiahs prophecies considered the.htm

Gentiles Seeking Christ.
... becomes a power to draw all men, Jews and Gentiles ... We have heard out of the law that
Christ abideth forever. ... They had cried, "Hosanna to the King of Israel who ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/gentiles seeking christ.htm

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