What Old Testament Prophecies Predicted Jesus and the Cross?
The entire Bible refers to Jesus Christ. Although Jesus is more apparent in the New Testament, the Old Testament is also ultimately about him (Luke 24:27).
It is estimated that there are hundreds of prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament, including passages that refer to or foretell Jesus.
These prophecies refer to Christ’s being, divinity and personality. Many different prophecies also speak about Jesus’ ministry, the most important of which are his death, burial and resurrection.
While entire books have been written about Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, this article will focus on prophecies about Jesus and the cross.
In particular, reference will be made to many of the prophecies mentioned in Exodus, the Book of Psalms, and Isaiah.
By His sacrificial act on the cross, the circumstances and means of His death, and by the words He spoke on the cross, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament.
From the Old Testament to the Cross
One of the most concrete prophecies about Jesus is found in Isaiah 53, which describes the “suffering slave.”
In Isaiah 53:4, the prophet mentions how the “suffering servant” “carried our sorrows and bore our pains” (New International Translation).
This is exactly what the New Testament teaches about Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, in the sense that he bore the punishment for mankind’s sins (Hebrews 9:28).
Jesus, who had no sin himself, took on sin to bring righteousness to all who believe in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Interestingly, a part of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 53:4-5 was directly quoted by the apostle Peter, when talking about Jesus’ death on the cross.
To show that Jesus fulfilled this Old Testament prophecy, Peter declared, “He himself bore our sins in his own body on the cross, that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “By his stripes you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24, NIV).
However, the prophet Isaiah did not fully understand his vision, which was fully realized and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who fully fulfilled the role of the suffering slave.
Another prophecy that speaks of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross is found in Deuteronomy 21:23. In this verse, any person who hangs on the “tree” is called cursed.
Jesus also fulfilled this part, because “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming accursed for us, as it is written: ‘Cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree'” (Galatians 3:13, ESV).
Because of man’s inability to obey the law, all people are cursed (Galatians 3:10).
Thus, the sacrificial and atoning nature of Jesus’ death is evident in this prophecy, for he took upon himself the curse and punishment that rightly belonged to sinful man. He did this so that all who believe in Him can have eternal life. (John 3:15-16).
The position of the death of Jesus Christ
Although it may seem that Jesus’ death during Passover week was purely coincidental, this timing is a central part of the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
When God sent his final plague on the Egyptians, the death of the firstborn, he commanded the Israelites to sacrifice the Passover lamb and smear its blood on their doors (Exodus 12:12-13, 22).
In this way, the destroyer passed through the houses of the Israelites and saved them from death (Exodus 12:23).
Likewise, Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover lamb that was sacrificed to cover the sins of the world (1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19).
As prophesied in Psalm 34:20, none of Jesus’ bones were broken when He died on the cross (John 19:33-36).
This is consistent with the Old Testament foreshadowing of Jesus as the Passover lamb, not one of whose bones should be broken (Exodus 12:46).
Also, Jesus remained silent in the face of his accusers, just as Isaiah spoke of being like a sheep that is silent in front of the shearers (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12; 1 Peter 2:23).
Because Jesus died during Passover week and had the characteristics of the sacrificial lamb, He fulfilled the prophecies about the Passover lamb.
Just as the Passover event at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion was an important part of Old Testament prophecy, so was the division of his garments after Jesus was crucified.
Since the act of crucifixion involved stripping the victim of his clothes, the soldiers divided Jesus’ clothes (Matthew 27:35).
However, they did not tear Jesus’ seamless undergarment, but decided to cast lots to see who would get that precious piece of clothing (John 19:23-24).
Lotteries can be likened to gambling or drawing lots to determine an outcome. This event was not a random act, but was prophesied in the Old Testament (Psalms 22:18).
The instrument of death of Jesus Christ
In addition, the Old Testament also prophesied about the manner of Jesus’ death, which was to be pierced and hanged on a tree.
As shown, Deuteronomy specifically states that anyone who hangs on a tree is cursed (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13).
While Jesus was not hanged on a live tree, he was hung on wooden cross beams that resembled a tree.
Among several passages of the Old Testament that foretell the death of Christ, it is described that Jesus’ hands and feet will be pierced by “dogs” and “evildoers,” possibly referring to his crucifixion at the hands of the Gentile Romans (Psalms 22 : 16; Matthew 27: 26).
Isaiah also prophesied that Jesus “was wounded for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:6). Zechariah 12:10 is a prophecy fulfilled by Christ, but also has a future element, detailing God’s piercing (John 19:37; Revelation 1:7).
Considering these passages, Christ’s death through the piercing of the hands and feet was prophesied in the Old Testament writings.
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