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Prophecies Of Messiahs Death And Burial

Messiah Gives Up His Life

Into Your hand commit my spirit. (Psalm 31:5)

Messiah Gives Up His Life Fulfilment

Despite His physical weakness and thirst, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit. (Luke 23:46)

Having accomplished His Father’s will and finished His mission, Jesus yielded up His spirit to His Father.

Read and Learn More Key Biblical Messianic Prophecies

At that moment the veil of the temple, separating the holy place from the Most Holy Place, was torn in two from top to bottom; God had made a direct and personal way of access to Himself through His Son’s atoning death.

Witnesses The Centurion and His Soldiers

There was an earthquake, rocks were split and many dead saints came back to life.

When the centurion and the soldiers who were guarding Jesus saw these frightening supernatural signs, they were convinced that He truly was the Son of God.

Witnesses Many Women

Many women had followed Jesus from Galilee, and they were watching at a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

Not One of His Bones Broken

“In one house it (the Passover lamb) shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones. ’’(Exodus 12:46, note). It was Preparation Day and the bodies could not remain on the crosses during the Sabbath.

So the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken to hasten death and their bodies taken away. So the soldiers broke the legs ofthe two crucified on either side of Jesus; but seeing that Jesus was already dead, they did not break His legs.

Messiahs Side Is Pierced

“And I will pour on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced.” (Zechariah 12:10)

Buried with the Rich

And they made His grave with the wicked—
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth. (Isaiah 53:9)

Buried with the Rich Fulfillment

It was the Roman custom to throw crucified bodies to the dogs. But Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and a secret disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Pilate permitted him and Joseph took the body away.

Witnesses Joseph Of Arimathea And Nicodemus

Then Nicodemus, who was also a secret believer, came openly with myrrh and aloes. They covered Jesus’ body with spices and bound it with clean linen cloths.

Then they placed His body into Joseph’s tomb, which he had recently cut into the rock. Afterward, they rolled a large stone across the entrance of the tomb.

The day after Preparation Day, the Jewish leaders went to Pilate and said that Jesus had claimed He would arise from the dead after three days.

Therefore they asked for the tomb to be guarded until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples might steal the body and deceive the people, claiming that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Pilate agreed to their request and told them to go and secure the tomb. So they sealed the stone across the entrance and put soldiers there to guard it.

Suffering Messiah Verses

Prophecies Of Messiahs Suffering Lamblike

He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep, before its shearers are silent, So He opened not His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7, Emphasis added)

Lamblike Fulfilment

The Jewish leaders had no authority to execute Jesus and the next morning He was taken to Pilate, to be tried in the Roman Court.

Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews and Jesus answered that it was so. But during the incessant accusations from the chief priests and leaders, He remained silent.

Pilate was very impressed with Jesus and did not want to condemn an innocent man. It was the custom during the Passover feast for the Roman governor to release a prisoner.

So Pilate asked the crowd who they wanted him to release. Should Jesus Barabbas, a notorious murderer and rebel against the Roman government, be set free; or Jesus, who was called Messiah?

Read and Learn More Key Biblical Messianic Prophecies

The Jewish leaders had already persuaded the gathered mob against Jesus and they cried out for the release of Barabbas.

When Pilate asked what he should do with Jesus, they all answered that he should be crucified. Pilate asked them why, seeing that Jesus had done no evil. But they continued to cry out for Him to be crucified.

Reason and justice did not influence the mob. So Pilate washed his hands before them, saying that he had no responsibility for Jesus’ death, it was their decision. Seeing that a riot was imminent, he reluctantly handed Jesus over to be scourged, a life-threatening punishment.

Messiah Disfigured Beyond Recognition

Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently;
He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.
Just as many were astonished at you,
So His visage was marred more than any man,
And His form more than the sons of men. (Isaiah 52:13-14)

Suffering Messiah Verses

Messiah Disfigured Beyond Recognition Fulfillment

After Jesus was scourged, the Roman soldiers took Him to the Praetorium and the whole garrison gathered around him. They dressed Jesus in a scarlet robe and pressed down a crown of thorns on His head.

Then they placed a reed in His hand, as a mock scepter and they knelt before Him saying, “Hail, King of Jews!” (Matthew 27:29). They spat on Jesus, took the reed from His hand and beat Him on the head with it.

The brutal punishment and abuse disfigured His appearance until Jesus was no longer recognizable.

After the soldiers had satisfied their sadistic pleasure, they took off the robe and returned His clothes to Him. Then He was led out to be crucified, the crudest form of execution, reserved for the worst of criminals.

Messiah Was To Be Pierced

For dogs have surrounded Me;

The congregation ofthe wicked has enclosed Me.

They pierced My hands and My feet. (Psalm 22:16)

This psalm describes, 1000 years before Jesus was born, the crucifixion of Messiah, in complete and accurate detail.

Suffering Messiah Verses

Messiah Was To Be Pierced Fulfilment

Exhausted and weakened, Jesus was unable to carry His cross. One of the guards ordered a bystander, Simon from Cyrene, to carry Jesus’ cross to Golgotha.

They offered Him a mixture of wine and myrrh to dull His pain, but after tasting it Jesus refused to drink. Then they nailed His hands and feet to the cross.

They Gambled for Messiah’s Garments

They divide My garments among them,
Andfor My clothing they cast lots. (Psalm 22:18)

They Gambled for Messiah’s Garments Fulfillment

The executioners had the privilege of taking the victim’s clothes. After crucifying Jesus, the soldiers threw dice for His garments. Above His head, they had put a written sign of the criminal charge against Him.

This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews

Messiah Crucified With Thieves

And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12)

Messiah Crucified With Thieves Fulfilment

Jesus was crucified with two robbers, one on either side of Him, and all those passing by contemptuously blasphemed Him.

Jesus experienced cruel rejection yet He responded with prayers for those who sinned against Him; asking His Father to forgive them, because they were acting in ignorance.

Messiah Is Despised And Rejected

He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him. (Isaiah 53:3a)

All those who see. I ridicule Me;
They shoot out the lip, and they shake their head, saying,
“He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him;
Let Him deliver Him since He delights in Him!” (Psalm 22:7-8)

Messiah Is Despised And Rejected Fulfillment

Those who passed by challenged Jesus to save Himself, if He was the Son of God! The religious leaders observed His suffering with indifference and joined in with the mockery. They also defied Him to prove He was the Messiah, by coming down from the cross.

Messiah Is A Sin Offering

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bisector of our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes, I am healed.
All we like sheep have astray;
We have turned, everyone, to his iniquity of us all.
And the LORD has laid on Him the in the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:5-6)n way;

Suffering Messiah Verses

Messiah Is A Sin Offering Fulfilment

Jesus’ enemies continued to sneer, even the two robbers next to Him joined in the ridicule. What they did not understand, was that Jesus could not save Himself and save us at the same time! Therefore He chose to endure His suffering and remained on the cross.

Jesus had said when arrested in the garden, that if He had asked His Father, He would have provided twelve legions of angels. But He needed to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. To fulfill what was written about Him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.

Messiah Feels Forsaken by God’s Fulfillment

From the sixth hour (noon), there was a supernatural darkness over all the land for three hours, and Jesus was hidden from the gaping crowd. About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”(Matthew 27:46).

These words, spoken by Jesus in Aramaic, were written by David 1000 years previously.

Suffering Messiah Verses

Jesus had always been with the Father and this must surely have caused Him to experience a most cruel sense of rejection and complete isolation.

Messiah Thirsts

My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And My tongue clings to My jaws;
You have brought Me to the dust of death. (Psalm 22:15)

Reproach has broken my heart,
And I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
And for comforters, but I found none.
They also gave me gall for my food,
And for my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink. (Psalm 69:20-21)

Suffering Messiah Verses

Messiah Thirsts Fulfilment

From the time of His arrest to being crucified, Jesus had endured six separate trials and extremely brutal punishment. On the cross He suffered agonizing pain, exhaustion, and terrible thirst; as well as the emotional pain of scorn, rejection, and isolation.

One of those standing by the cross ran and soaked a sponge with sour wine; then lifted it on a stick for Him to drink. But others with him told him not to bother. They wanted to see if Elijah would come and help Him.

Prophecies Of Messiahs Earthly Ministry

By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
In Galilee of the Gentiles.
The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them, a light has shined. (Isaiah 9:1-2)

Messiah entered this dark world to give it spiritual light. John the Baptist was sent by God as a forerunner, to testify of the Light; so that people might believe in Him. He was the fulfillment of God’s call to Abraham and Israel, to be a blessing to all nations.

Prophecies Of Messiahs Earthly Ministry Fulfillment

Jesus began His ministry in Galilee, traveling through the region preaching repentance, teaching in the synagogues, and healing the people of all their sicknesses. News spread about Him to all the surrounding regions and great crowds flocked to Him.

Read and Learn More Key Biblical Messianic Prophecies

From the Galilee region, Jesus began calling out fishermen to follow Him, promising to make them fishers of men.

Witness Nathanael

When Nathanael heard about Jesus of Nazareth, knowing from Scripture that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, he asked if anything good could come out of Nazareth.

But after Jesus had spoken with him, Nathanael called Him Rabbi and declared He was God’s Son and the King of Israel.

” The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening ofthe prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year ofthe LORD. . .” (Isaiah 61:1-2, emphasis added)

Witness Nathanael Fulfillment

On the Sabbath day, Jesus read this portion of Scripture from Isaiah to the synagogue congregation in Nazareth. He told the people assembled there that the Scripture was now fulfilled.

In applying these prophetic words to Himself, He was claiming to be the Messiah and proclaiming the nature of His mission.

At first, he was received well, but they also remembered that He was only Joseph and Mary’s son. Jesus would not prove His claim by performing miraculous signs for them and He said that no prophet was welcome in his hometown.

There had been many widows in Israel during three years of drought, but God did not send Elijah the prophet to any of them, He had only sent him to help a widow in Zarephath, in the region of Sidon.

There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, but only Naaman the Syrian was cleansed. After hearing this they were furious and dragged Jesus to a cliff edge, to throw Him over; but He calmly walked through the mob and went on His way.

Now Herod Antipas had divorced his wife, to marry his niece. John the Baptist had publicly condemned him for this sin and consequently, Herod had ordered his arrest.

While in prison, John sent two of his disciples to Jesus, to ask whether He was the coming One, or if should they continue waiting.

John’s surprising uncertainty was possibly caused by his expectations of a conquering Messiah, as most Jews were anticipating at that time. Perhaps he had even expected to be liberated from prison.

But Jesus was releasing captives of sin and performing miraculous healings. The blind could see; the lame could walk, and the deaf could hear! He also excelled in preaching and teaching the Gospel of Good News to the poor.

Witnesses John’s Disciples

Jesus told John’s disciples to report back to John with the evidence they had seen and heard of His ministry.

After their departure, Jesus praised John the Baptist, saying that he was a messenger from God and a great prophet. It was written about him in the Scriptures, the one who would come and prepare the way for Messiah’s coming (Malachi 3:1).

Messiah’s Entry Into Jerusalem As King

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey. “(Zechariah 9:9)

Messiah’s Entry Into Jerusalem As King Fulfilment

Jesus, knowing it would be His final journey, went up to Jerusalem with His disciples for the Passover feast. On this occasion presented Himself publicly as the Messiah and King of Israel.

Witnesses Disciples and Multitudes

As He rode towards Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey, the large crowds accompanying Him from Jericho cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”{Matthew 21:9, Psalm 118:2; emphasis added)

As He drew near the city, knowing the future events that would happen to Jerusalem and her people, Jesus wept with great compassion.

He said that a time would come when their enemies would destroy the city and not one stone of the temple would remain intact. They would not see Him again until they said, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” (Matthew 23:39)

When Jesus’ procession entered Jerusalem, with the accompanying multitude loudly rejoicing and praising God, the whole city was shaken and wanted to know what was happening.

Jesus went straight to the temple and drove out those who were buying and selling there. In righteous anger, He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.

Witnesses The Lame The Blind And The Children

Then the blind and lame came to Jesus in the temple and He healed them. But the chief priests and scribes were angered by Jesus’ actions; and indignant when they heard the children shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”.

Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise?”(Psalm 8:2 and Matthew 21:16)

The ordinary and disreputable people had listened to John’s message of repentance and were baptized. But the religious leaders had refused to listen to John or submit to being baptized by him.

These Jewish religious leaders also rejected and opposed Jesus. Throughout His ministry, they had looked for a way to outwit and trap Him.

Jesus had publicly accused them of pretending to be pious, but secretly seeking prestige and power. He had condemned them as being blind guides, who neglected justice, mercy, and truth.

After Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as Messiah, they secretly plotted together to kill Him after the Passover feast.

Israel Rejects the Gospel Fulfilment

Jesus, knowing that He had a redemptive purpose to accomplish at His first coming, had openly declared His predicted sufferings and death. But He also said that He would be victorious over death and spoke of His future glory.

However, Jesus was misunderstood by the Jews when he said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” ( John 2:19). They thought that He was speaking ofthe temple building, but Jesus was speaking of the temple of His body.

When pressed by the Jews for a sign, Jesus spoke of Jonah, who was a sign of death and resurrection. Just as the prophet had been three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so He would be three days and three nights in the earth.

Jesus had also taught about the signs that would precede His second coming. But at that time, His disciples did not fully comprehend the things He told them. Knowing that the appointed time of His suffering was drawing near, Jesus was troubled.

He said that when He was lifted from the earth, He would draw all peoples to Himself, signifying how He would die.

The crowd, knowing the Scriptures that spoke of Messiah reigning triumphantly forever, questioned His statements. Even after all the miraculous signs and miracles they had witnessed, they did not believe in Him.

Yet some secretly believed, even among the leaders. But because of their fear of being put out of the synagogue, they kept quiet.

After His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the confrontation in the temple, Jesus went to stay with friends in nearby Bethany.

While Jesus was eating, a woman came in with an alabaster jar of pure spikenard, and breaking the jar she poured all the contents on Jesus’ head. His disciples, especially Judas, criticized her for wasting perfume that was worth a year’s wages.

But Jesus defended the woman’s action; she had poured oil on His body to anoint Him for burial. What she had done would be remembered and admired.

Prophecies Of Messiahs Betrayal

Betrayed by a Friend

Even my familiar friend whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has lifted His heel against me. (Psalm 41: 9)

Betrayed by a Friend Fulfilment

After the meal at Bethany, Judas Iscariot went secretly to the chief priests. He asked what they would offer him to betray Jesus and they gave him thirty pieces of silver.

During the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus was troubled. He said that one of them was going to betray Him. The disciples were stunned, and each of them began to ask Him if they were the ones who would do this.

Read and Learn More Key Biblical Messianic Prophecies

After receiving the piece of bread, Satan entered Judas and he left the room quickly. And it was night.

A New Covenant

“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.. . ” (Jeremiah 31:31)

A New Covenant Fulfilment

Jesus took the bread and broke it. Then He gave it to the disciples; saying that the bread was His body. He took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and told them to drink from it. He said that it was His blood ofthe new covenant, which is shed for the forgiveness of sins.

Forsaken By His Disciples

“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd,
Against the Man who is My Companion,”
Says the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered.”(Zechariah 13:7)

Forsaken By His Disciples Fulfillment

Jesus told His disciples that they would all forsake Him that night, as it was prophesied. Peter protested, stating that he would never deny Him. But Jesus said that night, before the rooster crows, he would deny Him three times.

Then Jesus went out with the disciples, to a place called Gethsemane. Deeply troubled, Jesus prayed to His Father, asking if it were possible for this cup of suffering to pass from Him. Nevertheless, not His will, but His Father’s will be done.

As Jesus continued in anguished prayer, His disciples fell asleep.

Then He warned them to be alert, His time of betrayal was near. While He was still speaking Judas arrived, leading an armed crowd.

He went straight to Jesus and identified Him to the guards with a kiss. When they seized Jesus, one of His disciples struck the high priest’s servant and slashed off his ear.

But Jesus told him to put his sword away and restore the man’s ear. He had all heaven’s power at His disposal, but it was His Father’s will that the Scriptures concerning Him were fulfilled. At this point, all His disciples deserted Him and ran away.

Jesus was arrested and led away to the high priest’s house, where all the scribes and elders had assembled. Peter followed at a distance and joined the guards sitting around a fire in the courtyard.

Messiah Oppressed And Afflicted

He was oppressed He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

Messiah Oppressed And Afflicted Fulfilment

Throughout His unlawful arrest and trial, alone and undefended, Jesus acted with dignity. He remained silent as false witnesses came forward and told lies about Him.

Finally, the high priest commanded Jesus, under oath to the living God, to say whether He was the Messiah, the Son of God.

Jesus answered in the affirmative. Speaking prophetically of His second coming, He stated that He would be seen sitting at the right hand of God and coming on the clouds of heaven (Daniel 7:13).

Jesus was speaking truthfully, but the high priest accused Him of blasphemy, and all those assembled there called for the death sentence. Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat Him.

Having blindfolded Jesus, they mockingly asked Him to prophesy who it was who had struck Him.

Meanwhile, as Peter waited in the courtyard, a servant girl came to him and said that he had been with Jesus of Nazareth. But Peter denied it and said he didn’t know what she was talking about.

As he went out to the gateway another girl saw him and also said that he was with Jesus of Nazareth. But Peter swore that he did not know Him.

Later on, other bystanders insisted that Peter was one of the disciples because it was obvious from his speech that he was a Galilean. Peter began to swear and curse, saying that he did not know the Man.

While Peter was still speaking, a rooster crowed. Then he remembered Jesus telling him that before the rooster crows, he would deny Him three times. Then Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

To Be Sold For Thirty Pieces Of Silver

And the LORD said to me, “ Throw it to the potter”—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house ofthe LORD for the potter. (Zechariah 11:13)

To Be Sold For Thirty Pieces Of Silver Fulfilment

Judas, seeing that Jesus was condemned, was overcome with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.

He said that he had sinned in betraying an innocent man, but they were indifferent to his remorse. So Judas threw the coins into the temple, then he went out and hanged himself.

Knowing that it was unlawful to accept blood money as an offering in the temple, the chief priests decided to buy a plot of ground to bury strangers in, known as the potter’s field.

Prophecies Of Messiahs Pre-Existence

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

“But, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.” (Micah 5:2, emphasis added)

“For unto us, a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, emphasis added)

Read and Learn More Key Biblical Messianic Prophecies

The promised Child was both human and divine. He would reign forever on the throne of David, something that God Himself promised to accomplish.

In writing this psalm David speaks of ‘my Lord’, someone greater than himself. Jesus was a descendant of David, yet his pre-existent LORD.

The apostle John omits any reference to the human descent of Jesus and begins his Gospel account with a bold and clear declaration of the deity of Jesus (John 1:1).

The divine and eternal Messiah existed before the earth and man were created. The LORD God’s Anointed preceded all written prophecies and any recorded genealogies.

Prophecies Concerning Messiahs Birthplace Bethlehem

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting. ” (Micah 5:2, emphasis added)

Bethlehem Fulfilment

Now Mary was engaged to Joseph, a direct descendant of King David. When he discovered Mary was pregnant, it appeared that she had betrayed him. Bitterly disappointed, he wanted to break off the engagement.

Read and Learn More Key Biblical Messianic Prophecies

But being a good man and a devout Jew, he desired to do it discreetly; so that Mary would not be shamed and disgraced.

She would have a Son and He was to be named JESUS, meaning Saviour; because He would save the people from their sins.

Overawed by the mystery of Mary having been chosen to be the mother of the Saviour King, Joseph’s concerns were banished.

He did as the angel had commanded and married Mary as originally planned, but the marriage was not consummated until after the birth of her firstborn son. Joseph, of the lineage of David, was not the physical father of Jesus, but he became His legal father.

Mary and Joseph were living in Nazareth before the birth of Jesus. About that time, Caesar Augustus had ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. In Israel it was customary to register at a person’s ancestral home; so Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, the city of David.

While they were there, the time came for Jesus to be born. However, as Bethlehem was crowded with visitors registering for the census, there were no rooms left at the inn. So Jesus was born in a humble stable, wrapped in strips of cloth, and laid in a manger.

Witnesses Angels

That night, there were shepherds in the fields nearby guarding their sheep. Suddenly an angel of God appeared to them and the light of God’s glory shone around.

The angel told them not to be afraid because he had some wonderful news for all people. That day a Saviour had been born in David’s town, the Messiah and Ruler. He told the shepherds that they would find the Baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a manger.

Then a huge angelic choir joined the first angel, singing God’s praises and giving him glory, announcing peace toward all men and women on earth.

Witnesses Shepherds

The shepherds quickly ran to Bethlehem. They found Joseph and Mary, and the Baby lying in a manger, just as the angel had said.

After the shepherds had seen Him they spread the news of what had happened and everyone who heard their story was amazed.

Witness Simeon

On the eighth day, to fulfill the Jewish Law, the Baby was circumcised and named JESUS. After Mary’s days of purification were completed, they went to Jerusalem, to present their firstborn to God (Exodus 13:1-2).

Living in Jerusalem at that time was an old man named Simeon. He was a devout Jew, waiting expectantly for the coming of Israel’s Messiah. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he would see the Messiah before he died. He was led by the Spirit to the Temple, just as Joseph and Mary arrived with Jesus, to carry out the rituals of the Jewish Law.

Simeon took Jesus up in his arms. He blessed God and said that the LORD would now let him depart in peace, for he had seen His salvation, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of God’s people Israel.

Jesus’ father and mother marveled at the things that Simeon had spoken. Simeon blessed them, and he told Mary that there would be controversy in Israel concerning her Son and it would cause her pain, like a sword piercing her heart.

Witness Anna The Prophetess

Anna was a widow and very old; she continually served God in the Temple with fasting and prayers. Seeing Simeon holding Jesus and praying, she also gave thanks to God for Him. Then she spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for national deliverance.

Witnesses Three Learned Men

Sometime after Jesus was born, learned men came from the East to Jerusalem. They had seen a supernatural star announcing the birth of the King of the Jews and had come to worship Him.

When King Herod heard of this he was deeply troubled. He gathered the Jewish religious scholars together and asked them where Messiah would be born. They answered that it was written, by the prophet Micah, that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

Then Herod held a secret meeting with the wise men, to find out when the star had appeared. Afterward, he sent them to Bethlehem and told them to let him know when they found the Child, pretending that he also wanted to go and worship Him.

The star they had followed from the east led them again and hovered over the exact place where the Child was.

When they entered the house and saw the Child with His mother, they fell and worshipped Him. Then they presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The wise men were warned in a dream not to report back to Herod and they returned to their own country by another route.

An angel warned Joseph in a dream to take the Child and His mother to Egypt, because Herod would hunt for the Child and kill Him. Joseph left while it was dark, taking Mary and Jesus with him. The family remained in Egypt until after Herod’s death.

Prophecies Concerning Messiahs Birth Immanuel

“ Therefore the Lord Himselfshallgiveyou a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. ” (Isaiah 7:14)

This prophecy speaks of a man born of a woman, but independently of man, a biological impossibility.

But as God created the universe out of nothing and man from the dust of the ground, He could certainly bring about a virgin birth.

Immanuel Fulfilment

Six months after Elizabeth’s conception God sent the angel Gabriel to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary. Entering her home, Gabriel greeted Mary, telling her to rejoice! She was highly favored, the LORD was with her and she was blessed among women.

Read and Learn More Key Biblical Messianic Prophecies

Mary was shaken by the angel’s visitation and confused by his greeting; but the angelic visitor reassured Mary, saying that he had come with a message from God.

Mary would conceive and give birth to a Son. His name would be JESUS. He would be great and called the Son of God. The LORD God would give Him the throne of His ancestor David and He would rule over Jacobs’s house forever.

Mary believed the message but struggled to comprehend how it could be accomplished. Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would conceive by the power of God.

Then Gabriel told Mary that her relative Elizabeth had conceived a son and she was now six months pregnant; even though she was old and everyone had thought she was barren.

Mary knew that her reputation would be at stake, but asking no questions, she humbly surrendered to the plan and purpose of God.

Witnesses Elizabeth And John

Soon afterwards, Mary visited Elizabeth her cousin. At the sound of another greeting, the baby jumped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Before Mary could share her news, Elizabeth already knew that she had been chosen to be the mother of the LORD.

She declared that Mary was blessed among women and the fruit of her womb was blessed. She marveled at the privilege of Marys’s visit and said those things promised to her would come to pass; because she had believed.

Prophecies Concerning A Forerunner

The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way ofthe LORD;
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God. ” (Isaiah 40:3)

“Behold, IsendMy messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the Covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming ”
Says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

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Prophecies concerning a forerunner, who would precede the coming of Messiah and prepare His way, were well known among Jews. After the time of the prophet Malachi, no other prophets had appeared in Israel and there was a period of silence lasting about 400 years.

Then John the Baptist came as God’s messenger, to prepare the people of Israel for the promised Messiah.

Prophecies Concerning A Forerunner Fulfillment

From 37 B.C. to 4 B.C. Judea, Samaria, and Galilee were governed by Rome. Herod the Great, half-Idumaean and half-Israelite, was appointed under Roman patronage and ruled as king over Judea.

The Jews deeply resented the Roman occupation and hated the ruthlessly ambitious King Herod. Their only hope for liberation was centered on God’s prophecies of a Messiah; a King who would reign over Israel forever on the throne of David.

During the time that King Herod was ruling in Judea, there was a certain priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. He and his wife were righteous Jews, who loved God and kept the requirements of the Law.

They had no children, as Elizabeth was barren and they were both old. One day, when Zechariah’s division was serving at the temple in Jerusalem, he was chosen by lot to burn incense to the LORD. This was a great honor, something that a priest could only do once in his career.

At the hour that the incense was offered and the people were praying outside the Temple, Zechariah was startled by the sudden appearance of an angel, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

He would go before Messiah in the spirit and power of Elijah; to turn the people back to God and prepare them for His coming.

But Zechariah, temporarily forgetting God’s supernatural ability to fulfill His promises, looked at his natural circumstances and struggled to believe this incredible announcement.

The angel said that his name was Gabriel and that he had been sent by God. Because Zechariah had doubted his message, he would be mute until the promise was fulfilled.

Witnesses

The people waiting outside wondered why Zechariah was taking so long in the temple. When he came out he could not speak to them and they perceived he had seen a vision.

Witnesses Fulfillment

After Zechariah had completed his days of service at the temple, he returned home. Later his wife Elizabeth conceived and she withdrew for the first five months of her pregnancy.

When it was time for her to give birth, she had a boy and on the eighth day, they came to circumcise him. Everyone expected the baby to be named Zechariah, but Elizabeth said that his name was John.

Her relatives and neighbors were surprised; as it was the custom to name a child after a relative and no one in the family had that name. As Zechariah was deaf and mute they made signs to him, to find out what he would like the baby to be named.

Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately Zechariah was able to talk again and began praising God. Everyone living in the Judea area was filled with awe at these events and wondered what this child would be; because the hand ofthe LORD was with him.

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, declaring that God’s promise to send a Saviour from the family of David was now being fulfilled.

John would be called the prophet of the Highest because he would go before the LORD to prepare His way; giving knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins.

The child grew and became strong in spirit. He lived in the desert until he came out to preach to Israel.

Prophecies Concerning Messiah’s Earthly Ancestry

Seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

“Blessed be the LORD,
The God of Shem,
And may Canaan be his servant.
May God enlarge Japheth,
And may he dwell in the tents of Shem;
And may Canaan be his servant.” (Genesis 9:26-27)

After the flood, when the earth was dried, God told Noah and his family to leave the ark. He also instructed him to bring out all the living creatures. Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and made a burnt offering.

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The sacrifice was pleasing and acceptable to God. He promised that He would not curse the earth again and destroy all living things with a flood.

He blessed Noah and his sons Shem, Ham, the father of Canaan, and Japheth; the fathers of three new nations after the Flood, populating the earth.

The Promised Messiah – Prophecies Fulfilled

Noah planted a vineyard and after becoming drunk on the wine, he lay uncovered in his tent. Ham looked at his father’s nakedness; but Shem and Japheth walked backward with a covering for their father, turning their faces to avoid seeing him.

Afterward, Noah blessed his sons Shem and Japheth. As Ham had already been blessed by God, Noah cursed him indirectly by cursing his son Canaan.

Shem is given precedence over Noah’s other sons and it was God’s choice that Messiah would come from the line of Shem, the Semitic race.

“I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And will curse him who curses you;
And in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2-3)

God commanded Abram, a descendant of Shem, to leave his country, his family, and his tribe, for a land that He would show him. God blessed Abram and promised that he would become the father of a great nation.

Abram obeyed God and eventually became the father of the Jewish nation. God changed Abrams’s name to Abraham, meaning father of many nations. He is also the father of Ishmael and the Arab peoples, as well as people groups, descended from children borne to him by Keturah.

It was God’s foreordained plan that Messiah’s nationality would be Jewish and that He would be a blessing to all the nations on earth.

But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because ofthe labor because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.” (Genesis 21:12)

Now Abraham had a firstborn son named Ishmael, who had been borne to him by his wife’s Egyptian handmaid Hagar. But there was enmity between Sarah and her son, and Ishmael and Hagar. So Sarah insisted that Abraham send them away.

Of course, Abraham loved Ishmael and was troubled about this. Then God spoke to him directly instructing him to listen to his wife. He would bless Ishmael and make him into a great nation.

The Promised Messiah – Prophecies Fulfilled

But it was His sovereign choice that the messianic line would continue through Isaac, the son of the promise.

“I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob;
A Scepter shall rise out ofIsrael,
And batter the brow of Moab,
And destroy all the sons of tumult. ” (Numbers 24:17)

Isaacs’s wife Rebekah was pregnant and her babies struggled together in the womb. So Rebekah asked the LORD what was happening. He told her that there

When Abraham and his wife Sarah were old, God promised them a son. Sarah miraculously conceived when she was well past the age of childbearing and Isaac was born.

Now Abraham had a firstborn son named Ishmael, who had been borne to him by his wife’s Egyptian handmaid Hagar. But there was enmity between Sarah and her son, and Ishmael and Hagar. So Sarah insisted that Abraham send them away.

Of course, Abraham loved Ishmael and was troubled about this. Then God spoke to him directly, instructing him to listen to his wife. He would bless Ishmael and make him into a great nation. But it was His. sovereign choice that the messianic line would continue through Isaac, the son of the promise.

“I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob;
A Scepter shall rise out ofIsrael,
And batter the brow of Moab,
And destroy all the sons of tumult. ” (Numbers 24:17)

Isaacs’s wife Rebekah was pregnant and her babies struggled together in the womb. So Rebekah asked the LORD what was happening.

He told her that there were two nations in her womb. One person would be stronger than the other and the older would serve the younger.

Esau was the first twin to be born and then Jacob, who grasped his brother’s heel. Esau grew and became a skillful hunter in the fields. But Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.

Esau despised his firstborn rights and sold them to Jacob for a bowl of stew He also married Hittite women who believed in many gods, causing his parents great distress.

When Isaac was dying, Rebekah encouraged Jacob to trick his father into giving him the firstborn blessing. This caused enmity between the brothers.

Fearing for Jacobs’s life, Rebekah sent him to her brother Laban in Haran. Yet it was God’s will that His promises to Abraham and Isaac would be inherited by Jacob, not his firstborn son Esau.

Jacob married Leah and Rachel, the daughters of Laban. Children were also borne to him by Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah and Leah’s maidservant Zilpah.

Jacobs’s life was very difficult, but God’s blessing was continually upon him. He changed Jacobs’s name to Israel, meaning ‘Prince with God.’

“ The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
Until Shiloh (Messiah) comes;
And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” (Genesis 49:10, Author’s note)

In his last days, Jacob gathered his twelve sons around him and spoke to them individually. Beginning with his firstborn Reuben, he declared what would happen to them in the future.

Jacob praised Judah greatly, saying that he was like a mighty lion and would rise to leadership over the twelve sons. In blessing Judah, he predicted that a royal line would rise from his descendants and rule until Shiloh (Messiah) came.

Jacob also blessed and praised Joseph, the son who had been betrayed by his brothers. Joseph had developed great strength of character and the Mighty God of Jacob had been his protection.

He described Joseph as being separated to serve God’s holy purposes. God had selected Jacob’s son Judah, whose name means ‘Praise’. It was God’s choice that the Messiah King would come from the tribe of Judah.

Son Of David

Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:7)

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, Anda Branch shall grow out of his roots. (Isaiah 11:1)

Led by Joshua, the children of Israel invaded Canaan, conquered the people, and took possession ofthe land. Each tribe of Israel received a portion of the land as their inheritance.

Under the godly leadership of Joshua, the Israelites were faithful to the God of Israel. After Joshua’s death, Israel was led by judges and during this period the Israelites turned from God’s law.

Everyone did what they considered to be right by their standards. For nearly four centuries there were repeated cycles of rebellion against God, leading to defeat by their enemies and then a return to God.

Samuel was the last judge and the first prophet. During his godly leadership, there was a transition from judges to kings. The Israelites no longer wanted God to reign over them; they wanted to be like the other nations and have a king to rule over them.

Saul was anointed by Samuel to be the first king of Israel. But, although His outward appearance was impressive, he was not fully obedient to God’s commandments. Eventually, God regretted that He had made Saul king.

God told Samuel to take anointing oil and go to Jesse the Bethlehemite; because He had chosen a king from one of his sons. From the many tribes of Judah, God chose David, the youngest son of Jesse; to be the anointed king of Israel and an ancestor of Messiah, the Eternal King.

Saul had lost God’s blessing and was jealous of David’s anointing. There was enmity between them throughout the remainder of Saul’s reign. The king continually persecuted David, until he died in battle with the Philistines.

The future king had to live as a fugitive, fighting for his survival. Yet David would not harm Saul, even when he was allowed to do so.

David was a courageous warrior and he gathered many followers during his years of exile. The LORD sees what is inside the heart of man and He knew that David loved Him wholeheartedly.

After Saul’s death, David was anointed by the men of Judah as their king. He reigned over them in Hebron for seven and a half years. Then he was anointed as king over all the tribes of Israel. From Jerusalem, David reigned over all of Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.

Fulfillment And Evidence

Jews kept meticulous records and all public registers were carefully preserved. Two genealogies are recorded in the Bible concerning Jesus’ birth.

Matthew’s Gospel records Jesus’ genealogy from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and traces His legal inheritance line through David’s son Solomon.

Luke’s Gospel records Jesus’ genealogy from Joseph, all the way back to Adam, and His royal bloodline through Nathan, another son of David.

It could be that Matthew traced Joseph’s line and Luke traced Mary’s line. Joseph and Mary were most probably of the same tribe and family, according to Jewish Law (Numbers 36:8).

The First Prophecy Concerning Messiah

Seed of a Woman

“And, I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15, emphasis added)

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God had told Adam and Eve that they could eat the fruit from every tree in the Garden of Eden, with one exception. He warned them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that was in the middle of the garden; if they ate its fruit they would die.

He also questioned God’s motives for the restriction; saying that He knew their eyes would be opened when they ate and they would become like God, knowing good and evil.

Satan initiated the temptation to disobey God and ignore His warning, and listening to Satan’s skillful lies led to rebellion against God’s commandment. Because of what he had done, the serpent was cursed by God.

He also declared that there would be enmity between Satan and the woman; and between Satan’s seed and the woman’s Seed.

Her Seed would eventually defeat Satan’s seed, but Satan would cause Him great suffering. As Biblical society was strictly patriarchal and generations were traced through fathers and sons, the phrase ‘her Seed’ is unique.