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A powerful sign of the truth of Scripture is the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus’ crucifixion, and resurrection foretold hundreds of years before the birth of Christ.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, a number of prophets foretold a Jewish Messiah, a Savior, in whom God would bring salvation to the world.
It is said that there are over 300 prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament that reveal Christ as the prophesied Messiah. Here are a few pertaining to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
– Zechariah 9:9
This was fulfilled when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, as found in John 12, Matthew 21, Mark 11, and Luke 19.
“And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, ‘Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!'”
–John 12:14-15
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.”
– Isaiah 53:7
This was fulfilled in the New Testament in John 19, Matthew 27, Mark 15.
“When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.”
– John 19:8-9
“They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.”
– Psalm 22:18
This was fulfilled in the New Testament in Luke 23, Matthew 27, Mark 15 and John 19.
“And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
– Luke 23:24
“And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.”
– Isaiah 53:9
This was fulfilled in the New Testament in Luke 23, Matthew 27, Mark 15 and John 19.
“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.”
– Matthew 27:57-60
“Because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.”
– Psalm 16:10
The prophecies of Jesus’ resurrection were fulfilled in the New Testament in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20.
“But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here! See the place where they put Him.”
– Mark 16:6
“He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that ‘the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.'”
– Luke 24:6-7
