The Lord Jesus said that the OT Scriptures “testify of Me” (John 5:39). Hundreds of OT prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming. But what are some of the most amazing prophetic passages?
This blog is based on one of the answers in the teacher’s guide for my Bible study on the Gospel of John. The Bible study includes much information from my commentary on John. There are ten or more questions per chapter. I give my answers to all those questions in the teacher’s guide.
What follows is what I wrote for the teacher’s guide, plus a bit more.
Genesis 3:15. This is the protoevangelium, the first gospel. The seed of the serpent (Satan) would bruise (or crush) the heel of the seed of the woman, that is, the Messiah. But the Messiah would bruise (or crush) the head of Satan.
Genesis 3:15 is a prophecy about the Cross of Christ. It was there that Satan bruised Jesus’ heel and Jesus bruised Satan’s head. The very killing of Jesus was, in truth, His victory and the start of Satan’s ultimate banishment to the lake of fire (Luke 10:18; Rom 16:20; Rev 12:9; 20:10). (Note: Some understand the bruising of the heel of the woman’s seed to refer to all of humanity due to the consequences of the Fall. Others suggest that it refers to all of humanity and also the Messiah.)
Psalm 22:14-18. David wrote this a thousand years before Christ, at a time when crucifixion was unknown. Note five specific prophecies fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ at the Cross. First, His tongue would cling to His jaws, a reference to great thirst (John 19:28). Second, His hands and feet would be pierced (Luke 24:39; John 20:20-27). Third, none of his bones would be broken (John 19:36). Fourth, they would divide His garments among them (Matt 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:24). Fifth, they would cast lots for His tunic (John 19:24).
Isaiah 52:13-53:12. This is the fantastic Suffering Servant passage. The Messiah would not only be “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Gen 49:9-10; Rev 5:5). He would also be “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, 36; cf. Gen 22:8; Rev 5:6, 12; 13:8).
Isaiah gives seven superb Messianic prophecies in the Suffering Servant section. First, “His visage [would be] marred” (Isa 52:14). That occurred when He was scourged, beaten, spat upon, and given a crown of thorns (cf. Mark 15:15-19). Second, Isaiah said that He would be despised and rejected (Isa 53:3). That was fulfilled throughout His ministry and also at the Crucifixion (cf. Matt 27:27-31, 39-41; Mark 15:29-32; John 8:33-59; 1:11). Third, Isaiah alluded to the Cross when he wrote, “He [would be] pierced for our transgressions” (Isa 53:5). Jesus’ hands and feet (and side) were pierced at the Cross (Luke 24:39; John 20:20-27). Fourth, the words “He opened not His mouth” (Isa 53:7) were fulfilled both during His trials and at the Cross when He did not defend Himself (Matt 27:12; John 19:9-10; Acts 8:32). Fifth, Isaiah prophesied that “they [would make] His grave with the wicked.” That alludes to His being crucified with two thieves and destined for burial with them (Matt 27:38, 44). Sixth, Isaiah said that He would, instead, be “with the rich at His death” (Isa 53:9). Jesus’ body was claimed by Joseph of Arimathea and placed in his deluxe tomb (Matt 27:57; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:51; John 19:38). Seventh, he said that the Suffering Servant would “see His seed” and “prolong His days” (Isa 53:10). That refers to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (Matt 28:6-7; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6, 34; John 2:22; 20:28).
There are many more spectacular prophecies about Jesus’ first coming. Here are but a few: Gen 49:10; Deut 18:15-18; Ps 16:7-11; Isa 7:14; 9:6-7; 11:1-10; Dan 9:24-27; Zech 9:9; Micah 5:2.
There are also many fantastic prophecies about His Second Coming. They will all be fulfilled with equal precision.
How can God do that? How can He tell us the future without turning humans into robots? The answer is that God can see the future before it happens. He is omniscient (all-knowing). That is remarkable! That is just a little glimpse into the amazing One whom we serve.
