In the New Testament (Matthew 26:56 we read: "But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled."

What are these "Scriptures of the Prophets"? Reference to the Old Testament shows that these prophecies were written by Jewish prophets some 1,000 to 500 years before these events occurred.

We have selected twenty-nine specific prophecies concerning the sufferings of the Messiah, all of which were fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth during the 24 hours leading up to His crucifixion.

We invite the reader to look up these Scriptures for himself and draw his sown conclusions therefrom.

The Sufferings Of The Messiah Foretold

1.

He was to be sold for thirty pieces of silver.

Prophecy: Zechariah 11:12.

Fulfillment: Matthew 26:14-15.

2.

He was to be betrayed by a friend.

Prophecy: Psalms 55:12-14; 41:9.

Fulfillment: Matthew 26:47-50; John 13:18.

3.

The money obtained was to be cast to the potter (a), silver (b), 30 pieces (c), thrown down (d), in the House of the Lord.

Prophecy: Zechariah 11:13.

Fulfillment: Matthew 27:3-10.

4.

His disciples were to forsake Him.

Prophecy: Zechariah 13:7.

Fulfillment: Matthew 26:56 and Mark 14:27.

5.

He was to be accused by false witnesses.

Prophecy: Psalms 35:11; 109:2.

Fulfillment: Matthew 26:59-60.

6.

He was to be smitten with rod upon cheek.

Prophecy: Micah 5:1.

Fulfillment: Matthew 26:67.

7.

He was to be smitten and spat upon: (a), smitten (b), on face (c), spit upon (d), upon face.

Prophecy: Isaiah 50:4-6.

Fulfillment: Matthew 26:67-68.

8.

His visage was to be marred.

Prophecy: Isaiah 52:14.

Fulfillment: Luke 26:64; Matthew 26:67; 27:29-30.

9.

He was to be dumb before His accusers.

Prophecy: Isaiah 53:7.

Fulfillment: Matthew 27:12-14, and 1 Peter 2:23.

10.

He was to be wounded and bruised.

Prophecy: Isaiah 53:5.

Fulfillment: Matthew 27:26,29.

These events were all fulfilled in detail in 24 hours in the experience of Jesus of Nazareth. According to the law of compound probabilities, the chance that they all happened together by accident is Ä 1 in 537,000,000.

The conclusion is inevitable that the Bible is what it claims to be, the Word of the Living God, and that Jesus Christ is the true Messiah.

Since these prophecies of His sufferings have been so literally fulfilled, we are justified in expecting as literal a fulfillment of the many other prophecies of Messiah's glorious reign.

"These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, ye might have life through His name." (John 20:31)

"Those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled." (Acts 3:18)

11.

His hands and feet were to be pierced.

Prophecy: Psalm 22:16.

Fulfillment: Luke 23:33; John 20:25-27.

12.

He was to be crucified with thieves.

Prophecy: Isaiah 53:12.

Fulfillment: Mark 15:27-28.

13.

He was to pray for His persecutors.

Prophecy: Isaiah 53:12; Psalm 109:4.

Fulfillment: Luke 23:34.

14.

The people were to shake their heads.

Prophecy: Psalms 109:25; 22:7.

Fulfillment: Matthew 27:39.

15.

The people were to ridicule Him.

Prophecy: Psalm 22:8.

Fulfillment: Matthew 27:41,43

16.

The people were to be astonished.

Prophecy: Psalm 22:17; Isaiah 52:14.

Fulfillment: Luke 23:35.

17.

His garments were to be parted and lots cast for His vesture.

Prophecy: Psalm 22:18.

Fulfillment: John 19:23-24.

18.

He was to cry: "My God, My God, Why has Thou forsaken Me?"

Prophecy: Psalm 22:1

Fulfillment: Matthew 27:46.

19.

He was to thirst.

Prophecy: Psalms 69:3, 21; 22:15.

Fulfillment: John 19:28.

20.

They were to give Him gall and vinegar.

Prophecy: Psalm 69:21.

Fulfillment: Matthew 27:34; John 19:28-29.

21.

He was to commit Himself to God.

Prophecy: Psalm 31:5.

Fulfillment: Luke 23:46.

22.

His friends were to stand afar off.

Prophecy: Psalm 38:11.

Fulfillment: Luke 23:49.

23.

His bones were not to be broken, yet were to be "out of joint" (crucifixion pangs). "I may tell all my bones." (Psalm 22:14,17).

Prophecy: Psalm 34:20; Exodus 12:46.

Fulfillment: John 19:31-36.

24.

His side was to be pierced.

Prophecy: Zechariah 12:10.

Fulfillment: John 19:34-37.

25.

His heart was to be broken.

Prophecy: Psalm 22:14.

Fulfillment: John 19:34.

26.

Darkness was to cover the land.

Prophecy: Amos 8:9.

Fulfillment: Matthew 27:45.

27.

He was to be buried in a rich man's tomb.

Prophecy: Isaiah 53:9.

Fulfillment: Matthew 27:57-60.

28.

His death was to be voluntary.

Prophecy: Isaiah 53:12; Psalm 40:6-8.

Fulfillment: John 10:11,17,18; Galatians 2:20.

29.

His death was to be substitutionary.

Prophecy: Isaiah 53:4-6,12; Daniel 9:26.

Fulfillment: Matthew 20:28; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 2:24; Revelation 1:5-6.

THE GOSPEL STANDARD