Jesus in the Old Testament – Crucified

Today’s post will look at some OT passages that prophecy of Jesus’ crucifixion. This follows on from where the OT spoke of So far we have covered Jesus’ birth to his betrayal.

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This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death

Acts 2:23

The Law in the OT constantly demanded blood sacrifices of animals to cover sin. But no animal sacrifice was ever going to forgive someone once and for all of their sin, hence the need to repeat these sacrficies over and over again. The book of Hebrews reminds us of the inadequacy of animal sacrifice and that only Christ’s blood sacrifice would suffice (Heb 9:12-14). Let’s have a look at a few of the OT passages which parallel and prophecy Jesus’ crucifixion.

The Passover Lamb

New Testament: 

John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) and in Hebrews we read that shedding blood was needed to forgive sins (Heb 9:22).

Old Testament:  

A very obvious parallel here is the Passover Lamb in Exodus 12.  The Passover lamb had to be:

• male (v5)
• without blemish (v5) ie perfect
• none of its bones are broken (v46) – compare with Psalm 34:20 and John 19:33
• the blood of the lamb had to be placed on the door posts and lintel (v7) and in doing so God spared the people who did this (v13).  In other words we can only be saved by the blood of the lamb

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Insults and Casting Lots for His Clothes

New Testament: 

During his trial, Jesus was mocked and beaten (Matt 26:67; 27:30). Others continued to hurl insults at Jesus as he hung on the cross (Matt 27:39-40).

Old Testament:

Isaiah 50:6-7 prophecies the physical beating and humiliation of Jesus:

• I gave my back to those who strike me
• My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard
• I did not cover my face from humiliation and spitting

Crucifixion

New Testament: 

Although the NT does not give specific details regarding the actual act of the crucifixion, the OT clearly prophecies it. We do know the soldiers cast lots for his clothes (John 19:23-24) and later Jesus showed Thomas where the nails had pierced his hands (John 20:25,27)

Old Testament: 

Psalm 22:14-18 is a prophecy of Jesus on the cross:

• they pierced my hands and feet
• I can count all my bones
• They divide my garments among them, and for for my clothing they cast lots. 

Zechariah 12:10:

• They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him like a first born

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Forsaken

New Testament: 

Jesus even cried out to the Father asking why have you forsaken me (Matt 27:46)

Old Testament: 

The Psalmist cries out the words of Jesus on the cross “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Ps 22:1).  Yet the Father allowed this to happen to Jesus so that many will be justified and made free (Is 53: 10-11)

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A Wealthy Burial 

New Testament:

He was buried in a tomb belonging to a rich man named Joseph of Arimathea (Matt 27:57-60)

Old Testament: 

Isaiah prophecies that Jesus was assigned a grave with the wicked but was buried with the rich instead (Is 53:9) because He had done no violence, nor spoken any deceit.

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