What Prophecies Were Fulfilled in the Crucifixion of Jesus?
Bible Study Guide
(Verses 28-30) Jesus had completed the work for which He was sent by the Father to perform. The scripture that was fulfilled that John is pointing to, are the words of Jesus in chapter 17.
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4)
The gospel of Mark records that Jesus was crucified at 9 am in the morning.
“It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.” (Mark 15:25)
In his gospel, Matthew records the time of His death.
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). (Matthew 27:45-46)
The Savior of the World took His last drink and then said, “It is finished.”
What Did Jesus Mean By Saying, “It Is Finished.”
This was not a man who was broken and had been defeated. But the Son of God, who came to completely fulfill all the laws and commandments of God. He accomplished all the work God sent Him to do.
This made Jesus the perfect Savior for humanity. Only He could extend to mankind the new covenant. The covenant between God and creation that offerss his free gift of salvation.
The work has been completed. The covenant has been offered and it was finished. The work of God was then handed to His disciples to continue the work of God. The Apostles then handed it over to us. What is the work of God for us?
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:29)
Now that Christ sits at the right hand of God, is this the last of His work? No!
Christ will repeat the words, “It is finished.” He will do this when John is an old man in his nineties. Jesus will appear to John to reveal all the visions John will record in the book of Revelation.
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:6)
Was Being “Forsaken” a Prophesy That Was Fulfilled in the Crucifixion of Jesus?
Let’s take a moment just to step back and revisit Matthew’s account of Jesus’ death.
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). (Matthew 27:45-46)
There are two prophecies that were fulfilled in this depiction of Jesus crucifixion. King David, again in the Crucifixion Psalm, in the opening verse foreshadows the day of Christ’ death and His cry out to God.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1)
At this moment, before His last breath, Jesus knew that God had separated Himself from Him. Thus, Jesus’ cry out to God. It’s likely this could’ve occurred in order to point out why God would’ve wanted/needed to separate Himself from His Son on the cross.
First, it’s important for us to understand that God cannot abide in sin. The whole point of salvation is to be washed clean of our sins in the blood of Christ, so we can once againbe reunited and abide with Him.
Second, because God cannot abide in sin and His son hung on a cross carrying the weight of all the worlds sins, God had to separate Himself from his Son, Jesus. This took place as Christ atoned for the sins of mankind. When this was complete, God was reunited with His Son, because all sin was cast away as far as the east is from the west.
This is why it’s so important for us to understand, sin matters! It’s what separates us from our creator. This is not what He had in store for His creation.
What Other Prophecies Were Fulfilled in the Crucifixion of Jesus?
The other piece of prophecy that was fulfilled in Matthew’s gospel comes from Isaiah. It’s the one we explored in the previous study guide.
“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:10-11)
It was the will of God that Jesus was crushed by the weight of our sins. Why? Because “He so loved the world.”
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
The Mystery of the Crucifixion of Jesus on the Cross
(Verse 31) It’s Jewish tradition based on the laws of the Torah that after death, the body is to be buried within 24 hours. Because Jesus was a Jew, the religious leaders were required to uphold the law, especially as preparation was taking place for the Passover.
But this created a problem for the Jews. Death by crucifixion didn’t quite coincide with the quick burial of a Jewish body.
The torturous and agonizing death by crucifixion could take as long as four days. This kind of death was a vicious cycle of agony and struggling to breath. There were three nails, one in each wrist and the other through both feet together that would support the entire weight of the body.
Due to weakness and pain, the body would slump and most of the weight would rest on the nails in the wrist. This position would put pressure on the torso and lungs not allowing the victim to breath. In order to be able to breath, they would push up on their legs. This gave them an opportunity to take in air as the pressure was released from the torso and lungs.
This would last as long as they could hold this position. Eventually, the pain and weight of the body would cause them to slump again. This painfully repetitious suffering could go on for several days.
To ensure the victim was dead, they would break their legs, not allowing them to push up and breath. Then they would die. This is the reason the Jewish leaders asked if the soldiers would break their legs.
But, something very unusual occurred when the soldiers came to break the legs of Jesus.
Ensuring Prophesy Was Fulfilled in the Crucifixion of Jesus
(Verses 32-33) The soldiers had already broken the legs of the other two criminals. When they arrived upon Jesus to break His legs, they found something very unusual.
Jesus was already dead. You see, Jesus was crucified at 9am and by 3pm he was dead. Remember, being crucified purposely resulted in a slow and agonizing death. But with Jesus, He died six hours after they nailed Him to the cross.
How did this happen?
God, even while separated from His Son, was working to make sure that the prophesies of the crucifixion of Jesus would be fulfilled.
What were those fulfilled prophesies?
“They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations.” (Numbers 9:12)
Part of God’s law for the Passover was that the lamb being sacrificed had to be unblemished. They were also not to break a single bone of the lamb. Since Jesus became the sacrificial lamb to fulfill the ultimate Passover, not a bone on His body could be broken.
Divine powers made certain that He was dead and that there was no need to break His legs. Otherwise, Old Testament prophesy would have gone unfulfilled. And this has never happened nor will it ever.
“he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.” (Psalm 34:20)
It’s truly amazing to read these words and see how true and faithful are God’s words.
More Prophecies Were Fulfilled in the Crucifixion of Jesus
(Verses 34-35) The Roman soldiers took measures to make sure Jesus was dead. They pierced His side without breaking any bones as was foretold. This piercing of Jesus’ side was another fulfilled prophecy foretold in the book of Zechariah.
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (Zechariah 12:10)
In this passage from the prophet Zechariah, the prophet is talking specifically about the day of Jesus’ Second Coming. When Jesus returns and descends upon the Mount of Olives, the Jews will finally look upon Him as their Messiah. The will finally believe when the veil of spiritual blindness is removed.
(Verses 38-42) Scripture reveals to us that both Nicodemus and Arimathea were wealthy men. This act of caring and burial preparation for Jesus’ body demonstrates that Jesus had an impact on the lives of these two men. Enough that they would risk their lives at the expense of some of their wealth to ensure Jesus received a proper burial as was custom.
<< John 19:17-27 “The Crucifixion of Jesus” | “Why Does Mary Magdalene Find an Empty Tomb?” John 20:1-17 >>