Prophecies About Jesus’ Death and Resurrection (Preparing for Easter)

As we approach Easter, one of the most significant events in the Christian calendar, it’s essential to reflect on the prophetic scriptures that pointed toward the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. From the very beginning of Scripture, God laid out His divine plan of salvation, which would culminate in the ultimate sacrifice and victory over death. The prophecies concerning Jesus’ death and resurrection are woven throughout the Old Testament, offering profound insights into God’s redemptive purpose and how Jesus perfectly fulfilled them.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the key prophecies about Jesus' death and resurrection and their fulfillment in the New Testament, demonstrating God's sovereign plan and the certainty of Christ’s mission.

1. Jesus' Suffering and Sacrifice: Isaiah 53

One of the most powerful and detailed prophecies about Jesus’ suffering is found in Isaiah 53. Written centuries before Jesus' birth, this passage paints a vivid picture of the suffering servant who would bear the sins of many. This prophecy is so clear and accurate that it is often referred to as the “suffering servant passage,” and it foretells the physical and spiritual suffering that Jesus would endure on the cross.

Isaiah 53:3-5 says:

“He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
— Isaiah 53:3-5 (ESV)

This prophecy describes the rejection, suffering, and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The phrase “pierced for our transgressions” is particularly significant, as it foreshadows Jesus’ crucifixion, where His hands and feet were nailed to the cross. The suffering servant would bear the weight of humanity’s sins, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for reconciliation between God and mankind.

Fulfillment:

In the Gospels, we see Jesus’ suffering fulfilled to the letter. In Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19, we witness Jesus' rejection by the religious leaders, His flogging, the mockery He endured, and the brutal crucifixion that fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus, though innocent, bore our sins on the cross, offering us peace with God through His sacrifice.

2. The Betrayal by Judas: Psalm 41:9

The betrayal of Jesus by one of His closest followers, Judas Iscariot, was another fulfillment of prophecy. In Psalm 41:9, David writes:

“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.”
— Psalm 41:9 (ESV)

This verse speaks of a close companion who would betray the one they were supposed to support. It prophetically points to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, one of the twelve disciples, for thirty pieces of silver.

Fulfillment:

In the New Testament, the betrayal by Judas is recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6, and John 13:18-30). Judas, once a trusted follower, sold Jesus to the religious leaders for thirty pieces of silver, leading to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. This was a direct fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 41:9.

3. Jesus' Hands and Feet Will Be Pierced: Psalm 22:16

In Psalm 22, David writes a vivid description of suffering that clearly points to the crucifixion of Jesus. Psalm 22:16 says:

“For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.”
— Psalm 22:16 (ESV)

This prophecy is significant because it explicitly mentions the piercing of Jesus’ hands and feet an act that was not common in David’s time but is central to Jesus’ crucifixion. This passage portrays the emotional, physical, and spiritual agony that Jesus would experience on the cross.

Fulfillment:

In the Gospel accounts of Jesus' crucifixion, we see that His hands and feet were indeed pierced with nails. John 19:34-37 records that Jesus was nailed to the cross, and to verify His death, a Roman soldier pierced His side with a spear. His hands and feet were literally pierced, fulfilling the prophecy in Psalm 22.

4. Jesus' Resurrection After Three Days: Jonah 1:17

One of the most well-known prophecies about the resurrection of Jesus comes from the story of Jonah. In Jonah 1:17, we read:

“And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”
— Jonah 1:17 (ESV)

Though this passage is about Jonah’s experience being swallowed by the fish, Jesus Himself draws a parallel between Jonah’s time in the fish and His own resurrection. In Matthew 12:40, Jesus says:

“For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
— Matthew 12:40 (ESV)

Fulfillment:

Jesus’ resurrection on the third day after His death is the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy. Just as Jonah was in the fish for three days, Jesus was in the tomb for three days before being resurrected. This powerful act of resurrection affirmed Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the fulfillment of all that had been prophesied.

5. The Resurrection and Exaltation of Jesus: Psalm 16:10

In Psalm 16:10, David speaks of the preservation of the righteous one from death:

“For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.”
— Psalm 16:10 (ESV)

This is a prophetic reference to Jesus' resurrection, indicating that God would not allow His “holy one” (the Messiah) to remain in the grave or undergo decay.

Fulfillment:

Peter references this prophecy in Acts 2:31-32, declaring that Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled this promise. Jesus’ body did not undergo decay in the tomb, but instead, on the third day, He rose from the dead, conquering death and securing eternal life for all who believe.

Conclusion:

The prophecies about Jesus' death and resurrection show that God had a plan from the beginning to redeem humanity through His Son. From His betrayal to His crucifixion and ultimately His resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament, demonstrating that God's plan of salvation was not an afterthought but a divine design unfolding throughout history.

As we prepare for Easter, it is vital to reflect on these prophetic scriptures and the way in which Jesus perfectly fulfilled them. His death and resurrection bring us forgiveness, hope, and eternal life. Let us approach this Easter season with gratitude, awe, and worship for the fulfillment of God’s promises through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.