Isaiah 53:7, Psalm 22:16-18, Zechariah 11:12-13
The Most Prophetically Dense Week in History
No week in human history was more comprehensively foretold than the week of the passion of Jesus Christ. The betrayal, the price paid for His betrayal, His silence before His accusers, the details of the crucifixion, the casting of lots for His clothing, the offer of vinegar to drink, the burial with the rich — each detail was anticipated in Old Testament Scripture centuries before it occurred.
The Major Passion Prophecies
Betrayal by a close friend (Psalm 41:9). "Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me." Jesus quotes this directly in John 13:18 in reference to Judas.
Thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13). The prophet Zechariah, acting out a parable of the rejected shepherd, is paid thirty pieces of silver — which he then throws "into the house of the Lord, to the potter." Matthew 27:3-10 records the precise fulfilment: Judas returned the thirty pieces of silver to the temple, and it was used to buy a potter's field.
Silence before accusers (Isaiah 53:7). "Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." Fulfilled in the trial before Pilate (Matthew 27:12-14) — Pilate marvelled that He gave no answer.
Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16). "They have pierced my hands and feet." Crucifixion — a form of execution not yet invented when David wrote Psalm 22.
Lots cast for clothing (Psalm 22:18). "They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." Fulfilled in precise detail in John 19:23-24 — the soldiers divided His clothes but cast lots for the seamless tunic.
Vinegar offered to drink (Psalm 69:21). "For my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink." Fulfilled in John 19:28-30.
No bones broken (Psalm 34:20, Exodus 12:46). "He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken." The Passover lamb's bones were not to be broken. John explicitly notes (19:36) that the soldiers did not break Jesus' legs — fulfilling the Psalm and the Passover type simultaneously.
Side pierced (Zechariah 12:10). "They will look on me, on him whom they have pierced." Fulfilled in John 19:34-37.