Depending on who you ask, there are anywhere from 300 to 1239 prophecies that Jesus fulfilled, is fulfilling or will fulfill. We will not go as high as 1239 and we are not even comfortable with some of the subjective ones (i.e., Hosea 11:1) that others point to as prophetic. However, I hope that we would agree that even if Jesus fulfilled only 3 of the vast number of Messianic prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures … that there must be something unique and wonderful and special about Jesus of Nazareth.
Additionally, the likelihood that one person could fulfill 3 prophecies written by 3 different writers written over a 400-year period would stretch mathematical probability … correct? So, we have decided to look at simply 3 prophecies in this section but we will be glad to look at more with you if you would to engage in further discussion with us.
What are those 3 prophecies – Daniel 9; Psalm 22; and Isaiah 53. We did not pick them because they are related to the “Easter” story but because these three passages are relatively ignored by Rabbinic Jewish scholars (additionally they are never read in the synagogue) and we think you should explore the answer as to why. Are you ready?
Daniel 9:24-27 – The When
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (King James Version – Public Domain)
Of all the Messianic prophecies in the Tanakh, Daniel 9:24-27 (especially verses 25-26 in bold) is one of the most complicated and convoluted because it involves a strict time and deadline.
There is a wide variety of possible options for interpretation. Rabbi Isaac Troki, one of the first of what we might call “anti-missionaries,” argued that Daniel 9 came about when Cyrus order the rebuilding of the Temple in Ezra and 1 & 2 Chronicles 36. However, there are a couple of problems with Troki’s argument:
NOW YOU SHOULD BE ASKING YOURSELF ABOUT NOW … WHY WAS THIS RABBI TROKI SO DESPERATE TO HOLD ON TO THE 63 BCE DATE?
GOOD QUESTION! The idea of a week in Daniel 9 has always been understood in the Jewish and Christian world, especially in relationship to prophesy, as seven years. Therefore, 69 (or 483 years) from the 536 BCE Cyrus decree, would have us ending up at 63 BCE for “Messiah the Prince” or “anointed leader” as the JPS translates it to appear. However, nothing happened in this period except Roman oppression. Is there another option aside from just disregarding this prophecy as mere allegory? We think so …
The other and better option is to consider this fulfillment as beginning with the order from King Artaxerxes to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem which happened in c. 445/444 BCE (see also Nehemiah 2:4-5). Based on this dating for verse 25, one sees the actual fulfillment coming to fruition in 29/30 CE – or around the date a certain Jewish carpenter from Nazareth rode through Jerusalem streets on a white donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4, 5) BTW, this is another prophecy we could discuss if you want.
However, and while Explore Messiah…? believes that Jesus makes infinitely more logical sense in answering the WHEN? Question. It is the relative avoidance of Daniel 9 by anti-missionaries and the silence in the synagogues that should make you ask – WHY? Now, I think you know. So, now let’s go to the second prophecy which answers the HOW? Messianic Question…
Psalm 22 – The How (Read It All)
“Jakov” was an Israeli Jewish believer, and we were having lunch together at a typical NYC diner. He was sharing with me how he came to faith in Messiah Jesus. It was a fascinating story; however, it was his explanation of Psalm 22 that most grabbed my attention over that fried egg sandwich lunch.
Jakov explained to me what had never been related to me before about 1st century Judaism. He said that when Jesus proclaimed on the cross at 3:00 p.m., “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” (Mark 15:34) that every good Jewish male standing there above the age of 13 would have had two things immediately gone through their mind:
Why was Jesus “Commandeering” this Davidic and Messianic Psalm for himself?
Psalm 22 (JPS Verse Numbering) | Matthew 27 and John 19 (cf. John 20:24-28) |
Verse 2 – “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me…” | Matthew 27:46 – Jesus proclaims this verse on the cross |
Verses 7-8 – Lament over being mocked and derided by men | Matthew 27:39-44 – Temple priests and others come to mock Jesus on the cross |
Verses 15 – Bones are disjointed but not broken | John 19:31-33 – None of Jesus’ bones were broken |
Verses 15-16 – Description of dehydration and severe cramping (David Terasaka, MD) | John 19:28-29 – Jesus describes himself as being thirsty |
Verse 17 – Hands and feet are pierced (see below for more explanation on this verse) | John 20:24-28 – Jesus was pierced in His hands and feet |
Verses 18-19 – Mocked over exposure to the people and clothing is considered as nothing but to gambled over | John 19:24; Matthew 27:35-36 – Jesus was crucified nude and his garments were gambled for by Roman soldiers |
Verses 21-22 – Sought deliverance from the sword | John 19:33-34 – Jesus did not die from the spear that was thrust into His heart as he was already dead |
The consequences of the victory that began with this psalm in verse 1 show us that there is something more than just a Davidic psalm. Verses 24-31 of Psalm 22 tell us that the death of Jesus is not the end of the story. The Messiah of Psalm 22 is not only vindicated with the gift of resurrection but also even those who have not yet been born will received the benefit of His righteousness (or what is called charity/tzedakah today) because what He has done for us.
“Pierced” vs. “Like a Lion”
Isaiah 53: The Who (Read It All)
YES … this passage! You have probably heard about this passage discussed in hushed whispers around the synagogue or at the Seder table. However, may I ask you a question – have you ever read this passage for yourself or heard it read in the synagogue?
Isaiah 53 is not included in any of the Haftarah portion readings – and I would “guesstimate” that 99% of the Jewish people have never studied the passage for themselves. Have you?
So … let’s examine three of the verses of Isaiah 53, especially the all-important fifth verse … but please explore the whole chapter for your own edification:
Isaiah 53:4-6 – Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (KJV – Public Domain)
Perhaps you are thinking or have been told that Christians have altered the wording of Isaiah 53 to make it read like a certain Jewish carpenter from Nazareth? This would answer the “elephant in the room” question – would it not? Well … let’s examine the all crucial verse five from not one but two Jewish Bible translations:
JPS, 1999 – But he was wounded because of our sins. Crushed because of our iniquities. He bore the chastisement that made us whole. And by his bruises we were healed.
Chabad Translation of The Complete Jewish Bible – But he was pained because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; the chastisement of our welfare was upon him, and his would we were healed.
Not a whole lot of differences are there? And actually, we prefer the JPS (1999) word “crushed” over “bruised”. Therefore, just who is this person who suffered so much for the people. Who is this person who was wounded, crushed, bore the chastisement and bruises for the others?
Rabbinic/Modern Judaism has a few leading candidates but each of them has a few impossible flaws…
CANDIDATES | FLAWS |
Cyrus of Persia | Cyrus was a PAGAN king who never suffered for Israel (Isaiah 45:1-7) |
Moses | Moses suffered in a metaphorical way for Israel BUT he promised another prophet still to come (Deuteronomy 18) |
King Hezekiah | King Hezekiah was a godly king BUT he was guilty of the sin of pride AND never suffered for the people of Israel (Isaiah 38:1-8) |
People of Israel | The people of Israel have suffered a great deal over time for themselves … BUT the pronouns of Isaiah 53 require a single individual to suffer for the sins of Israel and the world (REMEMBER THIS TRUTH) |
Prophet Jeremiah | The 2004 Jewish Study Bible have tried to get around those sticky pronoun issues of Isaiah 53 by proposing Jeremiah the prophet. He suffered for the people’s sins throughout the book of Jeremiah; HOWEVER, Jeremiah comes from a priestly and non-Davidic line despite what BT Megillah 14b says. Additionally, there is a interpretation problem and it comes from Jeremiah himself – 31:31-40; 33:14-18 and 23:5 (see below) – Behold, the days come, saith the LORD that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. |
Jeremiah knew that he did not qualify for the role of Messiah because he knew the qualifications set out by the prophet Isaiah …
So … we have presented only 3 of the prophecies that we could have presented. There are others and we did sneak in one more with Zechariah 9:9 that we could have shared with you and we are willing to present more. How did we do? Did we present an intriguing argument for Jesus to be the Messiah? Do we need to present more Messianic prophecies such as Micah 5:2 and Isaiah 7:14 or Numbers 24:17? Let’s discuss them and others in the CAFÉ Kehillah Discussion Board!