Cross, predictions of

The death of Jesus Christ fulfils OT predictions and was clearly anticipated in his teaching.

The cross foreshadowed in the OT

Psalm 22:1 See also Genesis 3:15; Psalm 22:6–7, Psalm 22:16–18, Psalm 31:5, Psalm 69:21; Isaiah 52:12–13; Zechariah 12:10, Zechariah 13:7

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?

Jesus Christ predicts his death on the cross

Jesus Christ's first announcement of his death

Matthew 16:21 parallels Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22

From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Jesus Christ's second announcement of his death

Matthew 17:22–23 See also Mark 9:31

When they gathered together in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life.” And the disciples were deeply grieved.

Jesus Christ's third announcement of his death

Matthew 20:18–19 parallels Mark 10:33–34, Luke 18:31–33

“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.”

Other allusions to the cross

In the teaching of Jesus Christ

Matthew 26:31 See also Matthew 20:22 parallel Mark 10:38; Matthew 26:2; Mark 2:19–20, Mark 10:45; Luke 9:44, Luke 22:42JHN Luke 3:14, John 8:28, John 12:32–33 John 18:11

Then Jesus said to them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

In history

Matthew 17:9–13 John the Baptist's fate indicates what is to happen to Jesus Christ.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone about this vision until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

In the experience of Jesus Christ

Matthew 26:12 parallel Mark 14:8 Jesus Christ's reaction to the woman anointing him seems to suggest that he will die the death of a criminal.

By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial.

In the Lord's Supper

Matthew 26:26–28 parallels Mark 14:22–25, Luke 22:19–20

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

God's perfect timing for Jesus Christ's death on the cross

John 2:4 See also John 7:6, John 7:8, John 7:30, John 8:20, John 13:1, John 17:1

“Woman, what is that to you and to Me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

The curse of the cross

Deuteronomy 21:22–23 To be nailed to a cross is the equivalent of being hanged on a tree. See also Acts 5:30; Galatians 3:10–13; 1 Peter 2:24

If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.