Predicting the Passion

Jesus said that the Old Testament scriptures spoke of His life, death and resurrection: Luke 24:13-27. There are over four hundred Messianic prophecies. Let's see how many of the key events in passion week - the betrayal, suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ - were prophesied hundreds of years before they occurred. 

Betrayal in Gethsemane
Jesus is betrayed by a close friend, while His disciples scatter.

David (1000 BC): "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me" (Psalm 41:9; cf. Mark 14:20 and John 13:21-27).

Zechariah (500 BC): "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered" (Zechariah 13:7; cf. Matthew 26:31).

Isaiah (700 BC): "He was numbered with the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12; cf. Luke 22:37). 

Thirty Pieces of Silver
Judas' thirty pieces of silver are used to buy the Potter's Field. See Matthew 27:3-10 and Acts 1:18-19.
Zechariah (500 BC): "I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"- the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter" (Zechariah 11:12-13). 

Jesus in Jewish and Roman custody
Jesus is silent when questioned, is beaten with a rod and then offered gall/vinegar as a painkiller.

Isaiah (700 BC): "As a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Fulfilled in Matthew 26:62-63.

Micah (700 BC):"They will strike Israel's ruler on the cheek with a rod" (Micah 5:1). Fulfilled exactly in Mark 15:19 "Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff."

David (1000 BC): "They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst." Psalm 69:21. This was fulfilled twice during the passion, in Matthew 27:34 and Matthew 27:48. 

The Crucifixion: Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53
Two Old Testament prophets describe the suffering of the cross. Isaiah (700 BC) speaks concerning the cross and its spiritual meaning (See Isaiah 53 and compare with Romans 4:25 and 1 Corinthians 15:3); while David (1000 BC) speaks of the physical nature of the Messiah's suffering. He perfectly describes a Roman crucifixion in Psalm 22, many centuries before it had been devised. The following verses are fulfilment in Mark 15:24-34.

* Psalm 22:1 fulfilled in Mark 15:34.
* Psalm 22:6-8 fulfilled in Mark 15:29-32.
* Psalm 22:14-18 fulfilled throughout and in especially Mark 15:24.

See also:
* Psalm 34:20 fulfilled in John 19:33.
* Zechariah 12:10 refers to the "pierced" Messiah.
* John 19:29 may be an allusion to the Exodus (12:22) 

Death and Resurrection
Isaiah (700 AD): "He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death." Isaiah 53:9. This was fulfilled in Matthew 27:57-60: "As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea... who...took the body... and placed it in his own new tomb."

David (1000 BC) spoke of Jesus' resurrection, when he wrote, "You will not abandon me to the place of the dead, nor will you let your Holy One see decay" (Psalm 16:10). Both Peter (Acts 2:25-33) and Paul (Acts 13:35-37) used this verse to preach the resurrected Jesus.