And he said to them: These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. (Luke 24:44)

Many Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ. The following list mentions some prophecies that all came true on a single day – the day of his capture and crucifixion.

1) A friend betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver.

– “Even the man of my peace, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, lifted up his heel against me” (Ps 41:10). – “They weighed out my wages: thirty shekels of silver” (Zech. 11:12).

– “Immediately he came to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi,’ and kissed him very much. And Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, why have you come? Then they came and laid their hands on Jesus and seized him” (Mt 26:49, 50). – “Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you? And they set him thirty pieces of silver. And from then on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over” (Mt 26:14-16).

2) The 30 pieces of silver were thrown into the temple and used to buy a field.

– “Then the LORD said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter, the great prize of which I am esteemed worthy by them. So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD, the potter” (Zech 11:13).

– “And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple and departed and went and hanged himself. But they took counsel and bought the potter’s field as a burial place for the strangers” (Mt 27:5, 7).

3) His disciples abandoned him.

– “Strike the shepherd, and the flock will be scattered” (Zech 13:7).

– “Then the disciples all left him and fled” (Mt 26:56).

4) He was falsely accused, beaten, and spat upon.

– “Unjust witnesses arise” (Ps 35:11). – “I offered my back to the smiters and my cheeks to the scufflers; I did not hide my face from shame and spittle” (Isa 50:6).

– “But the chief priests and the whole synod sought false witness against Jesus to put him to death; and they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. But at last two came forward … Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists, and some struck him in the face” (Mt 26:59, 60, 67).

5) He remained silent before his judges.

– “He was mistreated, but he bowed down and did not open his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is dumb before its shearers; and he did not open his mouth” (Is 53:7).

– “And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many things they bring against you? And he did not answer him a single word, so that the governor was greatly astonished” (Matthew 27:12-14).

6) He was offered gall and vinegar.

– “And they put gall into my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink” (Ps 69:22).

– “They gave him wine mixed with gall to drink; and when he had tasted it, he would not drink. … And immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar and put it around a reed staff and gave him something to drink” (Mt 27:34, 48).

7) He was crucified with lawless men.

– “Therefore will I give him a portion with the many, and with the mighty will he divide the spoil, because he hath poured out his soul unto death, and is numbered with the transgressors” (Isa 53:12).

– “Then two thieves will be crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left” (Mt 27:38).

8) Lots were cast over his robe.

– “They divide my garments among them, and over my vesture they cast lots” (Ps 22:19).

– “And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among themselves by casting lots” (Mt 27:35).

9) He was mocked while hanging on the cross.

– “All who see me mock me; they curl their lips and shake their heads. Trust in the Lord! – He will save him, deliver him, because he delights in him!” (Ps 22:8, 9).

– “In the same way, the chief priests and the scribes and elders mocked him, saying: He has saved others, but he cannot save himself. He is Israel’s King; let him come down from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God, who will save him now if he desires him, for he said, “I am the Son of God” (Matthew 27:41-43).

10) He prayed for his enemies.

– “He has borne the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors” (Is 53:12).

– “But Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing'” (Luke 23:34).

11) His friends stayed away.

– “My loved ones and my comrades are far from my plague, and my relatives are far from me” (Ps 38:12).

– “But all his acquaintances stood afar off, even the women who had followed him from Galilee, and saw this” (Luke 23:49).

12) God forsook him.

– “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Ps 22:2).

– “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani, that is, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46).

13) He committed his spirit to the Father.

– “Into your hand I commend my spirit” (Ps 31:6).

– “And Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. And when he had said this, he died” (Luke 23:46).

14) He was laid in the tomb of a rich man.

– “And his grave was made with the wicked; but with a rich man he was in his death” (Isaiah 53:9).

– “Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be handed over to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean, fine linen cloth and laid it in his new tomb, which he had had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away” (Mt 27:57-60).

The prophets of God clearly marked Jesus’ life and suffering in advance. This shows how important God is about what concerns his Son. These precise prophecies also make it clear that God was in no way surprised by the rejection of his Son; rather, his great plan was fulfilled.

When we look at the Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, it should have the same effect on us as it did on the Emmaus disciples: burning hearts (Luke 24:32).