[[Matt-27]] Prev: [[Prophecies in Matt-26]] | Next: [[Prophecies in Matt-28]] --- ### Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, "They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced, and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me." *Type*: fulfillment *Summary*: The chief priests used the thirty pieces of silver returned by Judas to buy a potter's field for burying strangers, fulfilling prophetic imagery associated with a price set on a life and a potter. *Historical context*: While Matthew attributes this to Jeremiah, the specific details regarding the thirty pieces of silver and the potter match [[Zech-11#v12|Zechariah 11:12]]-13. Scholars suggest this may be a composite citation or that Jeremiah was the first book in the scroll of the Prophets. The 'Field of Blood' (Akeldama) is a historically documented site in the Hinnom Valley used for burials. *Related to*: [[Zech-11#v12|Zechariah 11:12]]-13 ### they gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink. *Type*: fulfillment *Summary*: During the crucifixion, Jesus was offered a bitter drink of vinegar/sour wine mixed with gall. *Historical context*: This event is widely recognized as the fulfillment of [[Ps-69#v21|Psalm 69:21]]. Offering sour wine (posca) was a common practice by Roman soldiers, but the addition of gall or myrrh was often intended to act as a mild narcotic to dull pain, which Jesus refused in order to remain conscious. *Related to*: [[Ps-69#v21|Psalm 69:21]] ### When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots, *Type*: fulfillment *Summary*: Roman soldiers divided Jesus' garments and determined ownership by casting lots. *Historical context*: This fulfills the specific prediction in [[Ps-22#v18|Psalm 22:18]]. Under Roman law (*spoliarium*), the clothing of a person executed was the property of the executioners. This act reflects the total humiliation of the victim, stripped of all earthly possessions. *Related to*: [[Ps-22#v18|Psalm 22:18]] ### Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left. *Type*: fulfillment *Summary*: Jesus was executed alongside common criminals, identifying him with lawbreakers in his death. *Historical context*: Theologians identify this as the fulfillment of the 'Suffering Servant' prophecy in [[Isa-53#v12|Isaiah 53:12]], which states he would be 'numbered with the transgressors.' This served the Roman purpose of associating the victim with common banditry to discredit their movement. *Related to*: [[Isa-53#v12|Isaiah 53:12]] ### Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads... Likewise the chief priests also mocking... said... "He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" *Type*: fulfillment *Summary*: The crowds and religious leaders mocked Jesus with specific gestures and words, challenging God to rescue him. *Historical context*: These specific actions—wagging heads and the verbal taunt 'let God deliver him'—directly fulfill the descriptions in [[Ps-22#v7|Psalm 22:7]]-8. These behaviors were intended to reinforce the public shame and perceived divine abandonment of the crucified individual. *Related to*: [[Ps-22#v7|Psalm 22:7]]-8 ### The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. *Type*: fulfillment *Summary*: Upon the death of Jesus, an earthquake occurred, tombs were opened, and deceased holy people were resurrected, appearing in Jerusalem. *Historical context*: Scholars link this supernatural event to the prophecy in [[Ezek-37#v12|Ezekiel 37:12]], where God promises to open the graves of His people and bring them back to life. It is interpreted as a sign of the inauguration of the New Covenant and the defeat of death. *Related to*: [[Ezek-37#v12|Ezekiel 37:12]]-14 ### When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph... went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body... Joseph took the body... and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. *Type*: fulfillment *Summary*: Despite being executed as a criminal, Jesus was buried in an honorable, expensive tomb belonging to a wealthy man. *Historical context*: This fulfills [[Isa-53#v9|Isaiah 53:9]], which predicted the Servant would be 'with a rich man in his death.' Joseph of Arimathea is described as a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin, providing an honorable burial that contrasted with the typical mass burial or disposal of Roman execution victims. *Related to*: [[Isa-53#v9|Isaiah 53:9]] ### All the people answered, "May his blood be on us and on our children!" *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: The crowd accepts the moral responsibility for Jesus' death upon themselves and their descendants. *Historical context*: Theologians and historians often view this statement as a self-fulfilling prophecy or curse that was realized in the Siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, where the city suffered extreme casualties and a generation was largely destroyed or enslaved by Roman forces. *Related to*: ### "Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: 'After three days I will rise again.'" *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: The religious leaders recall Jesus' prediction that he would be resurrected three days after his death. *Historical context*: This refers to multiple instances where Jesus explicitly predicted his resurrection ([[Mat-16#v21|Matt 16:21]], 17:23, 20:19). The priests' request for a guard inadvertently set the stage for the documented fulfillment of this prophecy in the following chapter, ensuring there could be no claim of a stolen body. *Related to*: [[Matt-16#v21|Matthew 16:21]], 17:23, 20:19 --- #ai_prophecy