The Hebrew Scriptures, also known as the Old Testament, contain many prophecies and foreshadowings regarding the coming of the Messiah. Specifically, there are a number of passages that point to the Messiah’s death and resurrection.
Isaiah 53
One of the most well-known Messianic prophecies is found in Isaiah 53. This passage speaks extensively about the “Suffering Servant” who would bear the sins of the people, be rejected, sacrificed, and killed. Yet, after this suffering and death, the passage points to his resurrection and exaltation (Isaiah 53:10-12). The Suffering Servant is portrayed throughout Isaiah as an individual person and the Messiah. Thus, many interpret this as a prophecy about Jesus Christ’s death for the forgiveness of sins and his victorious resurrection.
Psalm 16
Psalm 16 is considered Messianic and depicts the righteous sufferer crying out to God for deliverance from death. In verse 10, it says his soul will not be abandoned to Sheol or let God’s Holy One see decay. Peter quotes this verse in Acts 2:27 as referring to Christ and his resurrection. He emphasizes that David, being dead and buried, could not have been speaking this about himself. Rather, David was prophesying the resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus.
Psalm 22
Psalm 22 starts with the same words Jesus cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). The psalm goes on to vividly portray the agony and mocking of the afflicted one, the piercing of hands and feet, casting lots for clothing, and being brought to the “dust of death” (Ps 22:15). Yet again, after this suffering, there is the expectation of deliverance and “he has done it!” (Ps 22:31). The psalm concludes with a declaration that God has listened and will be proclaimed from generation to generation. Thus, Psalm 22 points to the Messiah’s sacrificial death and vindication through resurrection.
Zechariah 12:10
Zechariah 12:10 says “they will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child.” God is speaking and seems to be identifying the one who is pierced as God himself. This points forward to Jesus on the cross and the piercing of his side. The people mourned when they realized it was their own Messiah they had pierced. Yet, his piercing was not the end, evidenced by Thomas’ encounter with the risen Jesus in John 20:27-28 where he touched Jesus’ scarred hands and side.
Hosea 6:2
In Hosea 6:2, we read “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” Though originally speaking of Israel, many see this as typology pointing towards Jesus’ death and resurrection “on the third day.” Paul teaches that Jesus’ resurrection represented new life for all those who identify with Him (1 Cor 15:20-22).
Jonah 1:17
The story of Jonah contains several foreshadowings of Christ’s death and resurrection. Jesus himself drew parallels between his coming death and resurrection and Jonah (Matt 12:39-41). Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights, as Jesus would be buried for three days. Yet after this entombment, Jonah was vomited out of the fish alive. Jesus used this typology to point towards his own resurrection.
Psalm 110:1
Psalm 110 pictures a divine king reigning in victory at God’s right hand. Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 22:44 to puzzle the Pharisees and prove that the Messiah would be both the Son of David and the Lord of David. Christ is David’s son, yet David calls him “Lord.” This points to Jesus’ full divine identity. Thus, Psalm 110 shows Jesus enthroned in heaven after his sacrificial death, proving he is the resurrected divine Messiah.
Genesis 22: Sacrifice of Isaac
Though not directly prophetic, Genesis 22 and the binding of Isaac is seen as a foreshadowing of the Messiah’s sacrificial death and resurrection. The parallels are striking – the only son bound and laid on the wood for sacrifice, carrying that wood up the hill, risen after figuratively receiving the death blow. Hebrews 11:17-19 says Abraham’s faith was evidenced by the belief that God could raise Isaac from the dead. Isaac thus becomes a type of Christ, miraculously spared by God substitute provision.
Psalm 118:22
Psalm 118, another royal psalm, contains the line “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (v. 22). Jesus identified himself as the stone the builders rejected who would become the cornerstone (Matt 21:42). Though rejected and put to death, he was raised again to become the foundation. Particularly in Acts 4:8-12, Psalm 118:22 is used to speak of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Job 19:25
After Job suffers intensely, seemingly abandoned, he proclaims hope that his “Redeemer lives!” (Job 19:25). Though in his suffering he longed for death and to be hidden away, he ultimately shows faith that his Redeemer will stand and vindicate him at the last. This points forward to Jesus, our great Redeemer, rising victorious over the suffering of death itself.
Foreshadowings of Resurrection
Beyond specific prophecies, patterns and events throughout the Old Testament foreshadow Christ’s resurrection. For example, the festival of Firstfruits was a celebration of the early harvest as a pledge of the full harvest to come. Jesus rose on the Day of Firstfruits, showing his resurrection as God’s pledge of the resurrection harvest still to come (1 Cor 15:20). Patterns like Israel rising from the waters of the Red Sea picture redemption from death’s grip. The dry bones of Ezekiel rising to life point to the Messiah who would rise victoriously from the dead. Thus, the Scriptures have woven shadows and echoes of the resurrected Messiah across many passages.
Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus
Christ and the New Testament writers highlight many Old Testament passages that found their fulfillment in Jesus. From predictions about his birth, to descriptions of his suffering and rejection, to clear declarations of resurrection, the Hebrew Scriptures contain the roots of the Gospel message. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection were no accident of history but rather the fulfillment of a redemptive plan long foretold. Only through God raising Jesus from the dead could the divine promises about the Messiah come true. His resurrection proved he was the long-expected One.
The Hebrew Scriptures were essential in helping the early disciples understand what happened with Jesus’ death and resurrection. They searched the Scriptures and found prophecies, patterns, and foreshadowings that made sense of the crucified and risen Messiah. Jesus rebuked those who failed to believe what the Scriptures said about him (Luke 24:25-27). May we have eyes to see the testimonies to Christ throughout all of God’s Word.
