Acts 3:18-26 ESV 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.' 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.
Standing on Solomon’s Porch, here in Acts chapter three, Peter continues his message to his Jewish audience. He has just spoken the piercing words “You killed the Author of life who God raised from the dead” and now continues his sermon further expounding on biblical truth. Verse 16 reveals that faith in Jesus was the reason that the lame man was healed and verse 17 brings his audience to a better understanding that while they were responsible for their actions it was all part of a greater plan. He tells them that they acted in ignorance Acts 3:17 (ESV): “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers” but certainly does not excuse their behavior. Beginning at verse 18 we see how his audience is called to understand the prophecies of the Messiah’s suffering and how the suffering of Jesus is intricately woven throughout the Old Testament. It is estimated that there are over 300 specific prophecies concerning the suffering of Jesus in the Old Testament alone. This devotion seeks to unravel some of these threads, drawing from Old Testament prophecies, the words of Jesus Himself, and the apostolic exposition to illuminate the redemptive narrative foretold centuries ago. It is likely that this devotion will become a more in-depth bible study in the future as we prayerfully seek the Lord’s guidance.
Genesis 3:15 – The first mention
Our journey into the prophecy of Jesus’ suffering begins in the garden, where the consequences of humanity’s disobedience unfold. In Genesis 3:15 (ESV), God speaks of enmity between the offspring of the woman and the serpent:
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
This verse, known as the protoevangelium, speaks of the Messiah’s ultimate victory despite the foreseen suffering. The imagery of bruising the heel suggests temporary suffering while bruising the head signifies a triumphant and decisive blow
Moses – Deut 18:16-18
Deuteronomy 18:16-19 (KJV): “16 According to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. 17 And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. 18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.”
We know that they would not heed to Jesus’ words and crucified Him. “He came unto His own and His own received Him not”
Isaiah 53:3-5 – The Suffering Servant
Isaiah, often referred to as the prophet of the suffering servant, paints a vivid picture of Jesus’ sacrificial mission. In Isaiah 53:3-5 (ESV), the suffering servant is described as despised, rejected, and acquainted with grief:
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed.”
Jeremiah 31:31-34 – The New Covenant
Jeremiah contributes with a vision of a new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34 (ESV). This covenant, distinct from the one made during the exodus, involves God writing His law on the hearts of His people:
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
This anticipates the transformative nature of Jesus’ sacrifice, providing a path for repentance and the blotting out of sins.
Daniel 9:25-26 – The Anointed One Cut Off
Daniel, in his vision of seventy weeks, foretells a timeline leading to the coming of an anointed one who would be cut off. In Daniel 9:25-26 (ESV), the prophecy aligns with the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, depicting a specific period culminating in the crucifixion:
“Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks, it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing.”
Micah 5:2 – Bethlehem’s Significance
Micah contributes a prophecy in Micah 5:2 (ESV), highlighting the significance of Bethlehem:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
The verse speaks of a ruler coming from Bethlehem whose origins are from ancient times. This points to Jesus’s birthplace, emphasizing the promised Messiah’s divine nature.
Zechariah 12:10 – The Pierced One
In Zechariah 12:10 (ESV), the prophet speaks of a future mourning for the one who is pierced:
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.”
This poignant imagery finds resonance in the crucifixion of Jesus, emphasizing the sorrowful yet redemptive nature of His sacrifice.
David – Psalm 22
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
So much more can be written today! The prophecies of David alone are so very heartbreaking. I pray that we all live in ” The Shadow of His Cross” What a profound impact that has on us. To remember how much our savior endured for you and me.
Jesus’ Own Words: Anticipating Suffering
Turning our gaze to the New Testament, we find Jesus Himself foretelling His impending suffering. In Matthew 20:28 (ESV), He declares that He came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many:
“even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The narrative in Matthew 26:39 (ESV) reveals Jesus’ anguished prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, acknowledging the cup of suffering He was about to bear:
“And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'”
If only we read this one Bible chapter if would change us. His prayer in the garden so profound and convicting.
Luke 9:22 – The Son of Man Must Suffer
In Luke 9:22 (ESV), Jesus explicitly foretells His own suffering:
“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Luke 24:2 (ESV) – Jesus Preaching Prophecy
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
John 12:32-33 – Lifted Up for Salvation
In John 12:32-33 (ESV), Jesus speaks of His upcoming crucifixion:
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John adds, “He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”
Acts 3:18-26 – Fulfilled Prophecy and Redemption
Now, we arrive at our focal point in Acts 3:18-26 (ESV), where Peter boldly declares the fulfillment of these prophetic threads. He proclaims that what God foretold through the prophets about the suffering of the Messiah, He fulfilled in Jesus. Peter refers to Moses, Isaiah, and all the prophets, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of these prophecies:
“But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.”
The apostle underscores the necessity of repentance and turning back, echoing the themes found in Jeremiah’s vision of the new covenant. Acts 3:22 cites Moses, who spoke of a prophet like him from among the brothers. This aligns with the prophetic anticipation of a significant figure, and Peter asserts that those who do not listen to this prophet will be cut off.
Peter continues to weave together the tapestry of prophecy, connecting the covenant made with Abraham to the blessing for all families through the offspring. In Acts 3:26, the apostle brings the narrative full circle, affirming that God, having raised up His servant, sent Him to bless and turn people away from their wickedness:
“God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
The Story of Redemption
In the grand narrative of Scripture, the suffering of Jesus emerges as the focal point of divine redemption. The Old Testament prophecies, intertwined with the words of Jesus Himself and the apostolic exposition in Acts 3:18-26, form a tapestry that reveals the meticulous plan of God. The suffering servant promised from the beginning, fulfills His mission, providing redemption, healing, and blessing to all who turn to Him, and without His cross, there could be no crown. May we live in “The Sadow of His Cross” every day.
Thank you for your insight. It starts my day and keeps me focused on Jesus and how we are to be more like Jesus.
Thank you Judy. It is a please to study with you. B