In the gospel accounts of the crucifixion of Christ, one finds the fulfillment of several Old Testament passages. Psalm 22 is one such prophecy. In this post I would like to compare this Psalm with the corresponding verses found in the four gospels, showing how it was fulfilled in the events of Jesus death on the cross.
This Psalm begins with the cry, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Jesus utters this phrase in a loud voice while on the cross, shortly before He yielded up His spirit (Matt 26:46, Mark 15:34). By this, Jesus is applying this Psalm to Himself, and we will see that the events of that day are indeed foretold here. While on the cross, suffering, bearing the sin of mankind, He indeed felt the abandonment of His Father. Yet we also see another prophecy fulfilled concerning the resurrection, where God will not abandon His soul to the grave, or allow His Holy One to undergo decay (Psalm 16:8-11 compared to Acts 2:23-28).
Next we read in Psalm 22:6-8 of the mockery and rejection Jesus faced. Isaiah 53:3 speaks of how Jesus was to be despised by men. The gospel accounts show that the crowds despised and rejected Christ at His arrest and trial (Matt 27:20-26, Mark 15:9-15, Luke 23:13-25, John 19:1-16). They rejected an innocent man, and not only a man, but the sinless Son of God, and chose Barabbas to be released to them. He was a murderer and insurrectionist.
Psalm 22:7-8 foretell the jeers of the Scribes, chief priests and elders, as they mocked Him while He hung on the cross. Matthew 27:41-44 records how they taunted Him saying, He saved others but He cannot save Himself " and, " He trusts in God, let God rescue Him."This is almost word for word what is recorded in the Psalm we are studying. (see also Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:35-37)
Psalm 22:12-16 speak of the cruelty of the scourging, the mockery of the Roman soldiers, the crown of thorns, and ultimately the crucifixion itself. As the soldiers stretched Jesus out on the cross and nailed His hands and feet to the beams He was surrounded by strong bulls and roaring lions. As He hung on the cross, struggling to breath, His life literally poured out of Him. His bones would have been put out of joint by the act of crucifixion, and now as He struggled for each gasp of air He lost all strength. He would reach the point of extreme thirst before He breathed His last and gave up His spirit.
Psalm 22:17 Records that He can count all of His bones. We read in John 19:33-36 how the Soldiers broke the legs of the other men to hasten their deaths. When they came to Jesus however, He was already dead. They then thrust a spear into His side to insure He was dead, but they did not break His legs. Exodus 12:46 states that no bone of the passover lamb was to be broken (Numbers 9:12). Psalm 34:19-20 also states that The LORD delivers the righteous from all of his afflictions. He guards all of his bones, not one of them is broken. This finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ Jesus.
Next we read about the soldiers dividing His garments, and casting lots for them (Psalm 22:18). This happened, and is recorded in Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, John 19:23-25.
Finally we see a prayer for deliverance. Psalm 22:19-22 records a cry for help, a plea that the LORD would not be far off, and that He would hasten to deliver from death. This plea ends with a proclamation of praise which is also recorded in Hebrews 2:12. The context of this verse is the suffering and death of Jesus for us, so that we could be sanctified and called His brethren (Hebrews 2:9-12).