Introduction: Prophecies About Jesus Rejection by His People
The rejection of Jesus by His own people was foretold in numerous Old Testament prophecies. These predictions were tragically fulfilled during Jesus’ ministry when the Jewish people and their leaders refused to accept Him as the Messiah. The Jesus rejection culminated in the choice to release Barabbas, a criminal, over Jesus, showing how deeply these prophecies were fulfilled. This article examines the prophecies of Jesus rejection, their fulfillment, and includes non-biblical sources to allow further exploration.
See Bible Gateway for a scriptural reference.
1. Rejected by His Own People (Isaiah 53:3)
Prophecy: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” (Isaiah 53:3)
Fulfillment: John 1:11 records that Jesus “came to His own, but His own did not receive Him.” The widespread rejection of Jesus is evident throughout His ministry, particularly by the religious leaders who plotted against Him. Non-biblical sources, such as Flavius Josephus in his Antiquities of the Jews, indirectly reference the political tensions and the influence of Jewish authorities during this time, giving context to why Jesus faced rejection from key figures of His community.
2. A Stone of Stumbling (Isaiah 8:14)
Prophecy: “He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” (Isaiah 8:14)
Fulfillment: Jesus became a “stone of stumbling” to many, particularly the religious elite, as described in 1 Peter 2:7-8. His teachings and miracles conflicted with their expectations of the Messiah, causing many to reject Him. Early church fathers like Justin Martyr frequently referenced this prophecy in their writings, addressing the Jewish community’s difficulty in accepting Jesus as the Messiah.
3. Despised and Rejected by the Builders (Psalm 118:22)
Prophecy: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118:22)
Fulfillment: Jesus referenced this prophecy in Matthew 21:42, calling out the religious leaders who rejected Him. Even though He was rejected, He became the cornerstone of God’s plan of salvation. Non-biblical texts, such as the Babylonian Talmud, indirectly address the continued Jewish struggle with Jesus’ messianic claims, showing that the rejection carried into later Jewish tradition.
4. Rejected and Barabbas Freed (Isaiah 53:4-5)
Prophecy: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering… But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.”
Fulfillment: The ultimate rejection came when the crowd chose to release Barabbas, a known criminal, instead of Jesus. Matthew 27:20-26 recounts how the crowd, encouraged by religious leaders, chose Barabbas over Jesus. This choice fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus bearing the sins and suffering for others. The Roman historian Tacitus, in his Annals, references the crucifixion of Jesus, adding credibility to the biblical account of His rejection and the events that led to His crucifixion.
5. Betrayed by a Close Companion (Psalm 41:9)
Prophecy: “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” (Psalm 41:9)
Fulfillment: Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus is recorded in John 13:18, fulfilling this prophecy. Judas, one of Jesus’ closest followers, handed Him over to be crucified for thirty pieces of silver. Josephus also references the social dynamics in play during Jesus’ time, including internal conflicts within Jewish groups, giving further insight into the environment that enabled Judas’ betrayal.
6. Rejected as King (Zechariah 9:9-10)
Prophecy: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.”
Fulfillment: While Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by entering Jerusalem on a donkey, as seen in Matthew 21:5, the rejection of His kingship became fully evident when the people cried, “We have no king but Caesar!” during His trial before Pilate (John 19:15). This rejection of Jesus as King fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus rejection. Roman sources such as Pliny the Younger indirectly reflect the tension between early Christians and the Roman Empire, as they recognized Jesus’ kingship in contrast to Roman rule.
7. Rejected and Mocked (Psalm 22:6-8)
Prophecy: “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.”
Fulfillment: During Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, He was mocked by soldiers and bystanders. Matthew 27:39-43 recounts how they hurled insults at Him while He hung on the cross, fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus rejection. Tacitus, in his account of the crucifixion, adds historical weight to the reality of this mockery and the harsh treatment Jesus faced.
8. Silent Before His Accusers (Isaiah 53:7)
Prophecy: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”
Fulfillment: Jesus remained silent before His accusers during His trial, as recorded in Matthew 26:63. Despite the accusations and false charges, Jesus did not defend Himself, fulfilling the prophecy of His rejection. Roman records indicate that crucifixion victims were typically expected to plead their case, making Jesus’ silence even more notable.
Conclusion: Jesus Rejection Fulfilled in Prophecy
The Jesus rejection by His people was a tragic but crucial part of God’s redemptive plan. From the choice to free Barabbas to the mocking during His crucifixion, these events fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies. These prophecies, confirmed by both biblical and non-biblical sources such as Tacitus and Josephus, provide historical and theological depth to the account of Jesus’ rejection. For believers, the rejection of Jesus stands as a reminder of His ultimate sacrifice and the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation.
See our main article concerning prophecies fulfilled by Jesus.