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Fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet - Matthew 21:4
Fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet - Matthew 21:4
Matthew writes: "This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:…” (Matt. 21:4).
It is often pointed out that Matthew appears to have been written with the Jewish readers in mind as the main audience. One of the reasons for making this observation is the emphasis that is put upon the fulfillment of the Old Testaments scriptures. It is specifically mentioned that he fulfilled certain foretold events:
1:22 - His birth to the virgin Mary
2:15 - His flight to and return from Egypt
2:17 - the resulting mourning at the death of the children of Bethlehem.
2:23 - His dwelling in Nazareth
3:15 - His obedience in baptism was to fulfill all righteousness
4:14 – His living in the area of Galilee
5:17 - came to fulfill the law and the prophets
8:17 - His empathy for people’s plight
12:17 – His NOT seeking popularity
13:14 - The rejection of Jesus by the people
13:35 - His teaching in parables
21:4 – His entrance to Jerusalem riding on a donkey
26:54 – His allowing them to arrest Him leading to His death
26:56 - the disciples abandoned Jesus when arrested
27:9 - betrayed for 30 pieces of silver
Some of these were direct fulfillment of a specific foretold event; others were the fulfillment of repeated types. Both were understood and accepted by the standards of first-century Jewish readers. 21st-century American readers often struggle because of our own preconceived idea on how such prophecies should be understood, but that is OUR problem. Matthew’s book did have a great impact upon the Jewish readers of the first century. Even with the problem of how to understand some of these, it still makes a great impact upon me. Jesus' coming, life, death, and glory were not an accident. Such was, as Paul would refer to it, the eternal purpose of God (Eph. 3:11).
As Peter concluded the first sermon: "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).
Hugh DeLong
