While the prophecies about the lineage, birth, and life of Jesus are fascinating, the prophecies of His death give the story meaning. In His death we see the love of God exposed, and the prophecies which foretell the events clearly magnify this great love.

The tragic story of the death begins with the betrayal of Jesus by His close friend - none other than Judas Iscariot. The prophecy is recorded by the psalmist, and the historical event by Matthew.

"Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me." (Psalm 41:9)

"As they were eating, He said, 'Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.' Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, 'Surely not I, Lord?' And He answered, 'He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.' And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, 'Surely it is not I, Rabbi?' Jesus said to him, 'You have said it yourself.'" (Matthew 26:21-25)

The prophet Zechariah foretells more about Judas. Take note of the following prophecy,

"I said to them, 'If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!' So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. Then the LORD said to me, 'Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.' So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD." (Zechariah 11:12-13)

Within this short discourse are at least six distinct details foretold about the betrayal of Jesus. First, there are thirty shekels given, not twenty-nine, thirty-five, or forty. Second, silver, not gold is paid. Third, a potter is noted as the recipient of the money. Fourth, the money is brought into the house of the Lord, not on the street, or in another location. Fifth, the money is thrown, not handed or laid down. Sixth, the Lord says this is the value placed on Him. Precisely as predicted, these details were seen in the fulfillment of this prophecy, as recorded by Matthew,

"…and said, "What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?" And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him." (Matthew 26:15) "Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, 'I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.' But they said, 'What is that to us? See to that yourself!' And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, 'It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.' And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter's Field as a burial place for strangers." (Matthew 27:3-7)

Zechariah also foretells of the duplicity of the rest of the Apostles. Matthew confirms the fulfillment at the time Jesus is arrested.

"Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones." (Zechariah 13:7)

"At that time Jesus said to the crowds, 'Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.' Then all the disciples left Him and fled. (Matthew 26:55-56)