The prophecy concerning the Messiah's betrayal is a significant aspect of the Messianic predictions found in the Hebrew Scriptures. This prophecy is fulfilled in the New Testament with the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas Iscariot. The foretelling of this event underscores the divine orchestration of the redemptive plan and highlights the suffering servant motif central to the Messianic mission.

Old Testament Prophecies

1. Psalm 41:9: "Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me." This verse is traditionally understood as a prophetic reference to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. The imagery of a trusted friend turning against the psalmist is seen as a foreshadowing of Judas, one of the twelve disciples, betraying Jesus.

2. Zechariah 11:12-13: "And I said to them, 'If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.' So they weighed out my wages—thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, 'Throw it to the potter, this magnificent price at which they valued Me!' So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter." This passage is interpreted as a prophetic sign of the price for which Judas would betray Jesus, and the subsequent use of the money to buy the potter's field, as recorded in the New Testament.

New Testament Fulfillment

1. Matthew 26:14-16: "Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus." This account directly correlates with the prophecy in Zechariah, highlighting the specific amount of money involved in the betrayal.

2. John 13:18: "I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: 'The one who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.'" Jesus Himself references Psalm 41:9 during the Last Supper, indicating that the betrayal by Judas was a fulfillment of Scripture.

3. Acts 1:16-20: Peter, addressing the early believers, speaks of Judas's betrayal as a fulfillment of Scripture, citing the Psalms: "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus."

Theological Significance

The prophecy of the Messiah's betrayal and its fulfillment in the New Testament serve as a testament to the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture. It demonstrates the foreknowledge of God and the predetermined plan for the salvation of humanity through the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The betrayal, though a tragic event, is woven into the fabric of the redemptive narrative, illustrating the depth of human sin and the profound love of God in providing a Savior.