The Gospels resound with a powerful refrain: Jesus must suffer, die, and rise again. This is not a tragic twist of fate or a mere consequence of human opposition—it is the deliberate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, foretold through the prophets and carried out by Jesus, the Son of Man. Dutch theologian Herman Ridderbos captures this truth in The Coming of the Kingdom, emphasizing that Jesus’ suffering and death were not random but a divinely imposed task, decreed by God for the salvation of His creation and people.
The Old Testament, far from being a disconnected prelude, weaves a tapestry of prophecies and types that point to this climactic act of redemption. Let’s explore the key “must” statements in the Gospels, their Old Testament roots, and the profound implications of this divine plan.
Ridderbos articulates a central truth: Jesus’ life, particularly His suffering and death, was not governed by chance or mere providence but by God’s deliberate will. As the Messiah, Jesus acted in obedience to the Father, fulfilling a task that was “determined beforehand and made known by the prophets” for the “final consummation” of salvation.
The Gospels’ use of “must” (Greek: dei, meaning divine necessity) underscores that these events were non-negotiable, embedded in God’s eternal purpose to redeem His creation. Let’s examine key passages where Jesus declares this necessity and their Old Testament foundations.
1. The Son of Man Must Suffer and Die (Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22)
In all three Synoptic Gospels, Jesus announces, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and rise again.” This declaration is a cornerstone of His mission, revealing that His suffering was not an accident but a divine mandate. The Old Testament prefigures this in vivid detail:
Isaiah 53:3-12: The Suffering Servant is “despised and rejected,” “pierced for our transgressions,” and “cut off out of the land of the living,” yet He will “see his offspring” and have His days prolonged. This prophecy paints a portrait of a Messiah who suffers to atone for humanity’s sins, fulfilled in Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
Psalm 22:1, 16-18: The psalmist’s cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and descriptions of pierced hands and feet, divided garments, and mocking onlookers find their fulfillment on the cross (Matthew 27:46).
Deuteronomy 21:23: The curse of being “hanged on a tree” is applied to Jesus in Galatians 3:13, showing He bore the curse of sin for humanity’s redemption.
These passages reveal that Jesus’ suffering was no surprise—it was scripted in God’s plan, revealed centuries earlier.
2. It Was Necessary for the Christ to Suffer (Luke 24:25-27, 44-46)
After His resurrection, Jesus tells His disciples, “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” He then explains how “everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” This moment is a theological linchpin, tying the Old Testament to Jesus’ redemptive work. He is the fulfillment of:
Isaiah 53:4-12: The Servant’s suffering and death are God’s will to justify many, a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.
Psalm 16:10: “You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption” points to the resurrection, as cited in Acts 13:34-37.
Genesis 3:15: The protoevangelium, where the seed of the woman crushes the serpent’s head while being struck, foreshadows Jesus’ victory through suffering.
Jesus’ own teaching confirms that His suffering and resurrection were not merely foretold but required by God’s redemptive purpose.
3. The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (John 3:14-15, 12:34-35)
In John’s Gospel, Jesus declares, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” This “lifting up” refers to His crucifixion, a deliberate act of salvation. The Old Testament provides the type and prophecy:
Numbers 21:8-9: The bronze serpent, lifted up to heal those bitten by snakes, prefigures Jesus’ crucifixion, where He is lifted up to bring eternal life to all who look to Him in faith.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12: The Servant is both “lifted up and highly exalted” and suffers, a paradox fulfilled in Jesus’ death and glorification.
Even when the crowd questions this necessity (John 12:34), Jesus reaffirms that His death is essential to God’s plan, overturning human expectations of a triumphant Messiah.
Profound Implications of God’s Deliberate Plan
The “must” statements in the Gospels, rooted in Old Testament prophecies, carry profound implications for our understanding of Jesus’ mission and God’s redemptive plan:
God’s Sovereignty Over History: The Old Testament’s detailed foreshadowing—through the Suffering Servant, the pierced one of Zechariah 12:10, or the Passover lamb of Exodus 12:46—reveals that God was not reacting to events but orchestrating them. From Genesis to Malachi, the Scriptures point to a Messiah who would suffer and die to redeem creation, showing God’s sovereignty over history.
Jesus’ Obedience and Love: Jesus’ repeated affirmation of what He “must” do reflects His perfect obedience to the Father’s will. This was no passive submission but an active, costly choice to fulfill God’s plan, demonstrating His love for humanity (John 15:13). As Ridderbos notes, Jesus’ task was imposed by divine decree, yet He embraced it willingly for our salvation.
Redemption’s Cosmic Scope: The “final consummation” Ridderbos speaks of is not just individual salvation but the redemption of all creation. The curse of sin, introduced in Genesis 3, is undone through Jesus’ death and resurrection, fulfilling the promise of a new creation (Romans 8:19-21). The Old Testament’s types—like the Passover lamb or the bronze serpent—point to a salvation that restores God’s people and His world.
Assurance for Believers: Knowing that Jesus’ suffering was part of God’s preordained plan gives us confidence in His victory. The prophets’ words were not empty; they were fulfilled in Jesus, proving that God’s promises are trustworthy. Our redemption is secure because it rests on God’s eternal purpose, not human effort.
A Plan Fulfilled, A People Redeemed
The “must” statements of the Gospels are more than historical markers—they are declarations of God’s unshakable plan to redeem His creation. From the Suffering Servant of Isaiah to the pierced figure of Psalm 22, the Old Testament bears witness to a Messiah who would suffer, die, and rise to save His people.
As Herman Ridderbos reminds us, Jesus’ mission was not a reaction to circumstance but the deliberate execution of God’s will, foretold by the prophets and accomplished by the Son of Man. This truth invites us to marvel at God’s wisdom, trust in His promises, and rest in the redemption secured through Jesus’ obedience. The cross was not a tragedy—it was the triumph of God’s eternal plan to make all things new.
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