Messianic · Pierced; garments parted
Psalm 22:11-21
David · ~1000 BC · Status: Fulfilled · Confidence: 65% · Payne §Ps 17–18
“Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.”
King James Version · the opening — all 11 verses are below
The graphic description of the Sufferer — pierced hands and feet, bones out of joint, garments divided by lot — fulfilled in detail at the crucifixion.
Read the whole passage — all 11 verses (KJV)
22:11Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
22:12Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
22:13They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
22:14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
22:15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
22:16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
22:17I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
22:18They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
22:19But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
22:20Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
22:21Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
Fulfillment References
John 19:23-24 Matthew 27:35 John 19:28 Luke 23:33
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal'They pierced my hands and my feet' (cf. Zech. 12:10) — fulfilled in Jesus, the one God whose own hands were pierced; John cites the garment-casting as fulfillment (John 19:24).
JewishA lament of severe affliction; the Masoretic reading of v.16 ('like a lion my hands and feet') is debated against the older 'they pierced.'
CatholicThe crucifixion foreseen — pierced hands and feet, the soldiers casting lots for His garments (John 19:24).
ProtestantThe garment-casting (John 19:24 cites this directly) and 'pierced hands and feet' read as a remarkable pre-crucifixion description.
OrthodoxChrist's passion in vivid prophetic detail.
DispensationalThe piercing and the dividing of garments fulfilled at Calvary.
AcademicA key textual crux: 'they pierced' (ka'aru — LXX and a Nahal Hever Dead Sea Scroll fragment) versus the Masoretic 'like a lion' (ka'ari); the scroll reading supports 'pierced,' a much-discussed find.
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