The Prophecy: The Messiah will be pierced and killed

The Prophecy: The Messiah will be pierced and killed 

“I will pour out on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look on me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his firstborn.” Zechariah 12:10 

Zechariah describes the people of Israel mourning over the Messiah who has been pierced. Many rabbinic commentators interpret this passage as a prophecy concerning the death of the Messiah. Malbim (Rabbi Meïr Leibush ben Yehiel Michel Wisser) writes: “Then the Messiah Son of Joseph will be killed in a war… As if they ‘pierced’ him by their sins.” 

The Fulfillment of the Prophecy: Jesus’ hands and feet were pierced when he was crucified 

“And when they crucified him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. It was the third hour, and they crucified him. The superscription of his accusation was written over him, ‘THE KING OF THE JEWS’… Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.” Mark 15:24-26, 37-38 

Jesus was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem by Roman soldiers. The soldiers nailed his hands and feet to the cross, and so the prophecy was fulfilled.