Psalm 22 is a prophetic psalm written by King David that depicts the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross. Though written approximately 1000 years before the birth of Jesus, Psalm 22 contains vivid and specific details that align with the gospel accounts of Jesus’ death on the cross.
In Psalm 22:12, David writes “Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me.” This poetic imagery points to the enemies of Christ who surrounded Him as He was crucified.
Here are a few key insights into the meaning of the “strong bulls of Bashan” in Psalm 22:12:
1. The bull was a symbol of strength and ferocity
In Scripture, the bull is used as a symbol of strength, ferocity and raw power (Deuteronomy 33:17, Psalm 50:13). The enemies of Christ are depicted as raging, strong bulls to highlight their brute strength and violent opposition against the Son of God. Just as a bull can trample its prey underfoot, so too did the enemies of Jesus seek to overpower and crush Him.
2. Bashan was known for its livestock and robust bulls
Bashan was an fertile region east of the Jordan River known for its lush grasslands and livestock, especially cattle and bulls (Amos 4:1). The “bulls of Bashan” refers specifically to the exceptionally strong bulls raised in this region. The imagery portrays Christ’s foes as the most mighty and ferocious bulls from this land famous for breeding strong bulls.
3. The bulls surround and encircle their prey
To “encompass” and “surround” carries the idea of being encircled and closed in upon by these mighty bulls. Christ’s enemies had hemmed him with their hatred and violence, leaving no way of escape. The language depicts the hostile mob swarming around Christ on all sides as He hung defenseless on the cross.
4. The bulls represent Christ’s human and spiritual enemies
The bulls likely represent both the physical crowd mocking and crucifying Jesus as well as the spiritual forces of darkness opposing Him. The angry mob at the cross surrounded Him and the demonic realm was also fiercely arrayed against Christ as He bore the sin of the world (Colossians 2:15). Both human and spiritual enemies attacked Jesus.
5. Jesus endured their fiercest attack but emerged victorious
Though the enemies of Jesus were fierce and powerful like the raging bulls of Bashan, their attack was ultimately ineffective. Christ withstood their full onslaught and through His death and resurrection conquered sin, death and the powers of darkness (Hebrews 2:14). The bulls encompassed and encircled Him, but could not overcome Him.
In summary, the “strong bulls of Bashan” in Psalm 22:12 utilize vivid poetic imagery to depict the brute strength and violence of Christ’s enemies arrayed against Him at the cross. Yet despite their fierce opposition, Jesus willingly laid down His life and bore our sins, triumphing over the enemies of God through His sacrificial death. This prophetic psalm powerfully points to the suffering Messiah who bore the fury of opposition yet emerged victorious, securing salvation for all who put their faith in Him.
Other Old Testament passages depicting Christ’s sufferings
Psalm 22 is one of many psalms that contain prophetic details depicting the sufferings of Christ on the cross hundreds of years before His birth, including:
- Psalm 22 – the rejection, mocking, piercing of hands and feet, casting lots for garments, and thirst of Christ on the cross
- Psalm 69 – the hatred and persecution against Christ, the giving of gall and vinegar to drink
- Psalm 118 – the rejection of Christ as the cornerstone, the blessing upon the one who comes in the name of the Lord
- Psalm 16 – the death and resurrection of Christ, the joy set before Him, the presence of God at His right hand
- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 – the suffering servant rejected and put to grief, bearing our iniquities and punished for our peace, and being pierced, oppressed and afflicted
- Zechariah 12:10 – the piercing of the one who was pierced, and weeping and mourning for the pierced one
These and other Old Testament passages provide detailed prophetic insight into the identity of Jesus as the promised Messiah and God’s sacrificial Lamb who would suffer and die for the sins of the world. The strong bulls of Bashan in Psalm 22:12 contribute to this biblical theme of God’s redemptive plan at work through the suffering and death of His Son on the cross.
Jesus fulfilled Psalm 22 by enduring the cross
The gospels demonstrate how Psalm 22 was directly fulfilled in Christ’s crucifixion:
- Jesus was encompassed and surrounded by His enemies (the chief priests, elders, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, crowds shouting “crucify him!”, the Roman soldiers – Matthew 26:47-27:31)
- The people mocked Jesus yelling “He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him” (Matthew 27:41-43)
- Jesus cried out the Psalm’s opening words on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
- Jesus thirsted and was given sour wine to drink while on the cross (John 19:28-29)
- The soldiers divided Jesus’ garments and cast lots for his tunic (John 19:23-24)
- Jesus’ hands and feet were pierced (Luke 23:33, John 20:25-27)
Clearly, Psalm 22 presented a vivid portrayal of the coming Messiah’s sufferings centuries prior to it being carried out in Jesus Christ. God orchestrated all the fine details to fulfill His greater plan of redemption in Christ.
NT writers referenced Psalm 22 as fulfilled prophecy
The strong bulls of Bashan are just one example of how Psalm 22 prophetically described Christ’s crucifixion. New Testament writers directly pointed back to Psalm 22 as proof of Jesus fulfilling prophecy:
- Hebrews 2:12 quotes Psalm 22:22, applying it to Jesus praising God in the midst of His brethren after enduring the cross
- The piercing of Jesus’ hands and feet is said to specifically fulfill Scripture in Psalm 22 (along with Zechariah 12:10) according to John 19:36-37
- Jesus referenced Psalm 22 when speaking the opening line while on the cross, showing He was fulfilling this psalm in His death (as noted earlier)
This directly ties Psalm 22 to prophecy fulfilled in the crucifixion of Christ. The early church recognized Psalm 22 pointed clearly to the sufferings of Jesus hundreds of years in advance.
Takeaways on the strong bulls of Bashan
In studying Psalm 22 and the strong bulls of Bashan, key truths emerge:
- God orchestrated precise prophetic details long in advance, including the brutal opposition Christ would face
- Though facing fierce enemies, Jesus willingly gave His life up in obedience to the Father to save sinners
- Christ emerged victorious over every enemy that encompassed and confronted Him
- Psalm 22 challenges believers to trust God and cling to Him even in overwhelming opposition, knowing He is sovereign
- Fulfilled prophecy in Psalm 22 validates Jesus as the promised Messiah who suffered and died according to Scripture
- The global reach of Psalm 22, across languages and cultures, shows God’s word endures forever as Christ’s story continues to spread worldwide
The vivid imagery of the strong bulls of Bashan in Psalm 22 testifies to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan in the sufferings of His Son Jesus Christ. This points to the reliability of Scripture, and the boundless compassion of Christ to bear such opposition in order to save sinful humanity through His sacrifice. As Psalm 22 makes clear, though enemies surrounded Him, the Righteous One endured the cross and emerged victorious over sin and death forever.