Was Potential Sin by Christ Prophesied?

The answer to this question lies in understanding some important features of biblical prophecy.

Some Prophecies Had Dual Applications

There are prophecies in the Old Testament that have a dual application. That is, they have a rather immediate application to a more temporal circumstance. Then, they also have an ultimate fulfillment in a more far-reaching spiritual event.

Here's an example. In one of his psalms, David declared, "Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me" (Psalms 41:9).

Now here is the interesting thing. Jesus quotes from this passage in those dark hours before his death, affirming that it is fulfilled in the treachery of Judas (John 13:18). However, in quoting the passage from David, the Lord omits the phrase, "my familiar friend, in whom I trusted."

What is the significance of that? Simply this. Jesus never trusted Judas. He knew from the beginning of his ministry what the wayward apostle would do (see John 6:64).

Here is the point related to the question. While the passage in Psalms had an original application with reference to David and those who had betrayed him (a portion of it applying exclusively to the king), it had an ultimate fulfillment in the Savior’s betrayal by Judas.

Consider David's Son, Solomon

Having established the precedent of remote application and ultimate fulfillment, we are prepared to make that same sort of application to the passage at hand—2 Samuel 7:12-16.

Read the entire text carefully. It is a prophecy conveyed by Nathan to David. We are confident that the context refers partially to Solomon, David’s immediate son, and then finally to David’s more illustrious "son," Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1).

Note first that in some sense there is a reference to Solomon in the prophecy. This is clear from a later reference in 1 Chronicles 22:6ff, where David charged Solomon to build "a house for Jehovah," which of course was the temple. This very passage is cited in support of that commission (1 Chronicles 22:10; cf. 1 Chronicles 28:5; 2 Chronicles 6:7ff).

Moreover, it is certain that God never anticipated that his beloved Christ would "commit iniquity and, therefore, need "chastening" with the "rod of men" (2 Samuel 7:14). For example, Isaiah 53 affirms the moral perfection of Jehovah's servant, Jesus Christ. Therefore, this portion of 2 Samuel 7:14-15 obviously applies only to Solomon.

The prophecy plainly encompasses, however, a much grander scope than that of Solomon's day, as is suggested by the "last words" of David himself (2 Samuel 23:1ff) and the comments of several inspired New Testament writers.

The testimony of God's angel to the virgin Mary clearly reflects the promise of 2 Samuel 7:12ff:

[T]he Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:32-33).

Peter's testimony on the day of Pentecost also reflects the prediction of 2 Samuel 7 (see Acts 2:30).

Application to Christ

Finally, the inspired author of the book of Hebrews quotes from Nathan's prophecy and makes the application to Christ (Hebrews 1:5).

All of these facts, therefore, lead to the necessary conclusion that 2 Samuel 7:12-16 has a two-fold thrust. First there was a limited application to Solomon. Finally, there was to be a more glorious fulfillment in the Messiah's reign.