Jesus turned to His twelve disciples in a private moment and said:
(NASB) Luke 10:23-24 “…‘Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see,
24 for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.”

Later, Peter would write:
(NASB) 1 Peter 1:10-12 “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,
11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things into which angels long to look.”

What prophets?  What kings?  Were there actual men Jesus was thinking of when He said “many prophets and kings wished to see…to hear…” and did not?

Consider:
PROPHETS:
Isaiah – prophesied Messiah’s birth (Isaiah 9:6),
His ministry (Isaiah 9:1-2), His death (Isaiah 53) and His reign as King during the Millennium (Isaiah 9:6-7).  There are many other passages in Isaiah, these are but a few.
Jeremiah – also prophesied of Messiah and His future rule (Jeremiah 33:15-16).
Ezekiel & Daniel, the 12 “minor” prophets – point to Messiah.  These men did not “see” or “hear” the voice or actions of Messiah Jesus as the twelve men did!

KINGS
David – the Psalms which speak of Messiah (and there are many!): Psalm 22 reveals Messiah’s suffering as He would die (on a cross…certain sufferings are associated with crucifixion.  This prophecy describes these specific sufferings hundreds of years before the cross was used as an instrument of torturous death).
Solomon – in the Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon), this allegory speaks of the King’s love for His bride.  (One of my favorite verses is: “He has brought me to his banquet hall,
And His banner over me is love.”  (Song of Songs 2:4)
[King Jesus will bring His bride (followers of Jesus) to His banquet table…]
These great kings did not “see” or “hear” Messiah’s voice or live in His presence as the twelve disciples did.

And what of today?  We have the greatest opportunity to understand the prophecies of Messiah’s birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension.  They are there for us to read and we know they have occurred (have been fulfilled)!  History validates fulfilled prophecies…no other belief system has this kind of track record!

You and I will be held responsible for the great opportunity to believe the life, the words, and the actions of Messiah Jesus.  Do you?  If so, do your words and actions show belief?