OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES OF CHRIST QUOTED IN THE GOSPELS
Amazingly, the complete story of Jesus’ life, even in minutest detail, was foretold in the Old Testament, centuries before the events actually happened. It is impossible that 40 different men, from different nations, who spoke different languages, and lived during different times, could all contribute to one Book that perfectly harmonizes in meaning and fulfilled prophecy. It is solid proof of the Divine origin of the Bible as God’s Word. Hundreds of modern archeological discoveries have evidenced these facts, thus testifying further to the authenticity of the Bible.
OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES OF CHRIST QUOTED IN THE GOSPELS:
- Christ was to be of king David’s Family (Matthew 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 1:69,70; 20:42-44; John 7:42; 2nd Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 89:3-4; 110:1; 132:11; Isaiah 9:6,7; 11:1).
- Christ was to be Born of a Virgin (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14).
- Christ was to be Born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:6; John 7:42; Micah 5:2).
- Christ would Sojourn in Egypt (Matthew 2:15; Hosea 11:1).
- Christ would Live in Galilee (Matthew 4:15; Isaiah 9:1,2)
- Christ would Live at Nazareth (Matthew 2:23; Isaiah 11:1).
- Christ’s Coming would be Announced by an Elijah-like Herald (Matthew 3:3; 11:10-14; Mark 1:2-3; Luke 3:4-6; 7:27; John 1:23; Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1; 4:5).
- Christ’s Coming would occasion the Massacre of Bethlehem’s Children (Matthew 2:18; Genesis 35:19-20; 48:7; Jeremiah 31:15).
- Christ would Proclaim a Jubilee to the World (Luke 4:18-19; Isaiah 58:6; 61:1).
- Christ’s Mission would include Gentiles (Matthew 12:18-21; Isaiah 42:1-4).
- Christ’s Ministry would be one of Healing (Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4).
- Christ would Teach by Parables (Matthew 13:14, 15, 35; Isaiah 6:9-10; Psalm 78:2).
- Christ would be Disbelieved and Rejected by the Rulers (Matthew 15:8, 9; 21:42; Mark 7:6, 7; 12:10 11; Luke 20:17; John 12:38-40; 15:25; Psalm 69:4; 118:22; Isaiah 6:10; 29:13; 53:1).
- Christ would make a Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:5; John 12:13-15; Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9; Psalm 118:26).
- Christ would be like a Smitten Shepherd (Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27; Zechariah 13:7).
- Christ would be Betrayed by a Friend for 30 Pieces of Silver (Matthew 27:9-10; John 13:18; Zechariah 11:12-13; Psalm 41:9).
- All the Disciples Forsook Him and Fled (Matthew 26:56; Psalm 38:11; Isaiah 63:3).
- They would Cast Lots for Christ’s Garments (Matthew 27:35; John 19:24; Psalm 22:18).
- Christ’s Hands, Feet and Side would be Pierced (Matthew; Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10).
- Christ would be Given Vinegar and Gall (Matthew 27:34; John 19:29; Psalm 69:21).
- Christ’s Bone’s would Not be Broken (John 19:36; Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20).
- Christ would Die with Malefactors (Luke 22:37; Isaiah 53:9, 12).
- Christ’s Dying Words were Foretold (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Luke 23:46; Psalm 22:1; 31:5).
- Christ would be Buried by a Rich Man (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60; fact stated, prophecy not quoted)
- Christ would Rise from the Dead the Third Day (Matthew12:40; Luke 24:46). No particular passage is quoted from the Old Testament for this. That Christ would rise from the dead is definitely quoted in Acts 2:25-32, from Psalm 16:10-11. Jesus said it was Written that He would rise the third day (Luke 24:46). Jesus must have had in mind Hosea 6:2 and Jonah 1:7, and Isaac being released from death the third day (Genesis 22:4).
- Christ’s Rejection would be followed by the Destruction of Jerusalem and Great Tribulation for the Jews (Matthew 24:15; mark 13:14; Luke 21:20; Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12: 1, 11).
Jesus Himself realized that in His death He was fulfilling the Scriptures (Matthew 26:54, 56). While He was hanging on the cross, John 19:28 tells us that Jesus was concerned about prophecy being fulfilled… “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”
John 19:30 states: “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
Contrary to what many Bible-scholars teach, Jesus didn’t mean that His work of redemption was FINISHED on the cross. How could it have been? Jesus hadn’t died, been buried, nor raised up from the dead yet. Jesus didn’t mean that at all when He said, “It is finished.”
Jesus meant that all the prophecies concerning His life and Death had been fulfilled up to that point in time… “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst… When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished…”
God is truly amazing, and has given us overwhelming evidence of His Divine Existence and Supreme Power in the fulfillment of Scripture Prophecies.