The OT points ahead to the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. Christ's fulfilment of OT prophecy is often noted by NT writers as a demonstration of God's faithfulness to his promises of salvation and as confirmation of the divine authority of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ fulfils OT prophecy
He fulfils the OT as a whole
Luke 24:27 See also Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:44; 2 Corinthians 1:20
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.
He fulfils God's promises to Abraham
Galatians 3:14 See also Luke 1:54–55, Luke 1:72–74; Galatians 3:16
He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
He fulfils God's promises through the prophets
Acts 10:43 See also Matthew 26:56; Acts 3:18, Acts 3:24, Acts 13:27; Romans 1:2; 1 Peter 1:10
All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
Prophecies about Jesus Christ's birth
Matthew 1:23 See also Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31–32; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 2:6–7; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:15; Hosea 11:1
“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” ( which means, “God with us”).
Prophecies about Jesus Christ's ministry
He brings good news
Luke 4:17–19 See also Isaiah 61:1–2; Matthew 4:13–16; Isaiah 9:1–2
the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
He divides people and is rejected
Luke 2:34–35 See also Matthew 3:11–12 parallels Mark 1:7–8, Luke 3:16–17; Matthew 21:42 parallels Mark 12:10–11, Luke 20:17; Psalm 118:22–23; John 13:18; Psalm 41:9
Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
He teaches in parables
Matthew 13:35 See also Psalm 78:2; Matthew 13:13–15 parallels Mark 4:11–12, Luke 8:10; Isaiah 6:9–10
So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”
Prophecies about Jesus Christ's death
The Lord's Supper
Matthew 26:28 parallels Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20 See also Isaiah 53:12; Jeremiah 31:34
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
The betrayal
Matthew 27:9–10 Jeremiah 19:1–13; Zechariah 11:12–13; John 18:9, John 6:39
Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on Him by the people of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord had commanded me.”
The cross
Matthew 27:46 parallel Mark 15:34 See also Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:35; Psalm 22:18; Luke 23:46; Psalm 31:5
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Prophecies about Jesus Christ's resurrection and ascension
Matthew 12:39–40 parallel Luke 11:29–30 See also Jonah 1:17; Acts 2:25–28; Psalm 16:8–11; Acts 2:31, Acts 13:35, Acts 2:34; Psalm 110:1; Ephesians 4:8; Psalm 68:18
Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Prophecies about Jesus Christ's titles
Jesus Christ as Son of God
Acts 13:32–33 See also Psalm 2:7; Hebrews 1:5, Hebrews 5:5; Matthew 22:44 parallels Mark 12:36, Luke 20:42; Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:8–9; Psalm 45:6–7
And now we proclaim to you the good news: What God promised our fathers He has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.’
Jesus Christ as Son of Man
Matthew 26:64 parallels Mark 14:62, Luke 22:69 See also Daniel 7:13–14; Mark 8:31 parallel Luke 9:22
“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Jesus Christ as Son of David
Revelation 22:16 See also 2 Samuel 7:12–16 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:11–14; Luke 1:32–33; Isaiah 9:7; Acts 13:34; Isaiah 55:3; Romans 15:12; Isaiah 11:1
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”
Jesus Christ as the coming Messianic king
Matthew 26:31 parallel Mark 14:27; Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 21:4–5; Zechariah 9:9
Jesus Christ as the suffering servant
Acts 8:32–35 See also Isaiah 53:7–8; Matthew 12:17–21; Isaiah 42:1–4
The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth. In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.” “Tell me,” said the eunuch, “who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
Jesus Christ as the prophet who is to come
Acts 3:22 See also Deuteronomy 18:18; Luke 4:18–19; Isaiah 61:1–2; John 6:14
For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you.
Jesus Christ as priest
Hebrews 7:21 See also Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:5–6, Hebrews 7:17
but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.