Prophecies and Fulfillments Concerning the Messiah of Israel
OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES OF MESSIAH AND NEW TESTAMENT FULFILLMENTS
MESSIAH WAS TO BE BORN IN BETHLEHEM
Old Testament Prophecy:
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”—Mic 5:2
New Testament Fulfillment:
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people to- gether, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”—Mat 2:1-6 (See also Luk 2:1-20)
MESSIAH WAS TO BE BORN OF A VIRGIN
Old Testament Prophecy:
“Therefore the LORD himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”—Isa 7:14
New Testament Fulfillment:
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”—Mat 1:18-25 (See also Luk 1:26-38)
TO BE A PROPHET LIKE MOSES
Old Testament Prophecy:
“The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.”—Deu 18:15, 18-19
New Testament Fulfillment:
“Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, hav- ing never learned? Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself…Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.”—Joh 7:14-17, 40-46 (See also Act 3:22-26)
TO ENTER JERUSALEM IN TRIUMPH
Old Testament Prophecy:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”—Zec 9:9
New Testament Fulfillment:
“And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.”—Mat 21:1-9 (See also Joh 12:12-16)
TO BE BETRAYED BY ONE OF HIS FOLLOWERS
Old Testament Prophecy:
“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”—Psa 41:9
New Testament Fulfillment:
“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him...And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.”—Mat 26:14-16, 47-50 (See also Mar 14:17-21; Luk 22:19-23; Joh 13:18-19)
TO BE TRIED AND CONDEMNED
Old Testament Prophecy:
“He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the trans- gression of my people was he stricken.”—Isa 53:8
New Testament Fulfillment:
“When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.”—Mat 27:1-2 (See also Luk 23:1-25)
TO BE SILENT BEFORE HIS ACCUSERS
Old Testament Prophecy:
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”—Isa 53:7
New Testament Fulfillment:
“And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.”—Mat 27:12-14 (See also Mar 15:3-4; Luk 23:8-10)
TO BE SMITTEN BY HIS ENEMIES
Old Testament Prophecy:
“They shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.”—Mic 5:1
“I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”—Isa 50:6
New Testament Fulfillment:
“Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands”—Mat 26:67 (See also Mat 27:30; Mar 14:65; 15:19; Luk 22:63-64; Joh 19:1-3)
TO BE MOCKED AND TAUNTED
Old Testament Prophecy:
“All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.”—Psa 22:7-8
New Testament Fulfillment:
“And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.”—Mat 27:39-43 (See also Luk 23:11, 35)
TO DIE BY CRUCIFIXION
Old Testament Prophecy:
“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. For dogs have com- passed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.”—Psa 22:14, 16-17
New Testament Fulfillment:
“And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.”—Mat 27:31 (See also Mar 15:20, 25; Joh 19:16-18)
TO SUFFER WITH TRANSGRESSORS AND PRAY FOR HIS ENEMIES
Old Testament Prophecy:
“And he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”—Isa 53:12
New Testament Fulfillment:
“Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.”—Mat 27:38 (See also Mar 15:27-28; Luke 23:32, 39-43)
TO BE GIVEN VINEGAR AND GALL
Old Testament Prophecy:
“They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”—Psa 69:21
New Testament Fulfillment:
“They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.”—Mat 27:34 (See also: Joh 19:28-30)
THEY WERE TO CAST LOTS FOR MESSIAH’S GARMENTS
Old Testament Prophecy:
“They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”—Psa 22:18
New Testament Fulfillment:
“And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.”—Mat 27:35 (See also: Mar 15:24; Joh 19:23-24)
HIS BONES WERE NOT TO BE BROKEN
Old Testament Prophecy:
“They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it.”—Num 9:12
“Neither shall ye break a bone thereof.”—Exo 12:46
New Testament Fulfillment:
“The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not hislegs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.”—Joh 19:31-36
TO DIE AS A SACRIFICE FOR SIN
Old Testament Prophecy:
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all...for the transgression of my people was he stricken...when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand...he shall bear their iniquities...and he bare the sin of many.”—Isa 53:5-6, 8, 10- 12
New Testament Fulfillment:
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”—Joh 1:29 (See also Joh 11:49-52; Act 10:43; 13:38-39; 1Co 15:3; Eph 1:7; 1Pe 2:24-25; 1Jo 1:7,9)
TO BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD
Old Testament Prophecy:
“For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”—Psa 16:10
New Testament Fulfillment:
“And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”—1Co 15:4-8 (See also: Mat 28:1-10; Mar 16:1-8; Luk 24:1-9,44; Joh 20:1-31; Act 2:22-32)
TO BE NOW AT GOD’S RIGHT HAND
Old Testament Prophecy:
“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”—Psa 110:1
New Testament Fulfillment:
“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”—Mar 16:19 (See also Luk 24:50-51; Act 2:33-36; Heb 10:12-13)
TO SIT ON THE THRONE OF DAVID
Old Testament Prophecy:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of The LORD of hosts will perform this.”—Isa 9:6-7
New Testament Prophecy:
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the 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.”—Luk 1:32-33
TO REIGN OVER ALL THE EARTH
Old Testament Prophecy:
“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.”—Psa 72:8, 11
New Testament Parallel:
“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”—Heb 1:8 (See also Phi 2:9-11; Rev 11:15; 19:11-16)
TO COME IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN
Old Testament Prophecy:
“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” —Dan 7:13-14
New Testament Parellel:
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”—Mat 24:30 (See also Mat 25:31; 26:64; Mar 14:61-62; Act 1:9-11; Rev 1:7)
©2000 Complied by Shalom Scripture Studies, Inc. Used by permission.