The ancient prophetic Scriptures foretold long ago that God would send someone to deliver His people. This One is known as the Messiah which means “anointed one”. Throughout time, many people conjured up their own ideas apart from the Scriptures about what the Messiah would be like & what He was to do. Consequently, when the Messiah arrived, many failed to recognize Him. Meanwhile, false Messiahs have come & will come (Mt 24.4-5, 22-25). And many Jewish people are still looking for Him. But there is only one who has already fulfilled the Messianic prophecies perfectly – Christ Jesus.
The Greek word for Messiah is Christos from which we get the word Christ. Below are some prophetic Old Testament (OT) passages regarding the Messiah, the approximate times they were made & the New Testament (NT) passages that show how Jesus fulfilled them. Note that in some cases, the time the prophecies were first made predates the time that some of Old Testament books were written. You can simply hover your cursor over the passage to read it or click on it to open it in a new window. (FYI, this page does not view will in mobile device format, so you may wish to view it in PC format.)
The Greek word for Messiah is Christos from which we get the word Christ. Below are some prophetic Old Testament (OT) passages regarding the Messiah, the approximate times they were made & the New Testament (NT) passages that show how Jesus fulfilled them. Note that in some cases, the time the prophecies were first made predates the time that some of Old Testament books were written. You can simply hover your cursor over the passage to read it or click on it to open it in a new window. (FYI, this page does not view will in mobile device format, so you may wish to view it in PC format.)
Approx. Date
6000 BC
2000 BC 1900 BC 1400 BC 1859 BC 1000 BC 700 BC 700 BC 1010-586 BC 742-687 BC 605-536 BC 700 BC 700 BC 627-586 BC 715 BC 700 BC 430 BC 430 BC 700 BC 1010-586 BC 700 BC 1010-586 BC 1407-1406 BC 700 BC 700 BC 1010-970 BC 480 BC 1010-970 BC 700 BC 1010-970 BC 480 BC 480 BC 1010-970 BC 700 BC 700 BC 1010-970 BC 700 BC 700 BC 1010-970 BC 1010-970 BC 1010-970 BC 1010-970 BC 1010-970 BC 1010-970 BC 1010-970 BC 1010-970 BC 1010-970 BC 480 BC 700 BC 1010-586 BC 1010-970 BC |
Prophecy
Born of a woman
Descendant of Abraham Descendant of Isaac Descendant of Jacob / Sign of a star From the tribe of Judah Heir to King David's throne Deity / Born as a son Anointed & Eternal Born in Bethlehem Time of His Birth Born of a virgin Easterners bring gold & frankincense Slaughter of children Flight to Egypt Way prepared for Him Preceded by a forerunner Preceded by Elijah Initially inconspicuous Declared the Son of God Galilean ministry Speaks in parables He is a prophet Binds up the brokenhearted Rejected by His own people Priestly order of Melchizedek Triumphal entry on a donkey Adored by children Not believed Betrayed by a close friend Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver Friends scattered Accused by false witnesses Silent to accusations Struck & spat on Hated without reason Vicarious sacrifice Punished with criminals Pierced through hands & feet Poured out like water Sneered & mocked at Thirst during torture Reproached Prayer for His enemies Clothing gambled for Forsaken by God No bones broken His side pierced Buried with the rich To be resurrected from death Ascension to God's right hand |
OT Passage
Gen 3.15
Gen 12.3 Gen 17.19 Num 24.17 Gen 49.10 2 Sam 7.12-13 Isa 9.7 Isa 9.6 Ps 45.6-7, 102.25-27 Mic 5.2 Dan 9.25 Isa 7.14 Isa 60.6 Jer 31.15 Hos 11.1 Isa 40.3-5 Mal 3.1 Mal 4.5-6 Isa 42.1-4 Ps 2.7 Isa 9.1-2 Ps 78.2-4 Dt 18.15 Isa 61.1-2 Isa 53.3 Ps 110.4 Zec 9.9 Ps 8.2 Isa 53.3 Ps 41.9 Zec 11.12 Zec 13.7 Ps 35.11 Isa 53.7 Isa 50.6 Ps 35.11 Isa 53.5 Isa 53.12 Ps 22.16 Ps 22.14 Ps 22.7-8 Ps 22.15 Ps 69.9 Ps 109.4 Ps 22.17-18 Ps 22.1 Ps 34.20 Zec 12.10 Isa 53.9 Ps 16.10, 49-15 Ps 68.18 |
NT Passage
Lk 1.35, 2.6-7, Gal 4.4
Mt 1.1 Lk 3.34 Mt 1.2, 2.1-2 Lk 3.33 Lk 1.32-33 Jn 5.18, Php 2.6 / Lk 1.31 Heb 1.8-12 Lk 2.4-7 Lk 2.1-2 Lk 1.26-27, 30-31 Mt 2.1-2, 9-11 Mt 2.16-18 Mt 2.14-15 Lk 3.3-6 Lk 7.24, 27 Mt 11.13-14 Mt 12.15-21 Mt 3.17 Mt 4.13-16 Mt 13.34-35 Ac 3.20-22 Lk 4.18-19 Lk 23.18, Jn 1.11 Heb 5.5-6 Mk 11.7-11 Mt 21.15-16 Jn 12.37-38 Lk 22.47-48 Mt 26.14-15 Mt 26.31-32 Mk 14.57-58 Mk 15.4-5 Mt 26.67 Jn 15.24-25 Rom 5.6-8 Mk 15.27-28 Jn 20.27 Jn 19.34 Mt 27.39, 43, Lk 23.35 Jn 19.28-29 Rom 15.3 Lk 23.34 Mt 27.35-36 Mk 27.46 Jn 19.32-36 Jn 19.34 Mt 27.57-60 Mk 16.6-7 Mk 16.19, 1 Cor 15.4, Eph 4.8 |
The probability that someone could randomly fulfill these is nonexistent & so is the possibility that anyone could (or would even want to) try to intentionally fulfill them, especially considering that so many would be out of one's control. That Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled them is significant & highlights God's sovereignty & purpose. And as God said of Jesus, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Lk 9.35)
And [Jesus] said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. - Lk 24.25-27
Psalm 22 & Isaiah 53 are quite striking because they provide intricate detail of Jesus' death by crucifixion before that method of execution was ever invented. But what should strike us even more is that Bible makes many other prophecies about events that are yet unfold in the future, & many by Jesus Himself. If the Bible has proven trustworthy in its prediction of past prophecies, then it is trustworthy in those yet to be fulfilled – and anything else for that matter.
For instance, the Bible tells us that one day we will all be judged by God (1 Pt 4.5, Heb 9.27). He will judge us according to His perfect moral standard. If we fail ever so slightly, then we will have failed completely (Jas 2.10). Unfortunately, we have all failed & violated God's perfect moral law by sinning in some way (Eccl 7.20, Rom 3.23, 1 Jn 3.4). Since God knows all things, He will declare us guilty. And since God is eternal & just, His justice will demand our eternal punishment in a horrible place called hell (Mt 25.41, 2 Thes 1.8-10).
Fortunately, God graciously provided a way for us to escape His eternal wrath that we deserve – but only if we accept this merciful gift. He sent Christ Jesus, His only Son as the Messiah that would save His people. The Messiah lived the perfect life we could never live, yet was punished for our sin (2 Cor 5.21, 1 Pt 3.18). If we believe He did this for us, turning from sin (repenting) & putting all our trust in Him, Jesus Himself promises to save us & give us eternal life with Him. This is God's purpose for the Messiah & the only way of saving us – the only way necessary (Jn 14.6). Is Jesus your Messiah?
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
- Jn 3.36
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
- Jn 3.16-18
And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. - Acts 3.17-21
And [Jesus] said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. - Lk 24.25-27
Psalm 22 & Isaiah 53 are quite striking because they provide intricate detail of Jesus' death by crucifixion before that method of execution was ever invented. But what should strike us even more is that Bible makes many other prophecies about events that are yet unfold in the future, & many by Jesus Himself. If the Bible has proven trustworthy in its prediction of past prophecies, then it is trustworthy in those yet to be fulfilled – and anything else for that matter.
For instance, the Bible tells us that one day we will all be judged by God (1 Pt 4.5, Heb 9.27). He will judge us according to His perfect moral standard. If we fail ever so slightly, then we will have failed completely (Jas 2.10). Unfortunately, we have all failed & violated God's perfect moral law by sinning in some way (Eccl 7.20, Rom 3.23, 1 Jn 3.4). Since God knows all things, He will declare us guilty. And since God is eternal & just, His justice will demand our eternal punishment in a horrible place called hell (Mt 25.41, 2 Thes 1.8-10).
Fortunately, God graciously provided a way for us to escape His eternal wrath that we deserve – but only if we accept this merciful gift. He sent Christ Jesus, His only Son as the Messiah that would save His people. The Messiah lived the perfect life we could never live, yet was punished for our sin (2 Cor 5.21, 1 Pt 3.18). If we believe He did this for us, turning from sin (repenting) & putting all our trust in Him, Jesus Himself promises to save us & give us eternal life with Him. This is God's purpose for the Messiah & the only way of saving us – the only way necessary (Jn 14.6). Is Jesus your Messiah?
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
- Jn 3.36
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
- Jn 3.16-18
And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. - Acts 3.17-21