One of the most compelling evidences for the truth of Christianity is fulfilled prophecy. Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the Old Testament recorded remarkably specific details about the coming Messiah—where He would be born, His lineage, His ministry, the manner of His death, and even His resurrection. These prophecies were written centuries before the events they describe, making them powerful evidence that the Bible is no ordinary book and that Jesus is the promised Savior of the world.
The following are some of the clearest and best-known Messianic prophecies, along with their corresponding New Testament fulfillments. As you read through them, consider the cumulative force of the evidence. Any one fulfilled prophecy is noteworthy. Taken together, they present an extraordinary case that Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be—the long-awaited Messiah foretold by the prophets.
|
Topic |
Old Testament |
New Testament |
|
Messiah to be the seed of the Woman |
Genesis 3:15 |
Galatians 4:4 |
|
Messiah to be the seed of Abraham |
Genesis 12:3; 18:18 |
Luke 3:23,34 |
|
Messiah to be of the tribe of Judah |
Genesis 49:10 |
Luke 3:33 |
|
Messiah to be of the seed of Jacob |
Numbers 24:17, 19 |
Matthew 1:1-2 |
|
Messiah to be of the seed of David |
Psalm 132:11 |
Matthew 1:6 |
|
Messiah to be a prophet like Moses |
Deut. 18:15, 19 |
Matthew 21:11 |
|
Messiah to be the Son of God |
Psalm 2:7 |
Luke 1:32 |
|
Messiah to be raised from the dead |
Psalm 16:10 |
Acts 13:35-37 |
|
Messiah to experience crucifixion |
Psalm 22 |
Matthew 27:34-50 |
|
Messiah to be betrayed by a friend |
Psalm 41:9 |
John 13:18, 21 |
|
Messiah to ascend to heaven |
Psalm 68:18 |
Luke 24:51 |
|
Homage and tribute paid to Messiah by great kings |
Psalm 72:10-11 |
Matthew 2:1-11 |
|
Messiah to be a priest like Melchizedek |
Psalm 110:4 |
Hebrews 5:5-6 |
|
Messiah to be at the right hand of God |
Psalm 110:1 |
Matthew 26:64 |
|
Messiah, the stone which the builders rejected, to become the head cornerstone |
Psalm 118:22-23 |
Matthew 21:42-43 |
|
Messiah to be born of a virgin |
Isaiah 7:14 |
Matthew 1:18-25 |
|
Galilee to be the first area of Messiah’s ministry |
Isaiah 9:1-8 |
Matthew 4:12-16 |
|
Messiah will be meek and mild |
Isaiah 42:2-3 |
Matthew 12:18-20 |
|
Messiah will minister to the Gentiles |
Isaiah 42:1 |
Matthew 12:21 |
|
Messiah will be smitten |
Isaiah 50:6 |
Matthew 26:67 |
|
Messiah to suffer, die and rise again |
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 |
The four gospels |
|
The new and everlasting Covenant |
Isaiah 55:3-4 |
Matthew 26:28 |
|
Messiah as the right arm of God |
Isaiah 59:16 |
John 12:38 |
|
Messiah as intercessor |
Isaiah 59:16 |
Hebrews 9:15 |
|
Twofold mission of the Messiah |
Isaiah 61:1-11 |
Luke 4:16-21 |
|
Messiah will perform miracles |
Isaiah 35:5-6 |
John 11:47 |
|
Messiah is called “The Lord” |
Jeremiah 23:5-6 |
Acts 2:36 |
|
The time of Messiah’s coming prophesied |
Daniel 9:24-26 |
Galatians 4:4 |
|
Bethlehem to be the place of Messiah’s birth |
Micah 5:2 |
Matthew 2:1 |
|
Messiah will enter the Temple with authority |
Malachi 3:1 |
Matthew 21:12 |
|
Messiah will enter Jerusalem on a donkey |
Zechariah 9:9 |
Matthew 21:1-10 |
|
Messiah will be pierced |
Zechariah 12:10 |
John 19:34, 37 |
|
Messiah to be forsaken by his disciples |
Zechariah 13:7 |
Matthew 26:31, 56 |
|
The coming of the Holy Spirit in the days of the Messiah |
Joel 2:28-29 |
Acts 2:16-18 |
|
Opposition of the nations; Messiah’s final victory over death |
Psalm 2:2 |
Revelation 19:19 |
|
The glorious Messiah; Messiah as King |
Isaiah 63:1 |
Revelation 19:11-16 |
|
Submission of all nations to Messiah’s rule |
Isaiah 2:4 |
Revelation 12:5 |
|
The Gentiles shall seek the Messiah of Israel |
Isaiah 11:10 |
Romans 11:25 |
