Although the Old Testament was written long before Jesus came to the earth, it accurately prophesied what Jesus would do. That is why Jesus said, “The Bible testifies about Me” (Jn 5:39), and after His resurrection, He testified about Himself through the prophecies of the Old Testament (Lk 24:25–27, 44–45). Although He appeared in a form that had no beauty to attract people, the apostles and the saints of the early Church received Jesus as Christ only through the prophecies of the Bible. Let’s take a look at some of the prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament and their fulfillment, which is the convincing evidence to prove the Savior who came to this earth.
Prophecy of Jesus’ Birth
Jesus’ parents, Joseph and Mary, lived in Nazareth, a town in Galilee (Lk 2:4–5). They happened to go to Bethlehem in Judea, far away to the south, and gave birth to Jesus there. By doing so, they fulfilled a prophecy in the Bible in a moment they didn’t know.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Mic 5:2
The book of Micah was written about 700 years before Jesus came. It said that God, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times, and who would rule over Israel, would come out of Bethlehem. This prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus, God in true nature, being born in Bethlehem.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod . . . Mt 2:1–6
When Jesus was born, Israel was under Roman rule. Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor, issued a decree of census to all countries that belonged to his empire, in order to collect taxes. At the command of the emperor, Joseph who was a descendant of David had to go to David’s hometown, Bethlehem in Judea. Joseph and his wife Mary who was at full term, traveled a long distance of over 100 kilometers, and eventually Mary gave birth to Jesus there.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world . . . So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Lk 2:1–7
In this world, no one is able to choose the place where they will be born. However, Jesus was born exactly in Bethlehem as prophesied. It was no coincidence that the Roman emperor issued a decree and that Joseph had to go to Bethlehem with his pregnant wife. It was God’s work to fulfill the prophecies of the Bible.
Prophecy of Jesus’ Ministry
There are also many prophecies about Jesus in the book of Isaiah which was written about 700 years ago from the time of Jesus.
A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God . . .” “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power . . . He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isa 40:3, 9–11
The words, “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD” means, “Prepare the way for God in advance before He comes to this earth.” It was prophesied that after the way for God was prepared, the LORD God Himself would come as a shepherd. This prophecy was fulfilled by John the Baptist and Jesus.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” Mt 3:1–3
It was not by chance that John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus in the desert, but according to the prophecies of the Bible. There is also a prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah 9.
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan- The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isa 9:1–2
Both Zebulun and Naphtali belong to the region of Galilee. Since Galilee was located at the northern end of Israel, it was frequently invaded by the Gentiles and greatly influenced by the Gentile culture. The Gentiles worshiped other gods and ate unclean food, so the Israelites regarded them as unclean and despise them. In this situation, it would be very difficult to think that God’s great work would take place in Galilee. However, God said that He would shine a great light on Galilee. This prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus shining the light of the gospel on Galilee.
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali–to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah . . . From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” . . . Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom . . . Mt 4:12–17, 23
Jesus came to this earth to give eternal life to people who were groaning in the agony of death (Jn 10:10), and for this, He preached the gospel of the kingdom to them. In this way, Jesus exactly fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 9 by shining the light of life in Galilee by preaching the gospel there. The book of Zechariah, too, prophesied what Jesus would do 500 years later.
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zec 9:9
The prophecy, “The king of Zion will ride on a donkey,” was fulfilled when Jesus, the King of Zion, entered Jerusalem.
[T]he great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. Jn 12:12–16
Besides these prophecies, there are many prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus who would come as the Savior.
“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.” . . . Dt 18:18–19
The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Ps 110:4
It was a prophecy that a prophet like Moses and a priest who follows the order of Melchizedek, would appear in the future. Accordingly, like Moses, Jesus freed humankind from the slavery of sin through the Passover. And like Melchizedek, He gave the forgiveness of sins and eternal life through bread and wine on the Passover. That’s why the apostles testified that Jesus was the Christ who fulfilled the prophecies of the Bible (Ac 3:22–24; Heb 5:8–10).
Prophecy of Jesus’ Suffering
The prophet Isaiah also prophesied about Christ’s suffering.
[H]e was despised and rejected by men . . . But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities . . . by his wounds we are healed . . . Isa 53:1–6
According to this prophecy, Jesus was despised for the sins of humankind, pierced with nails and spears, and flogged.
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified . . . They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. Mt 27:26–30
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. Jn 19:34
The Bible even prophesied what would happen after Jesus died on the cross, and this too was exactly fulfilled.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death . . . Isa 53:9
According to the above prophecy, when Jesus died on the cross, there were two robbers, the wicked, on His left and right sides; and His body was placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea who was rich.
Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Mt 27:38
As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body . . . Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mt 27:57–60
The reason God prophesied in detail about Christ who would come to the earth was to make people believe that the one who fulfills all the prophecies in the Bible is the Christ. The reason we can believe that Jesus is the Christ and Savior among so many people who have been born on this earth, is that Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies of the Bible.
The prophecies about the Savior did not end 2,000 years ago, but they are still being fulfilled. The Bible prophesied that Jesus would come a second time (Heb 9:28). Numerous prophecies that will be fulfilled by Jesus coming a second time are recorded throughout the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. When you diligently study these prophecies and their fulfillment, you will be able to receive Jesus who comes a second time.