20 Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled

The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ saw the fulfilment of an astonishing number of Old Testament prophecies, as Jesus himself pointed out to the two dejected disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27). Here are just a few:

1. Birth of the Messiah
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel,” (Isaiah 7:14).
Fulfilment (Matthew 1:22-23, Luke 1:30-35): Jesus’ virgin birth is clearly presented in the Gospels as the fulfilment of this prophecy. Also, “Immanuel” means “God with us,” which underscores the divine nature of Jesus and his mission to be with his people.

2. Born in Bethlehem
“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,” (Micah 5:2).
Fulfilment (Matthew 2:1-6, Luke 2:4-7): Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is a direct fulfilment of this prophecy.

3. A descendant of David
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land,” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
Fulfilment (Matthew 1:1, Luke 3:23-38): Jesus’ genealogy is traced through David in both Matthew and Luke, emphasising his rightful claim as the heir to David’s throne.

4. The forerunner of the Messiah
“A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God,’” (Isaiah 40:3).
Fulfilment (Matthew 3:1-3, Mark 1:2-4, Luke 3:4-6): John the Baptist, as the forerunner of Jesus, fulfilled this by preparing the way for the coming Messiah.

5. He would be rejected by his people
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain,” (Isaiah 53:3).
Fulfilment (John 1:11, Mark 6:3): Jesus faced rejection from his own people, particularly the religious leaders and those from his hometown of Nazareth.

6. Betrayed by a friend
“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me,” (Psalm 41:9).
Fulfilment (Matthew 26:14-16, 47-50, John 13:18-30): Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, betrayed Him, fulfilling this prophecy.

7. The 30 pieces of silver
“I told them, ‘If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.’ So they paid me thirty pieces of silver,” (Zechariah 11:12-13).
Fulfilment (Matthew 26:14-16, 27:3-10): Judas agreed to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

8. Silent before his accusers
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth,” (Isaiah 53:7).
Fulfilment (Matthew 27:12-14, Mark 15:3-5): During his trial, Jesus remained largely silent, fulfilling the prophetic image of the suffering servant.

9. Pierced hands and feet
“They pierce my hands and my feet,” (Psalm 22:16).
Fulfilment (John 19:34-37, Luke 24:39-40): Jesus was nailed to the cross, fulfilling this prophecy.

10. Mocked and insulted
“All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads,” (Psalm 22:7-8).
Fulfilment (Matthew 27:39-40, Mark 15:29-32): Jesus was mocked on the cross.

11. Given vinegar to drink
“They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst,” (Psalm 69:21).
Fulfilment (Matthew 27:34, John 19:29): Jesus was offered sour wine on the cross.

12. Not a bone broken
“He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken,” (Psalm 34:20).
Fulfilment (John 19:33-36): Jesus' legs were not broken at his death.

13. His side would be pierced
“They will look on me, the one they have pierced,” (Zechariah 12:10).
Fulfilment (John 19:34-37): A Roman soldier pierced Jesus’ side with a spear.

14. He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb
“He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death,” (Isaiah 53:9).
Fulfilment (Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:40-47): Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man.

15. Resurrection on the third day
“On the third day he will restore us,” (Hosea 6:2).
Fulfilment (Matthew 16:21, Luke 24:46): Jesus rose on the third day.

16. The ascension to Heaven
“When you ascended on high, you took many captives,” (Psalm 68:18).
Fulfilment (Acts 1:9, Ephesians 4:8): Jesus ascended to heaven.

17. He would be a light to the Gentiles
“I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,” (Isaiah 49:6).
Fulfilment (Luke 2:32, Acts 13:47): Jesus’ ministry reached beyond Israel.

18. His ministry would bring healing
“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,” (Isaiah 35:5-6).
Fulfilment (Matthew 11:4-5, Luke 7:22): Jesus healed the blind, deaf and lame.

19. He would be a prophet like Moses
“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me,” (Deuteronomy 18:15).
Fulfilment (Acts 3:22, John 6:14): Jesus is identified as a prophet like Moses.

20. He would enter Jerusalem on a donkey
“See, your king comes to you… riding on a donkey,” (Zechariah 9:9).
Fulfilment (Matthew 21:1-11, John 12:14-15): Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.