Beyond Coincidence: Jesus' Birth Prophesied In Old Testament

Jesus Birth Prophesied In Old Testament: Coincidence? Not likely. Whispers of Jesus’ birth echo through the Old Testament like clues hidden in a puzzle. Unwrap these ancient prophecies with me, unraveling clues veiled in scripture. Join me on a journey beyond Bethlehem, where history hums with anticipation.

In this article, we will see the prophecies based on their Old Testament book order and for each one, there is a verse showing its fulfillment in the New Testament. Was Jesus’ arrival foretold? Let’s delve into this blog post and unveil the answer!

Table of Contents

Jesus Birth Prophesied In Old Testament – #1 Messiah

Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 53:5-6: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
New Testament Fulfillment:
- Suffering and Sacrifice: Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is depicted as the suffering servant who takes on the sins of humanity. For example, in John 3:16, Jesus says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
- Peace through Atonement: Romans 5:1 explains, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In addition to the prophecy about the Messiah, let’s go ahead to see that of the conception of the virgin.

Jesus Birth Prophesied In Old Testament – #2 Born of a Virgin

Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
New Testament Fulfillment:
- Annunciation: The Gospel of Luke describes the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she would conceive and bear a son by the Holy Spirit, despite being a virgin (Luke 1:26-31).
- Virgin Birth: Both Matthew and Luke record the virgin birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-7).

Furthermore, let’s see the prophecy of the birth place of Jesus.

Jesus Birth Prophesied In Old Testament – #3 Born in Bethlehem

Old Testament Prophecy: Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet from you shall come forth for me the one who is to rule Israel, whose goings out are from of old, from everlasting.”
New Testament Fulfillment:
- Travel to Bethlehem: According to the Gospels, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census, fulfilling the prophecy (Luke 2:4-6).
- Birthplace: Both Matthew and Luke record Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4-7).

Apart from the birthplace of Jesus, equally important is the First Promise, some also refer to is as the woman’s promise because it focuses on the role of the woman’s offspring in the prophecy.

Jesus Birth Prophesied In Old Testament – #4 First Promise

Genesis 3 vs. 15 — Image Source – canva.com

Old Testament Prophecy: Genesis 3:15: Hidden within the Garden of Eden’s tale lies a glimpse into the future. God declares, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” This cryptic verse, known as the Protoevangelium, hints at a future battle between good and evil, personified by a serpent and the woman’s offspring. The serpent’s crushed head signifies ultimate victory, while the heel injury foreshadows suffering for the victor.

New Testament Fulfillment: Christians see Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus embodies the woman’s offspring, locked in a cosmic struggle with Satan, the serpent personified. His death and resurrection mark the crushing of the serpent’s head, securing victory over evil and offering salvation to humanity. Though he endured the pain symbolized by the heel injury, his sacrifice paved the way for eternal life.

Jesus Birth Prophesied In Old Testament – #5 Abrahamic Covenant

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Old Testament Prophecy: Genesis 12:3 A promise echoes through time as God speaks to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” This powerful covenant extends God’s favor to Abraham’s descendants, hinting at a future blessing for all nations. The prophecy whispers of a descendant who will carry this blessing, a source of hope and salvation for the world.

New Testament Fulfillment: Christians believe Jesus Christ, descended from Abraham through King David, embodies the fulfillment of this prophecy. Through his teachings, life, death, and resurrection, Jesus offered redemption and salvation not just to the Israelites, but to all people across the globe. His message of love and forgiveness transcends borders and backgrounds, a testament to the universal blessing promised centuries before.

The Birth of Jesus Foretold Summary

According to the BBC, the birth of Jesus was foretold when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would have a son named Jesus. The angel said, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God”.

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth with a message for Mary, who was promised in marriage to Joseph. The angel told Mary that she would have a son, whom she was to name Jesus. The angel said, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.”

Birth of Jesus was also foretold by the prophets Isaiah and Micah:

Isaiah 7:14: A pure young woman will give birth to God’s son
Isaiah 9:6: Jesus Christ will come as a baby
Micah 5:2: Jesus will be born in Bethlehem

According to the Bible, Jesus was born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph. Because there was no room for them in the town, the infant was laid in a manger. Angels announced his birth to a group of shepherds who worshipped him as Messiah and Lord.

Prophecies of Jesus Death in Old Testament

It will interest you to know that there were not only prophecies of Jesus birth in the old testament there were also prophecies of events leading to his death, his actual death, burial and resurrection

Here are some amazing accounts;

Grand Entrance

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Hundreds of years before, the prophet Zechariah described the hero riding into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt, just like Jesus did during his triumphant entry! (Matthew 21:4-10, Zechariah 9:9)

Backstabbing Buddy

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Shockingly, the Bible even predicted that one of Jesus’ close friends would betray him, turning him in for 30 pieces of silver! (John 13:18, Psalm 41:9, Matthew 26:14-16, Zechariah 11:12)

Pottery Purchase

That silver wouldn’t go to waste. The prophet Zechariah said it would be used to buy a potter’s field, and guess what? That’s exactly what happened with Jesus’ betrayal money! (Matthew 27:3-10, Zechariah 11:13)

Ultimate Sacrifice

the most mind-blowing prediction is this: the Bible spoke of a hero who would die a painful death for everyone’s sins! Jesus, even though innocent, willingly gave his life to rescue us from darkness. (Matthew 27:50, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Daniel 9:26, Isaiah 53:8)

Buried with Honor

Even death couldn’t hold the hero back. The Psalmist and Isaiah declared he would rise from the grave, and just like that, Jesus conquered death and brought hope to the world! (Matthew 28:6, Psalm 16:8-11, Isaiah 53:10)

The Empty Tomb: A Prophecy Reborn

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David’s Promise: Hundreds of years before, King David prophesied, “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” (Psalm 16:10) Boom! Jesus rises, proving death has no hold on him.
The Empty Room: When the women who loved Jesus arrived at his tomb, they found it… empty! Not looted, not destroyed, just empty. An angel explained, “He is not here, for he has risen!” (Matthew 28:6) Talk about a mic drop!
Proof in the Pudding: Not everyone believed, of course. But Jesus didn’t stay hidden. He appeared to his friends, alive and well, sharing meals, even showing them his scars. Talk about convincing evidence! (Luke 24:36-43)

The resurrection of Jesus isn’t just a cool story – it’s a game-changer. It means death isn’t the end, and hope doesn’t have an expiration date. It means Jesus conquered the grave, paving the way for us to follow.

This isn’t ancient history locked in a book – it’s a living promise that whispers hope into every human heart. The empty tomb isn’t just a hole in the ground, it’s an invitation to a life beyond our wildest dreams. And guess what? You’re invited.

Wrap Up

These are just a few of the many prophecies perfectly fulfilled in Jesus’ life. It’s not like lucky guesses – it’s like God, the master storyteller, planted clues throughout his entire book, leading everyone towards an incredible revelation.

These interwoven threads of prophecy, stretching from the Garden of Eden to the plains of Mesopotamia, offer a glimpse into the grand narrative of faith. Through the birth, life, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Christians see the culmination of these ancient promises, a testament to the enduring power of hope and God’s unwavering love for humanity. And the best part? This hero isn’t just a legend from a dusty book. He’s alive, ready to offer his love and forgiveness to anyone who seeks him. The amazing story continues, and you can be a part of it!

The conclusion is beautifully summarized in 1 Cor. 15:2-6:

“By this gospel you are saved…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time…”

Jesus Birth Prophesied In Old Testament – FAQ

How many times is the Messiah mentioned in the Old Testament?

The Greek Septuagint version of the Old Testament renders all 39 instances of the Hebrew mašíaḥ as Khristós (Χριστός). The New Testament records the Greek transliteration Messias (Μεσσίας) twice in John.

When did Jesus first say he was the Messiah?

In His arraignment before Caiaphas, He was asked, “Art thou the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Blessed?” He answered, “I am.” (Mark 14:61, 62.) Jesus declared His Messiahship by direct testimony. One of the first instances when Jesus disclosed His true identity was with Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin.

What does Messiah mean in Hebrew?

Messiah. [ (muh-seye-uh) ] In Judaism and Christianity, the promised “anointed one” or Christ; the Savior. Christians (see also Christian) believe that Jesus was the Messiah who delivered humans from original sin (see also original sin)

What are the 7 names of Jesus?