JESUS: OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT PARALLELS
The Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments, presents a unified narrative of God’s plan for humanity’s redemption through Jesus Christ. This exploration highlights the parallels between Jesus and Old Testament prophecies and figures, illustrating the continuity and fulfillment of God’s promises.
TORAH
The Torah, or the Law of Moses, contains the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books provide the foundation for understanding Jesus’ role in God’s plan.
1. The Protoevangelium
Genesis 3:15 – “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; they will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.”
– Fulfillment in Jesus: Jesus is the offspring of the woman who crushes the serpent’s head. “The Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn 3:8b).
2. Melchizedek
Genesis 14:18 – “Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High.”
– Fulfillment in Jesus: Jesus is a priest according to the order of Melchizedek. “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 7:17).
3. God’s Covenant with Abraham
Genesis 17:7 – “I will maintain my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting covenant, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”
– Fulfillment in Jesus: Jesus is the ultimate descendant through whom the covenant is fulfilled. “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his descendant. It does not say, ‘And to descendants,’ as referring to many, but as referring to one, ‘And to your descendant,’ who is Christ” (Gal 3:16).
4. Jacob’s Prophecy
Genesis 49:10 – “The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his feet, until tribute comes to him, and he receives the people’s obedience.”
– Fulfillment in Jesus: Jesus arises from the tribe of Judah. “It is clear that our Lord arose from Judah” (Heb 7:14).
5. Balaam’s Oracle
Numbers 24:17 – “A star shall advance from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel.”
– Fulfillment in Jesus: Jesus is the star from Jacob. “And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses” (Rev 19:14).
PROPHETS AND THEIR FULFILLMENT IN JESUS
The Prophets, comprising the Former and Latter Prophets, provide numerous prophecies fulfilled in Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel, written for Jewish-Christian readers, extensively references these prophecies.
1. Isaiah’s Prophecies
– Isaiah 7:14 – “The virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel” (Mt 1:23).
– Isaiah 9:1-2 – “The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light” (Mt 4:15-16).
– Isaiah 53:4 – “He took away our infirmities and bore our diseases” (Mt 8:17).
– Isaiah 42:1-4 – “He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles” (Mt 12:18-21).
– Isaiah 6:9-10 – “You shall indeed hear but not understand, …” (Mt 13:14-15).
– Isaiah 29:13 – “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Mt 15:7-9).
– Isaiah 40:3 – “A voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord …’” (Mt 3:3).
2. Micah’s Prophecy
Micah 5:1 – Jesus Christ was born in “Bethlehem of Judea” (Mt 2:5-6).
3. Hosea’s Prophecy
Hosea 11:1 – “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Mt 2:14-15).
4. Jeremiah’s Prophecy
Jeremiah 31:15 – “Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled” (Mt 2:16-18).
5. Malachi’s Prophecy
Malachi 3:1 – “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you …” (Mt 11:10).
6. Zechariah’s Prophecies
– Zechariah 9:9 – “Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass” (Mt 21:4-5).
– Zechariah 13:7 – “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed” (Mt 26:31).
– Zechariah 11:13 – “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of a man” (Mt 27:9-10).
PSALMS AND THEIR FULFILLMENT IN JESUS
The Psalms, part of the Writings (Ketuvim), include numerous Messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus.
1. Parables and Prophecies
– Psalm 78:2 – “I will open my mouth in a parable” (Mt 13:34-35).
– Psalm 118:22-23 – “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone …” (Mt 21:42).
– Psalm 110:1 – “Sit at my right hand, while I make your enemies your footstool” (Mt 22:44).
– Psalm 22:19 – “They divide my garments among them; for my clothing they cast lots” (Mt 27:35).
2. Other References in Psalms
– Psalm 72:10 – Wise men would worship Jesus and present Him gifts (Mt 2:11).
– Psalm 8:3 – “Out of the mouths of infants and nurslings you have brought forth praise” (Mt 21:16).
– Psalm 69:9 – “His own people did not accept him” (Jn 1:11).
– Psalm 69:10; 119:139 – “Zeal for your house will consume me” (Jn 2:17).
– Psalm 22:7-8 – “Likewise the chief priests, with the Scribes, mocked him” (Mk 15:29-32).
– Psalm 31:6 – “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Lk 23:46).
– Psalm 22:17 – “They will look upon him whom they have pierced” (Jn 19:37).
– Psalm 16:10 – “He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said” (Mt 28:6).
– Psalm 24:7-10 – He “was taken up into heaven” (Mk 16:19).
– Psalm 110:1 – He “took his seat at the right hand of God” (Mk 16:19).
The parallels between the Old and New Testaments affirm that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises. This interconnectedness highlights the divine orchestration of salvation history and strengthens our faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
REFLECTION
As Christians, understanding these connections deepens our appreciation of the Bible’s unity and God’s unwavering faithfulness. It encourages us to trust in God’s plan for our lives, knowing that He works through all circumstances to fulfill His purposes.