Prophetic Parallels: Comparing Old Testament Prophecies with New Testament Fulfillments

Introduction

The Bible is a unified story that points to Yeshua. One of the most compelling aspects of this unity is the way Old Testament prophecies find their fulfillment in the New Testament. This post explores specific prophecies and their fulfillments, demonstrating the continuity and reliability of Scripture.

The Virgin Birth

Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14

• “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 1:22-23

• “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Significance: The prophecy of a virgin birth underscores the divine nature of Yeshua and His role as God with us.

The Birthplace of the Messiah

Old Testament Prophecy: Micah 5:2

• “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:1-6

• “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

Significance: This prophecy highlights Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah, emphasizing Yeshua’s fulfillment of the messianic promise.

The Suffering Servant

Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 53:3-7

• “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief… But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

New Testament Fulfillment: 1 Peter 2:24

• “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Significance: This prophecy details the suffering and sacrificial death of the Messiah, fulfilled in Yeshua’s crucifixion, illustrating the atonement for sin.

The Triumphal Entry

Old Testament Prophecy: Zechariah 9:9

• “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”

New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 21:4-5

• “All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”

Significance: The triumphal entry prophecy emphasizes the humility and kingship of Yeshua as He enters Jerusalem.

The Betrayal for Thirty Pieces of Silver

Old Testament Prophecy: Zechariah 11:12-13

• “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.”

New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:9-10

• “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.”

Significance: This prophecy and its fulfillment in Yeshua’s betrayal by Judas underscore the exactness of scriptural prophecy.

The Crucifixion

Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 22:16-18

• “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”

New Testament Fulfillment: John 19:23-24

• “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots.”

Significance: The details of the crucifixion, foretold in Psalm 22, illustrate the fulfillment of prophecy in the suffering and death of Yeshua.

Conclusion

The prophetic parallels between the Old and New Testaments reveal the divine orchestration of biblical events and the reliability of Scripture. These fulfillments strengthen our faith in Yeshua as the promised Messiah and demonstrate the continuity of God’s redemptive plan.