Did the Old Testament Really Prophesize the Birth of Jesus?

Prophecies are one of the many, and very interesting, tools God uses to reveal Himself and His benevolent plan to the Faithful. From the very beginning of the Book of Genesis, we see prophecies revealed to us, a theme that continues throughout the entirety of the Bible.

Of the countless prognostications foretold in both the Old Testament, the greatest amount foretell the coming of a Messiah – with some theologians placing the number of Messianic prophecies in the hundreds. How do we know that the birth of Jesus fulfilled the long foretold prophecies in the promise of God to send a savior to His people?

While there are hundreds of Messianic prophecies, there are some that are considered the clearest and most important which prove definitively Christ fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament – here’s a few of them.

The Birth of Christ

The Old Testament foretells the Messiah will be born to a young virgin woman, and named Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” In the New Testament, we see the angel Gabriel come to Mary and tell her she is with child, and that He will be called the Son of God.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel [with us is God]” – Isaiah 7:14
“And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” – Luke 1:35

The Ministry of Christ

The Old Testament speaks that the Messiah will cure those afflicted by disease, the mute and deaf, the lame and dumb. One of the many miracles of Christ seen throughout the gospel is His healing of the sick.

“The eyes of those who see will not be closed; the ears of those who hear will be attentive.” – Isaiah 32:3-4
“and when the demon was driven out the mute person spoke. Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.” – Matthew 9:33, 35

The Lineage of Christ

The Old Testament speaks that God will deliver Israel through a king from the the house of David. The Book of Matthew emphasizes Christ is the royal Messiah by placing Him first as the Son of David, and the Son of Abraham second.

“But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathaha, least among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel;” – Micah 5:2
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” – Matthew 1:1

These are but a few prophecies of the Old Testament fulfilled by Christ and seen in the New Testament. Look here to see more of the many examples throughout the Bible of Messianic prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus Christ.

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