Today we will talk about old testament bible verses about Jesus. Many Christians do not realize that the Old Testament is filled with prophecies and references that connect to the life and mission of Jesus Christ. These verses not only enrich our understanding of who Jesus is but also deepen our faith. As we journey through these scriptures, let’s take a moment to open our hearts and minds, allowing God’s word to illuminate our path.
Old Testament Bible Verses About Jesus
Prophecies of His Birth
As we reflect on the Old Testament scriptures, we can’t help but be amazed at the profound prophecies concerning the birth of Jesus. These ancient writings not only forecast His arrival but also provide specific details about where and how He would come into the world. It’s awe-inspiring to see how God’s plan unfolded through the generations. We witness the promise of a Savior that permeates the text, offering hope and anticipation for the coming Messiah.
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14
Micah 5:2
“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
Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
Jeremiah 23:5
“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
Psalm 72:10-11
“The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him.” – Psalm 72:10-11
Signs of His Ministry
As we read the Old Testament, we come across a variety of signs that point directly to the ministry of Jesus. These scriptures highlight the powerful works He would perform and the impact He would have on those around Him. Each verse serves as a reminder of the divine intervention in human lives, affirming that the Messiah would not just be a distant figure but one who would actively engage with our pain and joys.
Isaiah 61:1-2
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” – Isaiah 61:1-2
Malachi 3:1
“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.” – Malachi 3:1
Isaiah 35:5-6
“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.” – Isaiah 35:5-6
Zachariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zechariah 9:9
Isaiah 53:4-5
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 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.” – Isaiah 53:4-5
His Suffering and Sacrifice
In our readings, we also come across vivid descriptions of the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus would endure. The Old Testament boldly addresses the cost of redemption. Understanding the pain He would go through helps us appreciate the depth of His love for us. It shines a light on that loving sacrifice, showing that through His suffering, we might find healing and restoration. These verses remind us of the incredible grace and mercy that flows from sacrifices made long before we even knew we needed Him.
Isaiah 53:3
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” – Isaiah 53:3
Psalms 22:16-18
“Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” – Psalms 22:16-18
Isaiah 53:6
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” – Isaiah 53:6
Psalm 69:21
“They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” – Psalm 69:21
Daniel 9:26
“After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the anointed one will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.” – Daniel 9:26
His Kingship
The Old Testament is rich with imagery and references that affirm the kingship of Jesus. These scriptures encourage us to see Jesus not just as a figure of history, but as the reigning King who guides us with his sovereignty. His kingship brings with it a sense of hope and promise. As we explore these verses, we realize that the kingdom of God is not something far off but is available to us now, inviting us into relationship and community.
Numbers 24:17
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” – Numbers 24:17
2 Samuel 7:12-13
“When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” – 2 Samuel 7:12-13
Psalms 2:6
“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” – Psalm 2:6
Psalms 110:1
“The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” – Psalm 110:1
Isaiah 16:5
“In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” – Isaiah 16:5
His Role as the High Priest
One wondrous aspect of Jesus’ mission revealed in the Old Testament is His role as our High Priest. The scriptures inform us about the significance of priesthood and how Jesus perfectly fulfills this role. He mediates between us and God and offers once and for all, the ultimate sacrifice. This understanding of Jesus as our High Priest encourages us to continually approach Him for grace and forgiveness, knowing that He fully understands our struggles and desires to intercede for us.
Exodus 28:1
“Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, and Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron. They are to serve me as priests.” – Exodus 28:1
Zechariah 6:13
“It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.” – Zechariah 6:13
Psalm 110:4
“The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'” – Psalm 110:4
Isaiah 53:10
“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.” – Isaiah 53:10
Hebrews 5:6
“And he says in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'” – Hebrews 5:6
The Call to Redemption
The Old Testament also contains powerful calls to redemption that foreshadow the work of Jesus. These texts invite us to understand the heart of God and His longing to restore us to Himself. The redemptive narrative throughout the scriptures shows that it has always been about reconciliation and relationship. This means that no matter where we find ourselves, we can always turn back to God, knowing He is ready to embrace us in His arms of grace.
Isaiah 40:1-2
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” – Isaiah 40:1-2
Ezekiel 36:26-27
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” – Ezekiel 36:26-27
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” – Isaiah 1:18
Joel 2:32
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverv, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls.” – Joel 2:32
Isaiah 55:7
“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7
The Promise of His Return
As we conclude our exploration, the Old Testament also offers glimpses of the return of Jesus. These passages convey hope and assurance that the King will one day return to establish His perfect kingdom. This promise of His return inspires us to live in eager anticipation, trusting in the fulfillment of His promises. Through these verses, we’re reminded that we are part of a bigger story, one that guarantees joy, peace, and eternal life for those who believe.
Daniel 7:13-14
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” – Daniel 7:13-14
Malachi 4:2
“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.” – Malachi 4:2
Isaiah 26:20-21
“Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his anger has passed by. See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins; the earth will disclose the blood shed on it; the earth will conceal its slain no longer.” – Isaiah 26:20-21
Psalms 96:13
“Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the people in his faithfulness.” – Psalms 96:13
Isaiah 11:9
“They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” – Isaiah 11:9
Final Thoughts
As we journey through the Old Testament verses about Jesus, we find a treasure trove of hope and promise. Each scripture reveals facets of who Jesus is, from His miraculous birth prophecies to the call for redemption and the assurance of His return. Understanding that these verses were part of a grand narrative culminating in our Savior’s life and mission gives us a deeper appreciation for His work. We are invited to embrace this story and let it transform our hearts and lives.
Reflecting on these truths encourages us to continue seeking Him in our lives. Whether we’re drawn to His compassion as our High Priest, His sovereign kingship, or the redemptive grace offered to us, there’s so much that He wants to speak into our hearts. May we dive deep into these scriptures as we nourish our faith and await His return with joyful anticipation.
Ultimately, the Old Testament beckons us to a relationship with Jesus, the promised Messiah. As we live out our days, may we carry these truths with us, sharing the light of His love with all those around us.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
