Jesus is believed to have fulfilled numerous prophecies from the Old Testament, with estimates varying widely depending on the source. Many scholars and theologians point to at least 300 prophecies regarding the Messiah that Jesus is said to have fulfilled. Here are some key prophecies along with their biblical references:
1. **Born of a virgin**:
– 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.”
2. **Born in Bethlehem**:
– Micah 5:2 – “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”
3. **A descendant of Abraham**:
– Genesis 22:18 – “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
4. **A descendant of David**:
– Jeremiah 23:5 – “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.”
5. **Born in Bethlehem**:
– Matthew 2:1 – “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king.”
6. **A ministry of miracles**:
– Isaiah 35:5-6 – “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing.”
7. **Riding on a donkey**:
– Zechariah 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
8. **Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver**:
– Zechariah 11:12 – “Then I said to them, ‘If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.’ So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.”
9. **Crucifixion**:
– Psalm 22:16 – “For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet.”
10. **Resurrection**:
– Psalm 16:10 – “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”
11. **Ascension to heaven**:
– Psalm 68:18 – “You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men.”
These examples illustrate some of the prophecies attributed to Jesus’ life and ministry, showing how the New Testament writers referenced Old Testament scriptures to affirm His Messiahship. Different interpretations and additional prophecies can be found within various theological frameworks.