The Bible is made up of two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. While many people think of Jesus mainly in the New Testament, He is also found in the Old Testament. There are many verses that hint at His coming and show how He would save us. These verses help us understand God’s plan and the promise of Jesus long before He was born.
Today, we will look at some key Bible verses from the Old Testament that point to Jesus. These verses remind us that God had a special plan for humanity all along, and they show how Jesus is an important part of that plan. Let’s take a closer look at these amazing scriptures!
Bible Verses About Jesus In The Old Testament
Prophecies About Jesus
As we explore the prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament, we see how God prepared the hearts of His people for the coming Messiah. By giving early hints through the words of prophets, God made it clear that Jesus’s arrival was part of a bigger story. These prophecies are not only important historical markers but are filled with hope for us. Each verse we look at helps us to recognize how Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises and reveals the depth of His love for us. Let’s embrace these prophecies as we embark on understanding who Jesus is and how He connects us with God.
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
This verse delivers a powerful prophecy about the birth of Jesus. The virgin birth signifies the miraculous nature of His arrival, indicating that Jesus is no ordinary child. Immanuel, meaning “God with us,” emphasizes that through Jesus, God Himself would walk among humanity.
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
This verse describes the titles that speak of Jesus’s nature. These titles reflect His divine authority and His roles in our lives. As the Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace, Jesus brings wisdom and tranquility to our hearts.
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
Here, the prophecy is specific about the birthplace of Jesus, which highlights His humble beginnings. Despite being born in a small town, He would become the ruler over Israel, showcasing that God values humility and lowliness.
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.” – Zachariah 9:9
This prophecy foretells Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It symbolizes His arrival as a humble king, and it reminds us that God’s promise of salvation is wrapped in humility and grace, defying worldly expectations.
Isaiah 53:5
“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 53:5
This verse powerfully points to the suffering of Jesus and His redemptive purpose. It reassures us that through His suffering, we receive healing and peace. This is central to the message of hope in the Old Testament, pointing toward Christ’s sacrifice.
Types and Shadows of Jesus
In the Old Testament, we see many figures and events that represent or foreshadow Jesus’s coming. These types and shadows provide us with profound insights into His nature and the work He would accomplish. By recognizing these symbols, we gain a better understanding of how the entire biblical narrative points to Jesus. As we examine these examples, we can appreciate how God worked throughout history to prepare the way for His Son, reinforcing our faith and trust in His divine plan.
Genesis 22:8
“Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.” – Genesis 22:8
In this moment of sacrifice, Abraham’s statement about God providing the lamb foreshadows Jesus being the ultimate Lamb of God. It shows us the anticipation of God’s provision and the depth of faith in God’s promises, illustrating how the story of Jesus began long before His birth.
Exodus 12:13
“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” – Exodus 12:13
This verse refers to the Passover, where the lamb’s blood protected the Israelites. It symbolizes Jesus’s sacrificial role, highlighting how His blood protects us from judgment and death. Jesus as our Passover Lamb reconnects us to this powerful act of deliverance.
Numbers 21:9
“So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole; then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.” – Numbers 21:9
The bronze snake lifted up by Moses acted as a means of healing for the Israelites. This is a type pointing to the crucifixion of Jesus, where He would be lifted up for our salvation. Just as the people looked to the bronze snake for healing, we must look to Jesus for eternal life.
1 Samuel 16:13
“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.” – 1 Samuel 16:13
David’s anointing serves as a type of Jesus, the greater King. Knowing that Jesus comes from the line of David, we see a connection to God’s promise of an eternal kingdom through Christ. This points us toward understanding Jesus’s kingship.
Psalm 22:16
“Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.” – Psalm 22:16
This psalm is often viewed as a foreshadowing of Jesus’s crucifixion. The vivid description of His suffering provides insight into the pain He would endure. Recognizing this helps us understand God’s plan for redemption through suffering that leads to glory.
The Names of Jesus
The names of Jesus in the Old Testament reveal His character and attributes. Each name provides us with insight into who Jesus is and the roles He plays in our lives. By understanding these names, we learn more about God’s intentions for our relationship with Him through Jesus. As we delve into these names, we grasp the beauty of the complete picture of Jesus and how each aspect of His identity fulfills God’s promises to us.
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
This verse encapsulates various names attributed to Jesus. Each title portrays a different aspect of His divine nature, offering us comfort and assurance that He is everything we need. Recognizing Him as our Wonderful Counselor encourages us to seek His guidance in our lives.
Jeremiah 23:6
“This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.” – Jeremiah 23:6
The name “The Lord Our Righteous Savior” speaks volumes about Jesus’s mission. He not only saves us but embodies righteousness, reminding us that in Him, we find our justification. This highlights the importance of relying on His righteousness rather than our own.
Isaiah 40:9
“You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’” – Isaiah 40:9
In this verse, Jesus is heralded as the good news. We learn the importance of sharing this message and recognizing that Jesus embodies the hope that we wish to spread. This name calls us to be messengers of His love.
Isaiah 53:2
“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” – Isaiah 53:2
This verse speaks to Jesus’s humble appearance and reminds us that outward attractiveness is not what we should seek. Instead, our focus must be on His character and what He does for us, encouraging us to value the inner beauty of Jesus.
Psalm 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
This messianic psalm speaks to Jesus’s authority and victory over His enemies. It reassures us of His ultimate power and control over all circumstances—a comforting truth as we face our own battles.
The Promise of Salvation
The promise of salvation is woven throughout the Old Testament and points directly to Jesus. Each passage speaks of God’s desire to restore and redeem humanity through His Son. By reflecting on these promises, we discover the depth of God’s love and grace. They remind us that salvation is not merely a New Testament theme but a foundational truth evident from the very beginning. As we read these verses, let us rejoice in the assurance that salvation is a gift we can freely receive through faith in Jesus.
Jeremiah 31:34
“No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” – Jeremiah 31:34
This verse highlights God’s promise of forgiveness, assuring us that through Jesus, we have a direct relationship with Him. Knowing that our sins will be remembered no more showcases the grace that Jesus came to offer.
Isaiah 61:1
“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
In this verse, we see the mission of Jesus laid out clearly. He brings hope to the hopeless, healing to the broken, and freedom to the captives. This promise of salvation shines brightly in our lives, inviting us to partake in His mission.
Isaiah 42:6
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.” – Isaiah 42:6
This verse speaks to the promised covenant of salvation that Jesus represents. As a light for the Gentiles, He extends His reach beyond Israel, inviting all to know Him. Belonging to this covenant gives us immense hope and belonging in God’s family.
Psalm 130:7-8
“Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.” – Psalm 130:7-8
In these verses, we are reminded of the full redemption available through Christ. Placing our hope in the Lord assures us of His unfailing love and His promise to redeem us completely, echoing the central theme of salvation throughout the scriptures.
Isaiah 53:11
“After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.” – Isaiah 53:11
This verse emphasizes how Jesus’s suffering leads to justification for many. It reassures us that His work on our behalf results in restored relationship with God, illustrating the impact of His sacrifice on our lives.
The Role of Faith
Faith is central to understanding Jesus’s purpose in the Old Testament. Each account highlights how faith in God’s promises leads to redemption and salvation. Learning from the faith displayed by the characters in these stories, we recognize that trusting God is essential to our spiritual journey. By examining these verses, we can encourage one another to walk faithfully, believing in God’s goodness and His promises fulfilled in Jesus.
Habakkuk 2:4
“See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.” – Habakkuk 2:4
This verse captures the essence of faith, encouraging us to trust in God’s promises despite challenges. Our righteousness comes by faith, which ultimately leads us to Jesus and His gift of salvation, reminding us that faith is vital for our relationship with God.
Genesis 15:6
“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” – Genesis 15:6
Here we witness Abram’s faith being credited as righteousness. This truth encourages us that our faith in God through Jesus grants us righteousness as well. It invites us to look beyond our insufficiencies and trust in God’s plan for our lives.
Exodus 14:31
“And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” – Exodus 14:31
The Israelites’ response to God’s deliverance showcases the power of witnessing God’s miracles. Their faith inspires us to trust wholeheartedly in Jesus, who brings miraculous transformation into our lives and gives us hope amidst our circumstances.
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:” – Psalm 37:5
This verse reassures us of the importance of placing our trust in the Lord. By committing our ways to Him, we find peace in knowing Jesus directs our paths and fulfills His promises of grace and guidance in our lives.
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
The promise of perfect peace is a beautiful reminder of the reward of faith. As we keep our minds focused on Jesus, who fulfills God’s promises, we experience profound peace amid life’s uncertainties.
Hope and Restoration
Hope and restoration are major themes in the Old Testament, leading to the promise of Jesus. These verses provide assurances of God’s unfailing love and His desire to restore what was lost. The hope embedded within these scriptures calls us to look to Jesus as the ultimate source of restoration, assuring us that no matter how broken we feel, He has the power to renew us. Embracing this truth, we can find strength in times of difficulty and joy as we witness God’s redemptive work in our lives.
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
This verse invites us to place our hope in the Lord, promising renewal and strength. In Jesus, we find the reassurance that He can lift us despite our struggles, encouraging us to keep our faith alive.
Isaiah 61:3
“And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” – Isaiah 61:3
This verse encapsulates the restorative nature of Jesus. He transforms our grief into beauty and despair into joy, showing how He invites us into a renewed existence that reflects the hope God provides.
Hosea 6:1
“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.” – Hosea 6:1
Returning to the Lord is a great act of faith and hope. This verse illustrates that although God allows us to face difficulties, He promises to heal and restore us through Jesus, encouraging us to trust in His redemptive plan.
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
These verses provide a vibrant depiction of God’s compassion and faithfulness. Each day offers us a fresh start, reminding us that through Jesus, we receive renewed hope and restoration as we rely on His faithfulness.
Joel 2:25
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you.” – Joel 2:25
This promise of restoration reassures us that God can redeem lost time and opportunities. Jesus embodies this promise, showing us that with Him, there is always hope for a brighter future as He brings restoration into our lives.
Final Thoughts
In our exploration of Bible verses about Jesus in the Old Testament, we’ve uncovered the depth of God’s loving plan. From the prophecies that foretold His coming to the names that describe His character, every verse reveals a piece of the beautiful puzzle of who Jesus is. We also learned how types and shadows point toward His work, while the themes of faith, hope, and restoration encourage us to trust in His promises.
As we reflect on these scriptures, let us rejoice in the truth that Jesus is indeed the fulfillment of God’s promises. His presence in the Old Testament offers us hope and assurance that God has always intended for us to be in relationship with Him. We have every reason to celebrate this amazing gift and to share this message of grace with others.
For those wanting to delve deeper into related topics, I encourage you to explore Bible verses about Jesus’ birth and Bible verses about images of Jesus. These resources will help you grow further in understanding His nature and the message of salvation that is paramount in both the Old and New Testaments.