10 Old Testament prophecies about Jesus

The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies that Christians believe point to the coming of Jesus Christ. These prophetic scriptures not only enrich the understanding of Jesus's life and mission but also reveal a deep continuity between the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Here’s a look at ten significant Old Testament prophecies that many believe foretold the arrival of Jesus.

1. Born of a Virgin
   Prophecy: 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."
   This prophecy was fulfilled in the New Testament when Mary conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
2. Born in Bethlehem
   Prophecy: 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."
   The Gospel of Matthew (2:1) recounts Jesus's birth in Bethlehem.
3. A Descendant of Abraham
   Prophecy: Genesis 22:18
   "And through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
   Jesus is recognized as a descendant of Abraham, fulfilling God’s promise of blessing through his lineage.
4. A Descendant of David
   Prophecy: 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."
   The genealogy in the Gospels identifies Jesus as a descendant of David.
5. Betrayed for Thirty Pieces of Silver
   Prophecy: Zechariah 11:12-13
   "I told them, 'If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.' So they paid me thirty pieces of silver."
   Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver fulfills this ancient prophecy.
6. Silent Before His Accusers
   Prophecy: Isaiah 53:7
   "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter."
   This is seen in the Gospels during Jesus's trial when he remained silent.
7. Crucifixion and Piercing
   Prophecy: Psalm 22:16
   "Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet."
   The piercing of Jesus’s hands and feet during his crucifixion is fulfilled as described in the New Testament.
8. No Bones Broken
   Prophecy: Exodus 12:46/Psalms 34:20
   "He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken."
   This is fulfilled in the crucifixion account where the soldiers did not break Jesus's legs.
9. Buried with the Rich
   Prophecy: Isaiah 53:9
   "He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death."
   Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man, fulfilling this prediction.
10. Resurrection
    Prophecy: Psalm 16:10
    "Because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful ones see decay."
    This prophecy is believed to refer to Jesus’s resurrection as recounted in the Gospels.

These ten prophecies are but a glimpse of how the Old Testament lays a foundation for understanding the life and work of Jesus Christ. Each prophecy not only highlights a specific aspect of his identity but also emphasizes the continuity of God’s plan throughout history. For believers, these scriptures affirm faith in Jesus as the Messiah, who fulfills the promises made long before his earthly arrival.