The Testimony of Jesus in the Scriptures

The Testimony of Jesus in the Scriptures

In Luke 4:14-30 we read: "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way, (The Jews could not stand the truth that G-d had fed and/or healed the Goyam (Gentiles) before He healed them!) But Jesus only read from part of this Prophetic sentence in Isaiah 61:1-3 wherein we read: "The Spirit of the Lord G-D is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our G-d; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." This day are these remaining scriptures fulfilled in your ears.

The Testimony of Jesus in the Scriptures -- ''Abraham rejoiced to see My day.'' ''Moses wrote of Me.'' ''David called [Me] Lord.'' (John 8:56; 5:46; Matthew 22:45) With regard to our Lord's reference to the Books of Moses, the testimony is peculiarly emphatic. It was no mere . ''Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet none of you keepeth the Law?'' (John 7:19) ''Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me; for he wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?'' (John 5:46,47). He condemned the traditions with which the Pharisees overlaid the laws and teaching of Moses as ''making the word of G-d of none effect'' (Mark 7:13). To the leper He said, ''Go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded'' (Matthew 8:4).

From a careful study of the Gospels, we cannot fail to see that the Old Testament Scriptures were continually upon Christ's lips, because [they] were always hidden in His heart. In the temptation in the wilderness, He defeated the devil, not with any manifestation of His Divine glory, not by a power which we cannot wield, not even by His own words; but He fell back upon written words which had strengthened the saints of many ages, thus showing us how we also may meet and foil our great adversary. It is specially helpful to note that it is out of Deuteronomy that our Lord selects, ''as pebbles from the clear brook'' [1 Samuel 17:39,40], His three conclusive answers to the tempter (Deuteronomy 8:3; 6:13,14; 6:16; Matthew 4:1-11). In the Sermon on the Mount the Lord said, ''Think not that I am come to destroy the Law and the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For, verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled'' (Matthew 5:17-19).

Compare what Jesus says to scriptures from the Old Testament e.g., He refers to twenty Old Testament characters. He quotes from nineteen different books. He refers to the creation of man, to the institution of marriage, to the history of Noah, of Abraham, of Lot, and to the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah; to the appearing of G-d to Moses in the bush, to the manna, to the ten commandments, to the tribute money mentioned in Exodus. He refers to the ceremonial law for the purification of lepers, and to the great moral law, ''Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,'' both contained in Leviticus. [He refers] to the brazen serpent, and the law regarding vows, in Numbers. He refers to David's flight to the high priest at Nob, to the glory of Solomon and the visit of the Queen of the Sheba, to Elijah's sojourn with the widow of Sarepta, to the healing of Naaman, and to the killing of Zechariah. ''Have ye not read?'' or ''It is written,'' is constantly on Jesus' lips. ''The Scripture cannot be broken,'' ''The Scriptures testify of Me,'' ''The Scripture must be fulfilled,'' Jesus constantly makes these mentions in His teachings. Questioned concerning the resurrection, Jesus answered, ''Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures. Have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by G-d, saying, I am the G-d of Abraham, and the G-d of Isaac, and the G-d of Jacob? G-d is not the G-d of the dead, but of the living.'' Jesus instructs the Sadducees that they do not understand the fact of the resurrection, and He asserts that the very words uttered by G-d are contained in His scriptures (Matthew 22:29-32).

As He drew near to the Cross, Jesus said: ''Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished'' (Luke 18:31). ''For I say unto you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, - And He was reckoned with transgressors: for that which concerneth Me hath fulfillment'' (Luke 22:37). On the night of His betrayal, in the shade of Olivet, three times our Saviour points to the fulfillment of these Scriptures in Himself (see Matthew 26:31,53,54; Mark 14:48,49). Three of His seven utterances upon the Cross were in the words of Scripture, and He died with one of them on His lips.

On the very day that Jesus rose from the dead, He said to the two disciples going to Emmanus, ''O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself'' (Luke 24:25-27). Here again Jesus instructs us on how He personally fulfills the testimony of the Scriptures. After this, Jesus appeared to the eleven [disciples] and said: ''These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day'' (Luke 24:44-46). Thus Jesus once again sets His seal upon the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, the threefold division of the complete Old Testament Scriptures according to the Jews, the very same Scriptures that are in our possession today.

In the Book of Revelation, we again see a glimpse of our glorified Saviour, still ''this same Jesus,'' still quoting from the Scriptures, and still applying them to Himself. He says: ''Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth , and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death'' (Revelation 1:17,18). And again: ''He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth'' (Rev 3:7). Here He quotes from the two parts of the one Book of Isaiah, from chapter 44:6, which says: ''Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and beside Me there is no G-d.... Fear ye not,'' and from chapter 22:22: ''And the key of the house of David will I lay upon His shoulder; so He shall open, and none shall shut; and He shall shut, and none shall open.''

Other Prophesies fullfilled by Jesus in the Scriptures.


Prophecy: Seed of a woman
Old Testament Reference: Genesis 3:14-15
New Testament Fulfillment: Galatians 4:4


Prophecy: From the Tribe of Judah (Juda)
Old Testament Reference: Genesis 49:10
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:33


Prophecy: Descendant of Abraham, Issac and Jacob
Old Testament Reference: Genesis 12:3, 17:17,19; Numbers 24:17
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 1:1-2,16; Luke 3:34, 38


Prophecy: Heir to the Throne of David
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 9:6-7
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 1:32


Prophecy: Anointed and Eternal
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 45:6-7
New Testament Fulfillment: Hebrews 1:8-10


Prophecy: Jesus to be born in Bethlehem
Old Testament Reference: Micah 5:2
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 2:4-7


Prophecy: The time of Jesus' birth
Old Testament Reference: Daniel 9:24-25
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 2:1-5


Prophecy: Christ to be born of a virgin
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 7:13-14
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 1:26-28, 30-31


Prophecy: Lamentation for the killing of infants
Old Testament Reference: Jeremiah 31:15
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:16-18


Prophecy: To be called out of Egypt
Old Testament Reference: Hosea 11:1
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:13-15


Preparation for and Ministry of Jesus

Prophecy: The way of the Lord prepared
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 40:3-4
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:2-5


Prophecy: A messenger to come before the Lord
Old Testament Reference: Malachi 3:1
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 7:24-27


Prophecy: A prophet would be raised up
Old Testament Reference: Deuteronomy 18:15
New Testament Fulfillment: Acts 3:19-20, 22


Prophecy: Declared to be a Son of G-d
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 2:7
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 3:13-17


Prophecy: Ministry centered in Galilee
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 9:1-2
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 4:12-16


Prophecy: Jesus Christ would speak in parables
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 78:1-2
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 13:34-35


Prophecy: Jesus to bind up and heal the brokenhearted
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 61:1-3
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 4:17-21


Prophecy: A Priest after the order of Melchizedek
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 110:1,4
New Testament Fulfillment: Hebrews 5:5-6


Prophecy: Despised, rejected and not believed, especially by the Jews
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:1-4
New Testament Fulfillment: John 1:11, 12:37-40; Luke 23:16-18


Prophecy: Hated without reason
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 35:19
New Testament Fulfillment: John 15:24


Prophecy: Triumphal entry in Jerusalem
Old Testament Reference: Zechariah 9:9
New Testament Fulfillment: Mark 11:7-11


Prophecy: Praised by the mouth of babes
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 8:1-2
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 21:15-16


Prophecy: The Messiah would be cut off, but not for himself
Old Testament Reference: Daniel 9:25-27
New Testament Fulfillment: John 11:49-52


The Last Twenty-Four (24) Hours in Jesus' Life From Betrayal to his Trial

Prophecy: Betrayal of Jesus Christ by a close friend (Judas)
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 41:9
New Testament Fulfillment: Mark 14:10, Luke 22:47-48


Prophecy: Price paid to Judas for betraying Jesus
Old Testament Reference: Zechariah 11:12
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 26:14-15


Prophecy: What would be done with the betrayal money
Old Testament Reference: Zechariah 11:13
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:3, 5-7


Prophecy: Forsaken by His disciples
Old Testament Reference: Zechariah 13:7
New Testament Fulfillment: Mark 14:50; Matthew 26:31


Prophecy: False witnesses against Christ
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 27:12, 35:11
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-57


Prophecy: Jesus would not open his mouth (defend himself) against false accusations
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:7
New Testament Fulfillment: Mark 15:4-5, Matthew 27:13-14


The Last Twenty-Four (24) Hours in Jesus' Life From after his Trial to his Death

Prophecy: Satan shall bruise Jesus' "heel"
Old Testament Reference: Genesis 3:15
New Testament Fulfillment: John 19:18; John 12:31-33


Prophecy: His scourging predicted
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 50:6
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15


Prophecy: His body would be brutalized
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:16-17; Isaiah 52:14
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:26, 29-30; John 19:1-3


Prophecy: Jesus would be bruised and crucified for the sins of the world
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-11
New Testament Fulfillment: Romans 5:6-8


Prophecy: Shame, reproach and dishonor; adversaries before Him.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 69:17-19
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:27-30


Prophecy: Feet and hands would be pierced
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:15-16; Zechariah 12:9-10
New Testament Fulfillment: John 19:33-35, 20:25-27


Prophecy: He was numbered among the transgressors
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:12
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 23:33


Prophecy: Some observers would shake their heads at him
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:7-8, 109:25
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:39-40


Prophecy: Reviled and mocked by the crowd
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:7-8
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:39-43; Luke 23:34-35


Prophecy: Intercession for sinners and those killing him
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:12
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 23:33-34


Prophecy: Parting of His garments and the casting of lots for them
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:18
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:35; John 19:23-24


Prophecy: Stared at Jesus on the cross
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:16-17
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:36, 55


Prophecy: Family and friends would observe
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 38:10-11
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 23:48-49; Matthew 27:55-56


Prophecy: Forsaken by G-d
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:1-2
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:45-46


Prophecy: His side would be pierced
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10
New Testament Fulfillment: John 19:34


Prophecy: Gave Him vinegar to drink
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 69:21
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23; John 19:28-30


Prophecy: Christ would commit His spirit to the Father
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 31:5
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 23:46; John 19:30


Prophecy: Not one of His bones would be broken
Old Testament Reference: Exodus 12:43, 46; Psalm 34:19-20
New Testament Fulfillment: John 19:33-36


Prophecy: Jesus Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us
Old Testament Reference: Exodus 12:3, 5-6; Isaiah 53:7
New Testament Fulfillment: John 1:29; 1Corinthians 5:7; 1Peter 1:18-19


Jesus' Burial, Resurrection and Ascension

Prophecy: Jesus would be buried in the tomb of a rich man
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:8-9
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:57-60


Prophecy: Jesus would be resurrected
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 16:10-11; Psalm 49:15
New Testament Fulfillment: Mark 16:5-6


Prophecy: His ascension to G-d’s right hand
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 68:18
New Testament Fulfillment: 1Corinthians 15:3-6; Mark 16:19-20; Ephesians 4:8-10

There are many more examples of Jesus fulfilling G-d's promise of sending a Saviour dear one! Study to show yourself approved!