“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

For the skeptic, the religious Jew, the seeker, or the Christian, very few points serve to clarify who Jesus is to the degree of prophecy. Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies of all kinds in His earthly life. From birth to ascension, His ministry on earth was marked by fulfilled prophecy. He proved that He was the Word made flesh (John 1:1, 14). It was His Word, and He was the fulfillment of it.

The Power of Prophecies

All the prophecies from the Old Testament were recorded 400 or more years before the time of Christ. For example, Psalm 22 was written 1,000 years before the time of Jesus yet provides graphic detail of the suffering He endured. Additionally, Psalm 22 details the process of Roman crucifixion, which was not invented for another 700 years. How is this possible? The inspiration of Scripture and the omniscience of God. The Author knows all. He used men to record future events (1 Peter 1:21) to establish Christ as the Messiah. (Click HERE to download our free book, “10 Reasons Why I Believe the Bible is the Word of God” by R.A. Torrey.)

Mathematically, one man could never fulfill so many unique prophecies, many of which were related to the actions of others toward Christ. How can you orchestrate your death in such a specific manner, i.e., by crucifixion (not invented) between criminals, being given vinegar to drink while dying, being killed at the hands of the Gentiles, after being betrayed by a dear friend for 30 pieces of silver? These are just a few such prophetic details concerning Christ. It is only possible if that Man is the God-man – Jesus Christ.

Our Approach

The prophecies in our list are many of those connected to the circumstances, surroundings, characteristics, events, manners, and traits that the Lord Jesus fulfilled during His earthly ministry. It is not comprehensive but serves as a reference and devotional guide to those seeking the Lord Jesus. Types and figures have been omitted, for they are woven throughout the entirety of Scripture. Truly, every part of the Written Word points to the Word made flesh, Who dwelt among us (John 1:14). We trust this list of 55 prophecies concerning the first coming of Christ will serve to demonstrate the total confidence you can have that Jesus is the Messiah, the Redeemer, The Son of God. 

“And he said unto them, 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” (Luke 24:44-45).

Foretold and Fulfilled: 55 Prophecies About the First Coming of Christ 

*This list has been organized into the three divisions of the Jewish Bible (or the Tanakh). From there, they are organized canonically by Old Testament reference. Hover over each reference to read that passage without leaving our site. 

PROPHECIES FROM THE LAW 

 The Seed of the Woman

• Foretold: Genesis 3:15 | Fulfilled: Galatians 4:4; Matthew 1:18-20

 The Seed of Abraham

• Foretold: Genesis 12:3, 22:18 | Fulfilled: Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16

His Blood Shed for Our Sins

• Foretold: Leviticus 17:11 | Fulfilled: Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22

 A Sacrifice with No Broken Bones

• Foretold: Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20 | Fulfilled: John 1:29, 19:31-33

Escaped to Egypt

• Foretold: Numbers 24:8, Hosea 11:1| Fulfilled: Matthew 2:15

A Prophet Greater Than Moses

• Foretold: Deuteronomy 18:15-18 | Fulfilled: Acts 3:20-22

PROPHECIES FROM THE WRITINGS

 Delivered to the Gentiles

• Foretold: Psalm 2:1-3 | Fulfilled: Matthew 20:19, 27:1-2

 The Son of God

• Foretold: Psalm 2:7 | Fulfilled: Matthew 3:17; John 1:34, 3:16

 Adored by Children

• Foretold: Psalm 8:2 | Fulfilled: Matthew 21:15-16

 The Resurrected King

• Foretold: Psalm 16:8-11 | Fulfilled: Matthew 28:1-6; Acts 2:27-31; 13:34-35

 Mocked and Scorned

• Foretold: Psalm 22:7-8 | Fulfilled: Matthew 27:39-44

Received Vinegar to Drink

• Foretold: Psalm 22:15, 69:21; | Fulfilled: Matthew 27:34; John 19:28-30

 Crucified/Pierced

• Foretold: Psalm 22:16 | Fulfilled: Matthew 27:35-50; Luke 24:39-40

 His Garments Gambled Over

• Foretold: Psalm 22:18 | Fulfilled: John 19:23-24

Committed His Spirit to God 

• Foretold: Psalm 31:5 | Fulfilled: Luke 23:44-47

 Falsely Accused

• Foretold: Psalm 35:11 | Fulfilled: Matthew 26:59-60

 Hated Without Cause

• Foretold: Psalm 35:19, 69:4 | Fulfilled: John 15:25

 Perfectly Obedient to The Father

• Foretold: Psalm 40:6-9 | Fulfilled: John 8:28-29, Hebrews 10:7-10

 Betrayed by A Trusted Friend for 30 Pieces of Silver 

• Foretold: Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12-13 | Fulfilled: Matthew 26:47-50, 27:3-10

 Ascended to Heaven

• Foretold: Psalm 68:18 | Fulfilled: Acts 1:9-11

Will Enter the Temple with Zeal 

• Foretold: Psalm 69:9, Malachi 3:1-3 | Fulfilled: John 2:13-17

Spoke in Parables

• Foretold: Psalm 78:2 | Fulfilled: Matthew 13:34-35

Wise Men Led to Him by a Star 

• Foretold: Psalm 72:10 Isaiah 60:3, 6, 9-11 | Fulfilled: Matthew 2:1-2, 11

 Seated at the Right Hand of God

• Foretold: Psalm 110:1 | Fulfilled: Matthew 22:44; Acts 2:34-36

 A Priest after the Order of Melchizedek

• Foretold: Psalm 110:4 (Genesis 14:18-20) | Fulfilled: Hebrews 5:6-10, 7:1-4

 The Rejected Stone

• Foretold: Psalm 118:22 | Fulfilled: Matthew 21:42-45; Acts 4:11

PROPHECIES FROM THE PROPHETS

 The Seed of David

• Foretold: 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Psalm 132:11 | Fulfilled: Matthew 1:1; Acts 13:23

 Immanuel/Born of A Virgin

• Foretold: Isaiah 7:14 | Fulfilled: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-31

 Called a Stone of Stumbling

• Foretold: Isaiah 8:14 | Fulfilled: 1 Peter 2:7-8

 Teacher of Righteousness

• Foretold: Isaiah 9:1-2 | Fulfilled: Matthew 4:14-17

A Child, a Son, a King

• Foretold: Isaiah 9:6-7 | Fulfilled: Luke 1:26-34

Called a Nazarene

• Foretold: Isaiah 11:1 – “Nazareth” is related to the Hebrew word for “Branch” | Fulfilled: Matthew 2:23

The Branch of Jesse

• Foretold: Isaiah 11:1-2,10 | Fulfilled: Matthew 1:1; Luke 3:23-32

Made the Cornerstone

• Foretold: Isaiah 28:16 | Fulfilled: Matthew 21:42

 Healer of the Sick

• Foretold: Isaiah 35:5-6 | Fulfilled: Matthew 11:4-5; Luke 7:22; John 9:1-12

 The Word Preceded by “the Voice”

• Foretold: Isaiah 40:3 | Fulfilled: Matthew 3:1-3

 A Light to the Gentiles

• Foretold: Isaiah 42:1-6, 49:6 | Fulfilled: Matthew 12:17-21; Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47

Despised and Rejected

• Foretold: Isaiah 53:3 | Fulfilled: Matthew 26:67-68; Luke 9:21; John 1:11

A Man of Sorrows

• Foretold: Isaiah 53:3 | Fulfilled: Hebrews 5:7-9

Smitten, Wounded, Afflicted

• Foretold: Isaiah 53:4-5 | Fulfilled: Mark 15:15-19,  John 19:1-3; 1 Peter 2:24

 Silent Before His Accusers

• Foretold: Isaiah 53:7 | Fulfilled: Matthew 27:12-14

 Died with the Wicked

• Foretold: Isaiah 53:9 | Fulfilled: Luke 23:32-33

 Buried with the Rich

• Foretold: Isaiah 53:9 | Fulfilled: Matthew 27:57-60

 Bore Our Iniquities

• Foretold: Isaiah 53:11 | Fulfilled: Matthew 8:17

 The Anointed One

• Foretold: Isaiah 61:1 | Fulfilled: Luke 4:18-21

 The Righteous King

• Foretold: Jeremiah 23:5 | Fulfilled: John 18:33-36; Revelation 19:11-16

Infants Massacred in Search of Messiah

• Foretold: Jeremiah 31:15 | Fulfilled: Matthew 2:17 

 The Good Shepherd

• Foretold: Ezekiel 34:23-24 | Fulfilled: John 10:11-14

 A Ruler, Born in Bethlehem

• Foretold: Micah 5:2 | Fulfilled: Matthew 2:1-6; Luke 2:4-7

The King, Entering Jerusalem on a Donkey

• Foretold: Zechariah 9:9 | Fulfilled: Matthew 21:1-11; John 12:14-15

 Betrayed for Thirty Pieces of Silver

• Foretold: Zechariah 11:12-13 | Fulfilled: Matthew 26:14-16; Matthew 27:3-10

 Pierced Through His Side

• Foretold: Zechariah 12:10 | Fulfilled: John 19:34-37

 Forsaken by His Disciples

• Foretold: Zechariah 13:7 | Fulfilled: Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:50

 Announced by a Prophet 

• Foretold: Malachi 3:1; 4:5 | Fulfilled: Luke 1:16-17; 7:26-28

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Only Christ could fulfill such prophecies. Only Christ can save us from our sins. If you want to know more about the Risen Savior, the Messiah, Jesus, visit our Gospel Page HERE.

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About Micah Hendry

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