44 Messianic Prophesies
Old Testament predictions about the coming Messiah fulfilled in Jesus's life, death, and resurrection.
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be born of a woman
Prophet: Moses
Symbolism: Born of a woman – Humanity, the incarnation of God in human form, showing the divine reaching down to become fully human.
Old Testament Reference: Genesis 3:15
New Testament Fulfillment: Galatians 4:4
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be born in Bethlehem
Prophet: Micah
Symbolism: Born in Bethlehem – Fulfillment of God's plan and the smallness of Bethlehem, showing how God works through humble beginnings.
Old Testament Reference: Micah 5:2
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4–7
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be born of a virgin
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: Born of a virgin – Purity and divine intervention, indicating the miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth and His sinlessness.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 7:14
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 1:22–23; Luke 1:26–31
Prophecy Description: Messiah would come from the line of Abraham
Prophet: Moses
Symbolism: From the line of Abraham – God’s covenant promise to bless all nations through Abraham’s descendants, culminating in Jesus.
Old Testament Reference: Genesis 12:3; 22:18
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 1:1; Acts 3:25
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac
Prophet: Moses
Symbolism: Descendant of Isaac – Fulfillment of God’s covenant promises and the continuity of His plan through Isaac’s lineage.
Old Testament Reference: Genesis 17:19; 21:12
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:34; Romans 9:7
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob
Prophet: Moses
Symbolism: Descendant of Jacob – Fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel and the continuation of His work through the nation.
Old Testament Reference: Numbers 24:17
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 1:2
Prophecy Description: Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah
Prophet: Moses
Symbolism: From the tribe of Judah – Royalty and leadership, as the tribe of Judah was associated with kingship, specifically King David.
Old Testament Reference: Genesis 49:10
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:33; Hebrews 7:14
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be heir to King David’s throne
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: Heir to King David’s throne – Fulfillment of God’s promise to David that his throne would be established forever through the Messiah.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 9:7; 2 Samuel 7:12–13
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 1:32–33; Matthew 1:1
Prophecy Description: Messiah’s throne will be anointed and eternal
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Throne will be anointed and eternal – Jesus’ eternal kingship and divine authority, set apart by God for an everlasting reign.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 45:6–7; 102:25–27
New Testament Fulfillment: Hebrews 1:8–12
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be called Immanuel
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: Called Immanuel – God with us, signifying that Jesus is the divine presence among His people.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 7:14
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 1:23
Prophecy Description: Messiah would spend a season in Egypt
Prophet: Hosea
Symbolism: Spend a season in Egypt – God’s protection and fulfillment of prophecy, as Jesus parallels Israel’s exile and return.
Old Testament Reference: Hosea 11:1
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:14–15
Prophecy Description: A massacre of children would happen at Messiah’s birthplace
Prophet: Jeremiah
Symbolism: Massacre of children at Messiah’s birthplace – Spiritual conflict surrounding the birth of Jesus and the rejection of God’s plan by earthly rulers.
Old Testament Reference: Jeremiah 31:15
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:16–18
Prophecy Description: A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: A messenger to prepare the way – The forerunner role of John the Baptist, preparing hearts for the arrival of Jesus.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 40:3–5; Malachi 3:1
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:3–6
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be rejected by his own people
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: Rejected by His own people – The tragedy of Israel’s rejection of their Messiah, reflecting the unwillingness to accept God’s plan.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:3; Psalm 69:8
New Testament Fulfillment: John 1:11; John 7:5
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be a prophet
Prophet: Moses
Symbolism: A prophet – Jesus as the ultimate prophet, the one who brings God’s full revelation to humanity.
Old Testament Reference: Deuteronomy 18:15
New Testament Fulfillment: Acts 3:20–22
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be preceded by Elijah
Prophet: Malachi
Symbolism: Preceded by Elijah – The prophetic fulfillment of Elijah’s return, indicating the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new.
Old Testament Reference: Malachi 4:5–6
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 11:13–14
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be declared the Son of God
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Declared the Son of God – Jesus’ divine nature, affirming His unique relationship with God the Father.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 2:7
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 3:16–17
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be called a Nazarene
Prophet: Unknown
Symbolism: Called a Nazarene – Humility and Jesus’ identification with a simple, humble town, highlighting His accessibility and humanity.
Old Testament Reference: Matthew 2:23 (summary of prophets)
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 2:23
Prophecy Description: Messiah would bring light to Galilee
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: Bring light to Galilee – Illumination of spiritual truth and hope in a region often considered distant and neglected.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 9:1–2
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 4:13–16
Prophecy Description: Messiah would speak in parables
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Speak in parables – Revealing deep truths in accessible yet veiled ways, teaching profound lessons for those who seek understanding.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 78:2–4
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 13:34–35
Prophecy Description: Messiah would heal the brokenhearted
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: Heal the brokenhearted – Jesus’ compassion and His role as the healer of emotional and spiritual wounds.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 61:1–2
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 4:18–19
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek
Prophet: David
Symbolism: A priest after the order of Melchizedek – Jesus’ unique priesthood, not from the Levitical line, but a greater eternal priesthood.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 110:4
New Testament Fulfillment: Hebrews 5:5–6
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be called King
Prophet: Zechariah
Symbolism: Called King – Jesus’ rightful rule as King of both the Kingdom of Heaven and the hearts of believers.
Old Testament Reference: Zechariah 9:9
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 21:5
Prophecy Description: Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a donkey
Prophet: Zechariah
Symbolism: Enter Jerusalem on a donkey – Peace, humility, and the fulfillment of prophecy, indicating His peaceful kingdom.
Old Testament Reference: Zechariah 9:9
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 21:4–5
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be praised by little children
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Praised by little children – The pure and humble acceptance of Jesus’ authority, contrasting with the adult rejection of Him.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 8:2
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 21:16
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be betrayed
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Betrayed – The fulfillment of prophecy, showing the inevitability of Jesus’ suffering and the human capacity for betrayal.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 41:9
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 22:47–48
Prophecy Description: Messiah’s price money would be used to buy a potter’s field
Prophet: Zechariah
Symbolism: Price money used to buy a potter’s field – The tragic irony of the betrayal, where the money was used for a cursed purchase, showing the consequences of rejecting the Messiah.
Old Testament Reference: Zechariah 11:12–13
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:9–10
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be falsely accused
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: Falsely accused – The injustice of Jesus’ trial and the falsehoods used to condemn Him, despite His innocence.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:7
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 26:60–61
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be silent before His accusers
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: Silent before His accusers – Jesus’ submission to God’s will and His rejection of earthly defense in the face of unjust accusations.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:7
New Testament Fulfillment: Mark 15:4–5
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be spat upon and struck
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: Spat upon and struck – The humiliation and physical suffering Jesus endured, reflecting His identification with human suffering.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 50:6
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 26:67
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be hated without cause
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Hated without cause – The rejection and hostility of a fallen world toward the light and truth that Jesus brought.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 35:19; 69:4
New Testament Fulfillment: John 15:24–25
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be crucified with criminals
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: Crucified with criminals – Jesus’ solidarity with sinners, even though He was without sin, showing His identification with the lost.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:12
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:38
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be given vinegar to drink
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Given vinegar to drink – The fulfillment of prophecy and the bitterness of Jesus' suffering, as He experienced the full depth of human pain.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 69:21
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:34
Prophecy Description: Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Hands and feet pierced – The physical reality of Jesus' crucifixion and the fulfillment of prophecy, underscoring the depth of His sacrifice.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10
New Testament Fulfillment: John 20:25–27
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Mocked and ridiculed – The rejection of Jesus by the world, highlighting the contrast between His divine nature and the world's treatment of Him.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:7–8
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 23:35
Prophecy Description: Soldiers would gamble for Messiah’s garments
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Gambled for His garments – The fulfillment of Psalm 22 and the dispassion of those who mocked and took part in His suffering.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:18
New Testament Fulfillment: John 19:23–24
Prophecy Description: Messiah’s bones would not be broken
Prophet: Moses
Symbolism: Bones not broken – Jesus as the unblemished Lamb, fulfilling the Passover Lamb's requirement, showing He is the ultimate sacrifice.
Old Testament Reference: Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:20
New Testament Fulfillment: John 19:33–36
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be forsaken by God
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Forsaken by God – The moment of complete identification with human sin and separation from God, expressing the weight of the world's sin on Jesus.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 22:1
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:46
Prophecy Description: Messiah would pray for His enemies
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Pray for His enemies – Jesus' divine love and forgiveness, showing that He came to offer grace even to those who rejected Him.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 109:4
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 23:34
Prophecy Description: Soldiers would pierce Messiah’s side
Prophet: Zechariah
Symbolism: Pierced side – The fulfillment of prophecy and the outpouring of blood and water, symbolizing cleansing and life through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Old Testament Reference: Zechariah 12:10
New Testament Fulfillment: John 19:34
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be buried with the rich
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: Buried with the rich – The fulfillment of prophecy and the honor given to Jesus’ body, even in His death, showing His royal status.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:9
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 27:57–60
Prophecy Description: Messiah would resurrect from the dead
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Resurrect from the dead – Victory over death, confirming Jesus' divine power and the hope of eternal life for believers.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 16:10; 49:15
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 28:2–7; Acts 2:22–32
Prophecy Description: Messiah would ascend to heaven
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Ascend to heaven – The completion of His earthly mission and His exaltation to the right hand of God, where He intercedes for believers.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 24:7–10
New Testament Fulfillment: Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50–51
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be seated at God's right hand
Prophet: David
Symbolism: Seated at God's right hand – Jesus' authority, honor, and position of power and intercession on behalf of humanity.
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 110:1
New Testament Fulfillment: Mark 16:19; Hebrews 1:3
Prophecy Description: Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin
Prophet: Isaiah
Symbolism: A sacrifice for sin – Jesus’ ultimate role as the Lamb of God, whose death atones for the sins of the world, fulfilling the requirements of the law.
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 53:5–12
New Testament Fulfillment: Romans 5:6–8