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Evidence ID: HIS-EV46
Evidence: Fulfilled Prophecies Witnessed by Disciples
Summary: Before his ascension, Jesus "opened his disciples' minds" regarding Old Testament prophecies concerning himself. He clearly demonstrated how the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled by his life, death, and resurrection. The disciples were eyewitnesses to these events.
Description: The eyewitness testimony of the apostles is essential in authenticating Jesus' claims and miracles. The same is true for authenticating the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus.
The evidence presented herein enumerates the prophecies witnessed by the apostles.
The primary purpose of the Gospel of Matthew is to prove the Jesus was the Messiah to the Jewish audience
as prophesied in the Old Testament.
Matthew references nine Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus.
Matthew himself was an eyewitness of their fulfillment.
| Reference | Old Testament Prophecy |
Old Testament Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 1:22-23 | Jesus is the Immanuel or incarnation of God. | Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 8:8 |
| Matthew 2:15 | Jesus will be "called out" of Egypt where he found refuge. | Hosea 11:1 |
| Matthew 2:17-18 | There will be weeping over the death of the male children through age two in Bethlehem. | Jeremiah 31:15 |
| Matthew 2:23 | Jesus will be called a Nazarene which was a term used for someone who is despised. | Isaiah 53:3 |
| Matthew 4:14-16 | Jesus will usher in a "great light" signifying the advent of the Messiah. | Isaiah 9:2 Isaiah 42:7 |
| Matthew 8:17 | Jesus will heal many of their illnesses and diseases. | Isaiah 53:4 |
| Matthew 12:17-21 | God's chosen servant will proclaim justice and victory over sin to the Gentiles. | Isaiah 42:1-4 Isaiah 61:1 |
| Matthew 13:35 | Jesus will speak in parables. | Psalm 78:2 |
| Matthew 27:9-10 | Jesus will be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. | Zechariah 11:12-13 Jeremiah 19:1-9 |
Mark references five Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus.
Peter was the eyewitness source for Mark's gospel.
| Reference | Old Testament Prophecy |
Old Testament Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mark 1:2-3 | John the Baptist was the forerunner to Jesus | Isaiah 40:3 |
| Mark 4:11-12 | Jesus will speak in parables | Isaiah 6:9-10 Psalm 78:2 |
| Mark 12:10-11 | Jesus the cornerstone is rejected | Psalm 118:22-23 |
| Mark 12:36 | Jesus was David's Lord | Psalm 110:1 |
| Mark 14:27 | Jesus denied by Peter | Zechariah 13:7 |
John references seven Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus.
John himself was an eyewitness of their fulfillment.
| Reference | Old Testament Prophecy |
Old Testament Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 1:11 John 7:5 |
Messiah rejected by his own | Psalm 69:8 Isaiah 53:3 |
| John 15:24-25 | Messiah hated without cause | Psalm 35:19 Psalm 69:4 |
| John 3:14-15 | Messiah lifted up | Numbers 21:8-9 |
| John 19:28-30 | Messiah given vinegar to drink | Psalm 69:21 |
| John 20:25-27 | Messiah's hands and feet pierced | Psalm 22:16 Zechariah 12:10 |
| John 19:33-36 | Messiah's bones not broken | Exodus 12:46 Psalm 34:20 |
| John 19:34 | Soldiers pierce Messiah's side | Zechariah 12:10 Psalm 22:14 |
Luke references seven Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus.
He compiled his gospel from many eyewitness sources including the synoptic Gospel of Mark and Jesus' original twelve disciples (Luke 1:1-4 NLT).
| Reference | Old Testament Prophecy |
Old Testament Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Luke 3:34 | Messiah descendant of Isaac | Genesis 17:19 Genesis 21:12 |
| Luke 3:33 | Messiah come from the tribe of Judah | Genesis 49:10 |
| Luke 1:32-33 | Messiah heir to King David's throne | 2 Samuel 7:12-13 Isaiah 9:7 |
| Luke 1:33 | Messiah's throne anointed and eternal | Psalm 45:6-7 Daniel 2:44 |
| Luke 3:3-6 | Messenger prepares the way for Messiah | Isaiah 40:3-5 |
| Luke 4:18-19 | Messiah sent to heal the brokenhearted | Isaiah 61:1-2 |
| Luke 23:34 | Messiah prays for his enemies | Psalm 109:4 |
Just before his ascension, Jesus "opened his disciples' minds" regarding Old Testament prophecies concerning himself.
Jesus said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.' You are witnesses of all these things." (Luke 24:44-48)
In this passage we learn that Jesus interpreted the Old Testament scriptures for the disciples. Jesus' objective was to demonstrate how the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled by his life, death and resurrection. This direct teaching ensured the disciples had a clear understanding of the scriptures as they spoke about the events they witnessed. Therefore, the disciples' understanding of Old Testament prophecy was not subject to their individual interpretations.
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