Prophecies Fulfilled By Jesus

By Jonathan Bernis (jewishvoice.org)

The Bible is full of Messianic prophecies.

Mathematician Peter Stoner counted the probability of one person fulfilling even a small number of them. He concluded:

the chance of a single man fulfilling “just” 48 of the prophecies found in the Tanakh (Old Testament) would be: One in Ten followed by 157 zeros. In other words... that’s an unimaginable number!

And how many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? Jesus ("Yeshua" in Hebrew) fulfilled not just the 48 specifically Messianic prophecies.

In fact, He fulfilled more than 324 individual prophecies that related to the Messiah!

The first calculation was amazing enough for me. So, the probability of one man fulfilling 324 prophecies must be a number beyond comprehension for anyone! What if He was Messiah prophesied?

To the Jewish People, this is more than a matter of random interest. That is to say, the Messiah has been prophesied in Scripture with great specificity, although sometimes these prophesies are hidden, allegorical or poetic. And it begins with Genesis 3:15: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

15 Messianic Prophecies Jesus Fulfilled

Here is a list of some important Messianic prophecies that Yeshua fulfilled, along with their corresponding New Testament references:

Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem.
See Micah 5:2; fulfilled in Matt. 2:1-7; John 7:42; Luke 2:4-7
Messiah is to be preceded by a Messenger.
See Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; fulfilled in Matthew 3:1-3; 11:10; John 1:23; Luke 1:17
Messiah is to enter Jerusalem on a donkey.
See Zechariah 9:9; fulfilled in Luke 35-37; Matthew 21:6-11
Messiah is to be betrayed by a friend.
See Psalms 41:9; 55:12-14; fulfilled in Matthew 10:4; 26:49-50; John 13:21
Messiah is to be sold for 30 pieces of silver.
See Zechariah 11:12; fulfilled in Matthew 26:15; 27:3
The money for which Messiah is sold is to be thrown “to the potter” in God’s house.
See Zechariah 11:13; fulfilled in Matthew 27:5-7
Messiah is to be born of a virgin.
See Isaiah 7:14; fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-2:1; Luke 1:26-35
Messiah is to be hated without cause.
See Isaiah 49:7; Psalm 69:5; fulfilled in John 15:24-25
Messiah is to be silent before His accusers.
See Isaiah 53:7; fulfilled in Matthew 27:12
Messiah is to be executed by crucifixion, by having His hands and feet pierced.
See Psalm 22:16; fulfilled in John 19:28
Messiah is to be given vinegar to quench His thirst.
See Psalm 69:21; fulfilled in Matthew 27:34
Messiah is to be executed without having a bone broken.
See Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:21; fulfilled in John 19:33-36
Messiah is to be buried with the rich when dead.
See Isaiah 53:9; fulfilled in Matthew 27:57-60
Messiah is to be raised from the dead.
See Isaiah 53:9-10; Psalm 2:7; 16:10; fulfilled in Matthew 28:1-20; Acts 2:23-36;13;33-37; 1 Corinthians 11:4-6
Messiah is to be executed by crucifixion as a thief.
See Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 53:5, 12; fulfilled in Luke 23:33; John 20:25; Matthew 27:38; Mark 5:27, 28

Fulfilled Prophecies and the Jewish Scriptures

Many learned Jewish men and women have come to faith in the last 40 years simply by reading their Tanakh (Old Testament). Initially, they were reading through the prophesies to debate with those that chose to follow Yeshua. As a result, it was very shocking and horrifying to them to find that in studying the Messianic Scriptures, they found the prophesied Messiah!

Yeshua said to them, “This is what I meant when I was still with you and told you that everything written about me in the Torah, the Prophets and the Psalms had to be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds, so that they could understand the Scriptures, telling them, “Here is what it says: the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day; and in His name repentance leading to forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed to people from all nations, starting with Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:44-47)

I encourage you to study the prophecies and ponder the mathematical probability of one person fulfilling them. In addition, be intellectually honest, and open to truth. Pray... and ask the Lord if Jesus is the prophesied Messiah of Israel. He will answer you... and lead you into all truth.

We’ve seen a few important examples of who the Prophets said the Messiah would be. We know who Jesus Himself said He was and is. Nevertheless, does other evidence exist? How can we be sure He is the Messiah and this isn’t a giant hoax?

Let’s Examine a Few Historical Facts

The historian, J osephus, wrote about Jesus and His crucifixion in his work, "Testimonium Flavianum":

“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct to this day.”

A Roman official sealed Yeshua’s grave to prevent anyone from stealing His body and creating a "resurrection hoax".

The world’s best soldiers were guarding the tomb... And their officials would put them to death if they fell asleep on watch.

Yet, the tomb was found empty and His wrappings were stacked neatly inside.

He appeared to many people who saw Him alive after His death.

The Bible records at least eight appearances of the resurrected Jesus to different people at various times and locations over a 40-day period before He ascended into heaven.

Ten Statements Jesus made about Himself

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17)
“The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:8)
“…the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:10, Luke 5:24)
“You are right in saying I am [the Son of God].” (Luke 22:70)
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.” (John 11:25)
“I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my words, he will never see death.” (John 8:51)
“No one takes (my life) from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my father.” (John 10:18)
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28)
“I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
“I am the way the truth and the life. No man comes to the father except through me.” (John 14:6)

The Need for a Savior

In Romans 3:23, we read that "not one person is righteous. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

Which means: everyone is a sinner. In other words, no one can make it into Heaven by their own means.

Romans 6:23 says "the wages of sin is death" -- or separation from God.

Which means: when you sin, you earn death and distance from God.

But a few chapters later, in Romans 10:13 we read, "All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved "

How to Ask Jesus Into Your Life:

To enter into a relationship with Yeshua (Jesus), simply pray this prayer:

“God, I know I am a sinner and I am sorry for the sins I have committed.

I know my sins put distance between us, and I know I cannot save myself."

"Only Your Son, Jesus, can save me and eliminate the distance between us.

I believe He is Your Son, who died for my sins and rose from the dead.

I receive Him as my Savior and accept Your offer of forgiveness and everlasting life."

"Thank you, Father. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.“

We pray you come to trust Him soon!

Please let us know how we can help you in your search for truth.

REFERENCES:

Bernis, Jonathan - Jewishvoice.org

Stoner, Peter W. - Science Speaks. Chicago: Moody Press, 1963, pp 100-107