Hosea 11:1—An Egypt connection
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” While the nation of Israel’s origin story starts in Egypt, Matthew (2:13-15) also ties Jesus’ Egyptian exile into Hosea’s prophecy.
Psalm 2—Kings will bow to God’s son
The psalmist speaks about kings of the earth banding together against God and “His anointed”. God calls the Anointed One His Son saying, “I will make the nations your inheritance” and warns “therefore you kings, be wise”. We see Herod trying to destroy Jesus, while the “wise kings” of the East choose to bow at the manger.
Isaiah 7:14—A virgin birth?
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Matthew directly links Jesus’ birth to Isaiah’s prophecy (Matthew 1:22,23)—a supernatural event made even more amazing in that it was predicted hundreds of years earlier.
Isaiah 9:6,7—A famous prophecy
“For to us a child is born; to us a son is given. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Echoed in the angel’s promise to Mary and in the message to the shepherds, this good news was heralded by Isaiah, many years before Jesus’ birth. And the son or child of promise, also carried the Divine names of God.
Isaiah 11:1—(Branch from Jesse) bear fruit
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” 2 Samuel 7:12–16 also seems to suggest an everlasting line for David and that the Messiah will establish His kingdom as David’s Heir. Both Matthew and Luke list David in Jesus’ genealogy.
Malachi 3:1—Christ comes to the temple
“Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,’ says the LORD Almighty.” Although Christ came to the temple many times in His life, only two people registered His first arrival there for cleansing rights as a babe—Anna and Simeon. Simeon had been shown that he would see Christ before he died, and he celebrated when he did!
Numbers 24:17—A Christmas star
“A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel.” During this early and formational time in Israel’s history, a star is predicted out of Jacob, pointing to a king. This may have been one of the prophecies that started the magi on their journey.
Micah 5:2—The Messiah will come from Bethlehem
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me One who will be ruler over Israel.” When Herod pointed the magi to Bethlehem, his scholars were probably working from this verse.
Luke 1:67-79—Zechariah’s prophecy
Zechariah’s song proclaims that God has raised up a “horn of Salvation” from the “house of David”. He also proclaims that his own son John will be a voice in the wilderness (see Isaiah 40:3).
Isaiah 53:3—Lowly station
“Like one from whom people hide their faces; he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” Many link Isaiah’s prophecy to Jesus’ life of frugality. The fact He was raised in Nazareth of Galilee and born in a manger meant His beginnings were humble and not at all like the royal successor the Jews were expecting (see Matthew 2:23).
