The Gospel of Isaiah

Did you know that the parallels between the prophecies in Isaiah and the Gospel of Matthew are so integral to the story of Jesus in Matthew that some scholars refer to the parallels as the “Gospel of Isaiah.” Below are some of the major parallels:

 

[Cross References and New Testament Citations from The Comprehensive New Testament]

 

 

The Birth of Jesus

 

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

 

Matthew 1:22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.”

 

 

The Ministry of John the Baptist

 

Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

 

Matthew 3:3 For this is he who was declared through the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

 

 

Jesus Teaches in Galilee

 

Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

 

Matthew 4:14 that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “The land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and on those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”

 

 

Jesus Heals the Sick

 

Isaiah 53:4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 

Matthew 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

 

 

The Ministry of Jesus

 

Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he has set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

 

Matthew 12:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased! I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19He will not quarrel or cry out; nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, till he sends forth justice to victory. 21 And in his name will the Gentiles hope.”

 

 

The Lack of Understanding by the People

 

Isaiah 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, You hear indeed, but understand not; and you see indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

 

Matthew 13:14 With them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall never understand. And seeing you will see and never perceive. 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I heal them.’

 

 

The Hypocrisy of the People

 

Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, “For as much as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.”

 

Matthew 15:7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, when he said: 8 ‘These people honor me with their lips. But their heart is far from me. 9 In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”

 

 

The House of Prayer for all People

 

Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

 

Matthew 21:13 And he said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it a den of robbers.”

 

 

The Apocalypse in the Olivet Discourse

 

Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

 

Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.