The Gospel of Isaiah

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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.

 

Philip the Apostle

 

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The Gospel of John mentions Philip more than any other Gospel. John and Philip evangelized neighboring cities in Asia Minor. Apparently, John wanted to make sure that his friend Philip got the press he deserved.

Text below excerpted from The Comprehensive New Testament

John 1:43 The next day he wanted to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” 46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

1:43 Alx/Major[The next day he], Byz[The next day Jesus (ESV, KJV, MRD, NET, NIV, NJB, NKJ, NLT, NRS, REB, RSV, TEV, TLB)]; Alx/Major[And Jesus said], Byz[And he said (ESV, ~HCS, ~JNT, KJV, MRD, NET, NIV, NJB, NKJ, NLT, NRS, REB, RSV, TEV, TLB)].

1:⁴⁴ Alx/Byz[Peter], Alt/Peshitta[Simon (MRD)], Alt[without textual foundation Cephas (~JNT)].

1:45 Alx[son of Joseph], Byz[the son of Joseph (ASV, DRA, ESV, HCS, KJV, MRD, NAS, NAU, NET, NIV, NKJ, NLT, RSV, TLB)].

1:46 Alx/Byz[And Nathanael], Minor[omits And (ESV, HCS, JNT, MRD, ~NAB, NAU, NET, NIV, NJB, NLT, NRS, REB, RSV, TEV, TLB)].

1:49 Alx[Nathanael answered him], Byz[adds and said (KJV, MRD, NKJ, ~REB)]; Alx[King of Israel], Byz[the King of Israel (DRA, ESV, HCS, JNT, KJV, MRD, NAB, NAS, NAU, NET, NIV, NKJ, NLT, NRS, RSV, TEV, TLB)].

1:50 Alx[Because I said to you that], Byz[omits that (ASV, DRA, ESV, HCS, JNT, KJV, NIV, NJB, NKJ, NLT, REB, RSV, TEV, TLB)].

1:51 Alx[you shall see heaven], Byz[hereafter you shall see heaven (KJV, MRD, NKJ)]; you, you both are plural; Genesis 28:10-17.

 

John 6:1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Galilee-Tiberias Sea. 2 But a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs which he performed on those who were diseased. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. 5 Then Jesus lifted up his eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread, that these people may eat?” 6 But this he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for everyone to have a little [something].” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”

6:1 Alx/Byz[Galilee-Tiberias Sea Greek Sea of Galilee of Tiberias], Minor[Sea of Galilee and of Tiberias others Sea of Galilee, in the regions of Tiberias].

6:2 Alx[But a great multitude], Byz[And a great multitude (ASV, DRA, ESV, HCS, JNT, KJV, MRD, NAS, NIV, NJB, ~NKJ, REB, RSV, TLB)]; Alx[they beheld the signs], Byz[they saw his signs (KJV, NKJ, NLT, TEV, ~TLB)].

6:5 Alx/Byz[Where can we buy bread], Major[Where shall we buy bread (DRA, HCS, KJV, MRD, NIV, NKJ)].

6:7 Alx/Byz[Philip answered him], Minor[Philip answers him]; Alx[everyone], Byz[everyone of them (ESV, HCS, KJV, NAB, NJB, NKJ, ~NLT, NRS, REB, RSV, ~TLB)]; Alx/Byz[something], Minor[omits (ASV, ~JNT, HCS, DRA, ESV, KJV, MRD, NAS, NAU, NET, NKJ, ~NLT, NRS, REB, RSV, TEV, TLB)]; denarii a denarius was a day’s wage for a laborer.

6:8 Alx/Byz[Peter], Alt/Peshitta[Cephas (JNT, MRD)].

6:9 Alx[There is a boy], Byz[There is one boy].

 

John 12:20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

12:20 Alx/Byz[Greeks], Alt/Vulgate[Gentiles (DRA, REB)], Alt/Peshitta[people (MRD)].

12:22 Alx[Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus], Byz[and again Andrew and Philip told Jesus (DRA, KJV, ~MRD, NIV, NKJ)].

 

John 14:8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?

14:8 Alx/Byz[that is enough for us], Alt[that will be enough for us (JNT, MRD, NAB, ~NET, NIV, ~NJB, ~NLT, ~NRS, ~RSV, ~TLB)].

14:9 Alx[how can you say Greek how say you], Byz[and how can you say (~JNT, KJV, MRD, ~NJB, ~NKJ, ~NLT, ~REB, ~TEV, ~TLB)].

14:10 Alx[say…speak], Byz[speak…speak (DRA, HCS, ~JNT, KJV, MRD, NAB, ~NIV, NKJ, ~NLT, ~REB, ~TEV, ~TLB)]; Alx[the Father…does his works], Byz[the Father…he does the works (DRA, KJV, MRD, ~NKJ)], Minor[the Father…he does his works (TLB)].

 

The Temple as a Type for Jesus

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In John 2:19-21, Jesus indicates that the temple is symbolic of his body encompassing all in the body of Christ. The building of the temple prophetically foreshadows the building of Jesus’ ministry.

 

Wise men would bring valuables including gold to Jesus after He became incarnate - Matthew 2:11. After receiving the gold, provision would be made for dwelling with Egyptians - Matthew 2:12-15.

 

Wise men would bring valuables including gold to the temple while it was being built - 1Kings 6:21. After receiving the gold, provision was made for dwelling with Egyptians - 1Kings 7:8.

 

 

All of those who would be vessels of the ministry would be cast in the Jordan - John 3:22-30.

 

All the vessels in the temple were cast in the Jordan - 1Kings 7:46.  

 

 

Men would be called from the Naphtali region of northern Israel to be involved with Jesus and word would travel as far Tyre - Matthew 4:12-8:1, 15:21. The men who were called would work with nets - Matthew 4:18-21. The twelve would be gathered at the sea - Matthew 4:12-23.

 

Men would be called from the Naphtali region of northern Israel to be involved with building the temple and word would travel as far Tyre - 1Kings 7:13-14. The men who were called would work with nets - 1Kings 7:17. The twelve would be gathered at the sea - 1Kings 7:23-25.

 

Based on the book “Typology – The New Testament According to the Old Testament Prophets”

Have you ever given a lot of thought to something you were going to do that would have a serious effect on someone else?

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When Jesus selected the twelve apostles he changed their lives forever. Jesus spent all night praying to God before he made the fateful selection. The new apostles were possibly thrilled, ecstatic, and overjoyed. It must’ve been extremely difficult to announce the decision knowing what was going to happen to his closest friends. According to tradition, ten of the apostles were executed. John was exiled to an island for a portion of his life. Judas committed suicide.

The next time you’re facing a fateful decision remember it helps to pray – Jesus did!

Luke 6:12 In those days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called his disciples to himself; and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles. [The Comprehensive New Testament]

Will you stand or fall?

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Everyone knows that it’s a good idea to build a house on rock and a bad idea to build a house on sand. Wouldn’t it be an excellent idea to build your house on an indestructible rock? Jesus has the power of an indestructible life. If you want to be indestructible build your life on the words of Jesus.

Hope to see you still standing on the Rock after the turmoil of this world has ceased!

Text citations below from The Comprehensive New Testament

Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. 27 And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Hebrews 7:16 who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of carnal requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.

God has a plan for you!

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Peter proved in the garden of Gethsemane that he was courageous against an armed group when he had a sword in his hand. But that wasn’t the type of courage that God planned for Peter. God’s plan was for one of the most courageous men who ever lived to conquer the greatest empire the world has ever known – completely unarmed. According to traditional sources, Peter went to Rome and started the Christian church in that city. Peter had been charged by Jesus to feed the flock of the church and Jesus had indicated to Peter that he would be executed in the future. Peter was known for healing the sick and the church that Peter founded fed the poor in the city of Rome. Peter was eventually executed as Jesus had prophesied by the pagan Roman authorities who thought they could defeat Peter’s efforts by killing him. Eventually, through the popularity of the church’s hospitals and charitable activities including feeding the poor - Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

One unarmed man who followed the plan of God was able to peacefully conquer the Roman Empire. Imagine what God may have planned for you!

Text citations below from The Comprehensive New Testament

John 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?”

John 21:17 ...Peter was grieved because the third time he said to him, “Do you like me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I like you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” 19 This he said to show by what death he would glorify God. And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”

 

The Rapture

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Many people are familiar with Jesus' reference to the rapture in the gospels. Did you know that Moses also made a statement about the rapture in the Old Testament?