Fulfilled Prophesies Witnessed by Disciples(Mainstream Apologetics)

Fulfilled Prophesies Witnessed by Disciples

Evidence ID: HIS-EV46

Evidence: Fulfilled Prophesies 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 disciple were eyewitnesses of 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 enumerate the prophecies witnessed by the apostles.

Eyewitness Testimony of Matthew (Gospel of Matthew)

The primary purpose of the Gospel of Matthew 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 a witness 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

Eyewitness Testimony of Peter (Gospel of Mark)

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

Eyewitness Testimony of John (Gospel of John)

John references seven Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus. John himself was a witness 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 Zechariah 13:6
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

Eyewitness Testimony of Others Eyewitness (Gospel of Luke)

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

Interpretation of Old Testament Prophecies

Just before his ascension, Jesus "opened his disciples minds" regarding Old Testament prophecies concerning himself.

⁴⁴Jesus 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." ⁴⁵Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. ⁴⁷It 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.' ⁴⁸You 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 understand of the scriptures as they spoke and wrote about the events they witnessed. Therefore, the disciples' understanding of Old Testament prophecy was not subject to their individual interpretations.

Resources:

Science Speaks (REF-STO01)