Today we will talk about what did Jesus say about the Old Testament. Many Christians do not know what this means. Be on the mode of meditation as we read through God’s Word. The Old Testament forms a foundational part of the Bible, containing the sacred texts and stories that God shared with His people long before Jesus walked the earth. For followers of Christ, understanding what Jesus said about the Old Testament can illuminate our faith. As we go through Jesus’ teachings, we will see how He interacted with these ancient scriptures, interpreting them in ways that resonate with love, grace, and truth. Join us on this journey through the scriptures that will shed light on Jesus’ profound relationship with the Old Testament.
What did Jesus say about the Old Testament?
The Authority of the Scriptures
In the Gospels, we see Jesus affirming the authority of the Old Testament in many ways. He quoted Scripture as a means of teaching, explaining, and correcting misunderstandings. Jesus did not shy away from the Old Testament; instead, He used it to establish His divinity and mission. One of the famous instances occurs in Matthew 5:17-18, where Jesus proclaims, “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. For truly, I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Here, the phrase “Law or the Prophets” refers to the entire Old Testament collection, indicating its ongoing significance.
The Greek word for “fulfill” here is “plēroō,” which signifies to complete or bring to its desired end. Jesus emphasized that the Old Testament was not obsolete but that He came to fulfill its purposes and prophecies. This Greek understanding highlights that the law isn’t merely a rigid set of rules but instead a pathway leading to the Messiah, who embodies its essence.
Furthermore, in John 10:35, Jesus states, “If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside.” This underscores the intrinsic authority and permanence of God’s Word. By invoking the Old Testament with such reverence, He underscores that it holds immense weight and relevance, even as He explains it anew. His validation of the Old Testament urges us to consider it as an essential pillar of our faith.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus used the Scriptures to confront temptation (Matthew 4:1-11) and guide His disciples (Luke 24:27). Each reference serves to remind us of the power and necessity of the Old Testament in understanding God’s character and His redemptive plan for humanity. Scripture then becomes a tool for guidance, morality, and spiritual health, urging us to delve into its teachings with eagerness and openness.
Fulfillment of Prophecies
Another vital element of Jesus’ statements regarding the Old Testament is how He is seen as the fulfillment of its prophecies. From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus pointed to various prophecies that testified about Him. In Luke 4:17-21, He reads from the scroll of Isaiah and makes a profound declaration that He has come to fulfill that scripture. Isaiah 61 predicts the coming of the Messiah, illustrating the good news being preached to the poor, the blind receiving sight, and the oppressed being freed.
This fulfillment reveals that Jesus didn’t just come to fulfill isolated prophecies but rather to embody the comprehensive message of hope and redemption. The Hebrew term for Messiah, “Mashiach,” signifies the anointed one, a deliverer to restore Israel. Jesus’ public affirmation of this role illustrates His commitment to fulfilling God’s plans as foretold in the ancient texts.
The New Testament frequently draws connections to Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Matthew, for instance, repeatedly highlights how Jesus’ actions align with prophetic declarations, citing passages like Micah 5:2 to show that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:5-6). Such references affirm that although the Old Testament narratives occurred thousands of years before Jesus, they are intricately connected, pointing toward the greater reality of Jesus’ identity and mission.
Moreover, Jesus’ death and resurrection correlate with multiple prophecies found in the Old Testament (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53). This prophetic literature serves as a robust foundation for our understanding of salvation history. Witnessing Jesus illuminate these prophecies strengthens our faith, affirming that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament are indeed one and the same.
Jesus’ Teachings on the Law
When Jesus spoke about the Law, He offered a fresh perspective that deeply honored its original intentions. In Matthew 22:37-40, He cites the greatest commandments: to love God and love our neighbors. This summary helps to distill the essence of the Law into a principle of love rather than mere following of rules. In essence, when Jesus discussed the law, He encouraged us to understand it in light of love and relationship rather than rigid obligation.
The Greek word used for “love,” “agapao,” signifies a selfless, unconditional love, suggesting that adherence to the Law must spring from a heart inclined toward genuine love rather than mere legalism. Jesus’ interpretation reveals that the Law is beneficial if it leads us toward loving others and prioritizing our relationship with God, echoing the core messages throughout the Old Testament books such as Deuteronomy (6:5) and Leviticus (19:18).
By presenting these commandments, Jesus invites us back to the heart of Old Testament teachings, where God repeatedly emphasizes the importance of love and justice (Micah 6:8). His teachings on the Law remind us that following God’s commandments is not solely about outward adherence but also about cultivating inward transformation.
In Matthew 5:20, Jesus states, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” This challenges His followers to look beyond legalistic practices and striving for righteousness characterized by heartfelt love and compassion. His calls for genuine behavior resonate with the prophetic writings that implore God’s people to act justly and mercifully.
Jesus and the Themes of the Old Testament
The Old Testament is rich in themes—creation, covenant, sin, redemption, and restoration—all of which find their ultimate expression in Christ. Throughout His teachings, Jesus emphasized these themes, weaving them into His parables and messages. In the creation narrative, for example, we see the hand of God speaking forth life, and in John 1:1-3, Jesus is described as the Word through whom all things were made, encapsulating the very essence of God’s creative power.
In terms of covenant, the Old Testament chronicles God’s promises to humanity. Whether through Noah, Abraham, or Moses, these covenants reveal God’s desire to have a relationship with His people. Jesus reaffirmed this in Luke 22:20 when He instituted the New Covenant during the Last Supper, referencing His blood that was shed for many (similar to the sacrificial system outlined in the Old Testament). Through this, we understand that the Old Testament sacrificial system wasn’t just about laws but was pointing toward a future fulfillment in Christ.
Additionally, Jesus frequently referenced the plight of sinners in His teachings, alluding to the themes of sin and redemption painstakingly portrayed in the Old Testament. In Luke 15, the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son reflect the heart of God who seeks out those who have strayed (echoing themes from books like Ezekiel 34). These stories serve as reminders that the Old Testament narratives have profound applications to our lives today, urging us to return to God.
Finally, the theme of restoration runs throughout the Old Testament, culminating in Jesus’ mission. His healings, miracles, and teachings illustrate a restoration process (Matthew 11:28). His proclamations of the Kingdom of God reflect the ultimate restoration that the Old Testament speaks of, which will be fully realized at His second coming. Each theme highlighted in the Old Testament interacts with the overarching message of the New Testament, urging us to embrace the hope and promise found therein.
Final Thoughts
As we conclude this exploration of what Jesus said about the Old Testament, we find both an invitation and a challenge. Jesus cherished the Old Testament, affirming its authority while providing fresh insights into its teachings. He described Himself as the fulfillment of the prophecies within its pages, showing us that it is essential reading for grasping our Christian faith.
The Law offered by God isn’t just a burdensome set of rules; instead, it reveals the heart of God toward love and compassion. Ultimately, the themes presented throughout the Old Testament culminate in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who invites us into a relationship characterized by grace and mercy. As we engage with the Scriptures, let us remember that they are not just texts of the past but living words that speak into our lives today. Through Jesus, we see that the Old Testament continues to resonate, guiding our faith and understanding of God.
Let us cherish these scriptures and abide in their teachings, knowing that they illuminate the path of righteousness and give us the tools to navigate our lives with hope and purpose.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4