What is the Bible and Who is Jesus?

How do you respond to someone's claim that the Bible is not inspired? Is there a way to prove
inspiration or, at least, intelligently present evidence for its inspiration? The answer is, "Yes"
!ne of the best ways to prove inspiration is by e"amining prophecy# There are many religious
boo$s in the world that have many good things to say, but only the Bible has fulfilled
prophecies %% with more fulfillments to come# The Bible has never been wrong in the past, and
it won't be wrong in the future# It claims inspiration from &od '( Tim# )*+,-# .ince &od is the
creator of all things 'Isaiah //*(/-, then He is also the creator of time# It is under His control#
!nly &od, then, would always be right about what is in the future, our future#
0ulfilled prophecy is strong evidence that &od is the author of the Bible, because when you
loo$ at the mathematical odds of prophecy being fulfilled, you 1uic$ly see a design, a purpose,
and a guiding hand behind the Bible# If 2ust one prophecy failed, then we would $now that &od
is not the true &od, because the creator of all things, which includes time, would not be wrong
about predicting the future# 3eut# +4*(( says, "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the
5!63 does not ta$e place or come true, that is a message the 5!63 has not spo$en# That
prophet has spo$en presumptuously" '7I8-# Isaiah /,*9%+: says, "6emember the former
things, those of long ago; I am &od, and there is no other; I am &od, and there is none li$e
me# I ma$e $nown the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come# I say*
<y purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please#"
!ne approach to use with an unbeliever is to turn to =salm (( and read verses +(%+4# This is
a detailed description of the crucifi"ion %% +::: years before >esus was born# ?fter you read
the section as$ him what it was about# He'll say, "The crucifi"ion of >esus#" Then respond with
something li$e, "You're right# This is about the crucifi"ion# But it was written +::: years before
>esus was born# ?nd on top of that, crucifi"ion hadn't even been invented yet# How do you
thin$ something li$e this could happen?" ?fter a brief discussion, you could show him 'or her-
a few other prophecies li$e where >esus' birthplace was prophesied '<icah @*(-, that He would
be born of a virgin 'Isaiah A*+/-, that His side would be pierced 'Bech# +(*+:-, etc#
Born of the Seed of the Woman
&en# )*+@, "?nd I will put enmity between you
and the woman, and between your offspring
and hers; he will crush your head, and you will
stri$e his heel#"
<att# +*(:, "But after he considered this, an
angel of the 5ord appeared to him in a dream
and said, '>oseph, .on of 3avid, do not be
afraid to ta$e <ary home as your wife,
because what is conceived in her is from the
Holy .pirit#'"
Born of a Virgin
Isaiah A*+/, "Therefore the 5ord himself will
give you a sign* The virgin will be with child
and will give birth to a son, and will call him
Immanuel#"
<att# +*+4,(@, "This is how the birth of >esus
Christ came about* His mother <ary###was
found to be with child through the Holy .pirit###
But he had no union with her until she gave
birth to a son# ?nd he gave him the name
>esus#"
Son of God
=salm (*A, "I will proclaim the decree of the
5!63* He said to me, 'You are my .on, today
I have become your 0ather#'"
<att# )*+@, "?nd a voice from heaven said,
'This is my .on, whom I love; with him I am
well pleased#'"
Seed of Abraham
&en# ((*+4, "and through your offspring all
nations on earth will be blessed, because you
have obeyed me#"
<att# +*+, "record of the genealogy of >esus
Christ the son of 3avid, the son of ?braham#"
Son of Isaac
&en# (+*+(, "But &od said to him, '3o not be
so distressed about the boy and your
maidservant# 5isten to whatever .arah tells
you, because it is through Isaac that your
offspring will be rec$oned#'"
5u$e )*()%)/, "7ow >esus himself was about
thirty years old when he began his ministry# He
was the son, so it was thought, of >oseph, the
son of Heli### the son of >acob, the son of
Isaac, the son of ?braham, the son of Terah,
the son of 7ahor#"
House of David
>er# ()*@, "The days are coming, declares the
5!63, 'when I will raise up to 3avid a
righteous Branch, a Ding who will reign wisely
and do what is 2ust and right in the land#'"
5u$e )*()%)+, "7ow >esus himself was about
thirty years old when he began his ministry# He
was the son, so it was thought, of >oseph, the
son of Heli### the son of <attatha, the son of
7athan, the son of 3avid#"
Born at Bethlehem
<icah @*( "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of
>udah, out of you will come for me one who
will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from
of old, from ancient times#"
<att# (*+, "?fter >esus was born in Bethlehem
in >udea, during the time of Ding Herod, <agi
from the east came to >erusalem#"
He shall be a Prohet
3eut# +4*+4, "I will raise up for them a prophet
li$e you from among their brothers; I will put
my words in his mouth, and he will tell them
everything I command him#"
<att# (+*++,"The crowds answered, 'This is
>esus, the prophet from 7aFareth in &alilee#'"
He shall be a Priest
=salm ++:*/, "The 5!63 has sworn and will
not change his mind* 'You are a priest forever,
in the order of <elchiFede$#'"
Heb# )*+, "Therefore, holy brothers, who share
in the heavenly calling, fi" your thoughts on
>esus, the apostle and high priest whom we
confess#"
Heb# @*@%,, ".o Christ also did not ta$e upon
himself the glory of becoming a high priest# But
&od said to him, 'You are my .on; today I
have become your 0ather#' ?nd he says in
another place, 'You are a priest forever, in the
order of <elchiFede$#'"
He shall be a !ing
=salm (*,, "I have installed my Ding on Bion,
my holy hill#"
<att# (A*)A, "?bove his head they placed the
written charge against him* THI. I. >E.G.,
THE DI7& !0 THE >EH.#"
He shall "udge
Isaiah ))*((, "0or the 5!63 is our 2udge, the
5!63 is our lawgiver, the 5!63 is our $ing; it
is he who will save us#"
>ohn @*):, "By myself I can do nothing; I 2udge
only as I hear, and my 2udgment is 2ust, for I
see$ not to please myself but him who sent
me#"
He #ould be receded b$ a %essenger
Isaiah /:*), "? voice of one calling* 'In the
desert prepare the way for the 5!63; ma$e
straight in the wilderness a highway for our
&od#'"
<att# )*+%(, "In those days >ohn the Baptist
came, preaching in the 3esert of >udea and
saying, '6epent, for the $ingdom of heaven is
near#'"
&e"ected b$ His o#n eole
Isaiah @)*), "He was despised and re2ected by
men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with
suffering#
5i$e one from whom men hide their faces he
was despised, and we esteemed him not#"
>ohn A*@, "0or even his own brothers did not
believe in him#"
>ohn A*/4, "Have any of the rulers or the
=harisees believed in Him?"
His side ierced
Bech# +(*+:, "?nd I will pour out on the house
of 3avid and the inhabitants of >erusalem a
spirit of grace and supplication# They will loo$
on me, the one they have pierced, and they
will mourn for him as one mourns for an only
child,and grieve bitterly for him as one mourns
for an only son#"
>ohn +9*)/, "Instead, one of the soldiers
pierced >esus' side with a spear, bringing a
sudden flow of blood and water#"
'rucifi(ion
=salm ((*+, =salm ((*++%+4, "0or the director
of music# To the tune of "The 3oe of the
<orning#" ? psalm of 3avid# <y &od, my &od,
why have you forsa$en me?### 3o not be far
from me, for trouble is near and there is no
one to help# <any bulls surround me; strong
bulls of Bashan# 3ogs have surrounded me; a
band of evil men has encircled me, they have
pierced my hands and my feet# I can count all
my bones; people stare and gloat over me#
They divide my garments among them and
cast lots for my clothing#"
5u$e ()*)), "Hhen they came to the place
called the .$ull, there they crucified him, along
with the criminals %% one on his right, the other
on his left#"
>ohn +9*)), "But when they came to >esus
and saw that He was already dead, they did
not brea$ His legs#"
>ohn +9*()%(/, "Hhen the soldiers crucified
>esus, they too$ his clothes, dividing them into
four shares, one for each of them, with the
undergarment remaining# This garment was
seamless, woven in one piece from top to
bottom# '5et's not tear it,' they said to one
another# '5et's decide by lot who will get it#'
This happened that the scripture might be
fulfilled which said, 'They divided my garments
among them and cast lots for my clothing#' .o
this is what the soldiers did#"
The following probabilities are ta$en from =eter .toner in .cience .pea$s '<oody =ress,
+9,)- to show that coincidence is ruled out by the science of probability# .toner says that by
using the modern science of probability in reference to eight prophecies, "we find that the
chance that any man might have lived down to the present time and fulfilled all eight
prophecies is + in +:
+A
#" That would be + in +::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::# In order to help us
comprehend this staggering probability, .toner illustrates it by supposing that "we ta$e +:
+A

silver dollars and lay them on the face of Te"as# They will cover all of the state two feet deep#
"7ow mar$ one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state#
Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pic$ up one
silver dollar and say that this is the right one# Hhat chance would he have of getting the right
one? >ust the same chance that the prophets would have had of writing these eight
prophecies and having them all come true in any one man#"
.toner considers /4 prophecies and says, "we find the chance that any one man fulfilled all /4
prophecies to be + in +:
+@A
, or + in
+::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:
::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,::
:,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::,:::#
The estimated number of electrons in the universe is around +:
A9
# It should be 1uite evident
that >esus did not fulfill the prophecies by accident#"
What is a prophecy?"
A prophecy is the future told in advance by God through a prophet.
Isaiah 48:2-5 [3] I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I
made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. [4] For I knew how stubborn
you were the sinews of your neck were iron! your forehead was bron"e. [#] $herefore I told you
these things long ago before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not
say, `My idols did them; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.%

"Isn't 'fulfilled prophecy' just a guess or luck or coincidence?"
2 eter !:!"-2! [&'] And we have the word of the prophets (ade (ore certain! and you will
do well to pay attention to it! as to a light shining in a dark place! until the day dawns and the
(orning star rises in your hearts. [)*] Above all! you (ust understand that no prophecy of
+cripture ca(e about by the prophet%s own interpretation. [)&] For prophecy never had its origin
in the will of man! but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy pirit.

"#oes the $ld %esta&ent contain any prophecies a'out the (essiah?"
!es" $he ,ld $esta(ent contains about #$%& H%'(&)( *'( +,)'+!-#I.) prophecies
about the -essiah. .ere is a s(all sa(ple /in roughly chronological order01

)$# W$*+# ,$(- %$ -./%0
1- 1$/2 .3 . 0*(.2 (.+-
Isaiah ":4-5 [2] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given! and the govern(ent will
be on his shoulders. And he will be called 3onderful 4ounselor! Mighty God!
)verlasting #ather! 5rince of 5eace. [6] ,f the increase of his govern(ent and peace
there will be no end. He will reign on (avid/s throne and over his kingdo(! establishing
and upholding it with 7ustice and righteousness fro( that ti(e on and forever. ...
566 17,7
(ark !:! $he beginning of the gospel about 8esus 4hrist! the +on of God.
8ohn !:!-9: !4 [&] In the beginning was the 3ord! and the 3ord was with God! and
the ,ord was God. [)] .e was with God in the beginning. [3] +hrough him all things
were made without hi( nothing was (ade that has been (ade. [&4] +he ,ord became
flesh and made his dwelling among us. 3e have seen his glory! the glory of the ,ne and
,nly! who ca(e fro( the Father! full of grace and truth.
1$/2 $; . <I/)I2
Isaiah 5:!4 $herefore the 9ord hi(self will give you a sign1 $he virgin will be with child
and will give birth to a son! and will call hi( I((anuel. 566 17,7
(attthe= !:26-29 [)*] :ut after he had considered this! an angel of the 9ord appeared
to hi( in a drea( and said! ;8oseph son of <avid! do not be afraid to take -ary ho(e as
your wife! because what is conceived in her is fro( the .oly +pirit. [)&] +he will give
birth to a son! and you are to give hi( the na(e 8esus! because he will save his people
fro( their sins.; [))] *ll this took place to fulfill what the 0ord had said through the
prophet1 [)3] ;$he virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son! and they will call
hi( I((anuel; ==which (eans! ;God with us.;
;/$( %0- 0$*3- $; 8*#.0
Isaiah 95:9! ,nce (ore a re(nant of the house of 8udah will take root below and bear
fruit above. 566 17,7
(atthe= !:!-2: !4 [&] A record of the genealogy of 8esus 4hrist the son [descendant]
of <avid! the son of Abraha(1 [)] Abraha( was the father of Isaac! Isaac the father of
8acob! 8acob the father of 2udah and his brothers! [&2] and [a later] 8acob the father of
8oseph! the husband of -ary! of who( was born 8esus! who is called 4hrist.
;/$( %0- /$$% .2# 3%*( $; 8-33-
Isaiah !!:!6 In that day the >oot of 8esse will stand as a banner for the peoples the
nations will rally to hi(! and his place of rest will be glorious. 566 17,7
Isaiah !!:!-5 [&] A shoot will co(e up fro( the stu(p of 8esse fro( his roots a
:ranch will bear fruit. [)] $he +pirit of the 9,>< will rest on hi(== the +pirit of wisdo(
and of understanding! the +pirit of counsel and of power! the +pirit of knowledge and of
the fear of the 9,><== [3] and he will delight in the fear of the 9,><. .e will not 7udge
by what he sees with his eyes! or decide by what he hears with his ears [4] but with
righteousness he will 7udge the needy! with 7ustice he will give decisions for the poor of
the earth. .e will strike the earth with the rod of his (outh with the breath of his lips he
will slay the wicked. [#] >ighteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his
waist. 566 17,7
/o&ans !5:!2 And again! Isaiah says! ;$he >oot of 8esse will spring up! one who will
arise to rule over the nations the Gentiles will hope in hi(.;
(atthe= !:!-2a: 5-4: !4 [&] A record of the genealogy of 8esus 4hrist the son of
<avid! the son of Abraha(1 [)] Abraha( was the father of Isaac! ... [#] ... ,bed the father
of 2esse! [2] and 2esse the father of ?ing <avid. [&2] and 8acob the father of 8oseph! the
husband of -ary! of who( was born 8esus! who is called 4hrist.
;/$( %0- 0$*3- $; #.<I#
Isaiah !4:5 In love a throne will be established in faithfulness a (an will sit on it==one
fro( the house of <avid==one who in 7udging seeks 7ustice and speeds the cause of
righteousness. 566 17,7
(atthe= !:!-2.: 4: !4 [&] A record of the genealogy of 8esus 4hrist the son of <avid!
the son of Abraha(1 [)] Abraha( was the father of Isaac! ... [2] and 8esse the father of
3ing (avid. [&2] and 8acob the father of 8oseph! the husband of -ary! of who( was born
8esus! who is called 4hrist.
1$/2 I2 1-%0+-0-( -0/.%0.0
(icah 5:2 :ut you! :ethlehe( @phrathah! though you are s(all a(ong the clans of
8udah! out of you will co(e for (e one who will be ruler over Israel! whose origins are
fro( of old! fro( ancient ti(es. 566 17,7
(atthe= 2:! After 8esus was born in :ethlehe( in 8udea! during the ti(e of ?ing
.erod! -agi fro( the east ca(e to 8erusale(
,ver the years there have been a nu(ber of ;:ethlehe(s; in Israel. At the ti(e of 8esus%
birth! :ethlehe( @phrathah! referred to in -atthew as ;:ethlehe( in 8udea;! was a village
about five (iles south of 8erusale(! and there also was a town na(ed :ethlehe( about
seven (iles northwest of Aa"areth. /5er footnote -atthew )1& of the Bondervan AIC
+tudy :ible! &*th Anniversary @dition! /c0 &''#0
1- ;/$( 2.>./-%0 $; ).+I+--
Isaiah ":!-2 [&] Aevertheless! there will be no (ore gloo( for those who were in
distress. In the past he hu(bled the land of Bebulun and the land of Aaphtali! but in the
future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles! by the way of the sea! along the 8ordan ==
[)] $he people walking in darkness have seen a great light on those living in the land of
the shadow of death a light has dawned. 566 17,7
(atthe= 2:22-29 [))] :ut when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in 8udea in place
of his father .erod! he was afraid to go there. .aving been warned in a drea(! he
withdrew to the district of Galilee! [)3] and he went and lived in a town called Aa"areth.
+o was fulfilled what was said through the prophets1 ;.e will be called a Aa"arene.;
(atthe= 4:!9-!4 [&3] 9eaving Aa"areth! he [8esus] went and lived in 4apernau(!
which was by the lake in the area of Bebulun and Aaphtali== [&4] to fulfill what was said
through the prophet Isaiah1 [&#] ;9and of Bebulun and land of Aaphtali! the way to the
sea! along the 8ordan! Galilee of the Gentiles == [&2] the people living in darkness have
seen a great light on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.;
0I3 1I/%0 W$*+# %/I))-/ . (.33.,/- $; I2;.2% 1$?3
8ere&iah 9!:!5 $his is what the 9,>< says1 ;A voice is heard in >a(ah! (ourning
and great weeping! >achel weeping for her children and refusing to be co(forted! because
her children are no (ore.; 425 17,7
(atthe= 2:!4-!8 [&2] 3hen .erod reali"ed that he had been outwitted by the -agi!
he was furious! and he gave orders to kill all the boys in :ethlehe( and its vicinity who
were two years old and under! in accordance with the ti(e he had learned fro( the -agi.
[&6] $hen what was said through the prophet 8ere(iah was fulfilled1 [&D] ;A voice is
heard in >a(ah! weeping and great (ourning! >achel weeping for her children and
refusing to be co(forted! because they are no (ore.;
An interesting side note1 (ost people think that .erod killed thousands of babies.
.owever! :ethlehe( was ;in the boondocks.; $he chances are that less than thirty babies
were killed.
,$(- $*% $; -)?%
0osea !!:! 3hen Israel was a child! I loved hi(! and out of @gypt I called (y son.
525 17,7
(atthe= 2:!4-!5 [&4] +o he got up! took the child and his (other during the night
and left for @gypt! [&#] where he stayed until the death of .erod. *nd so was fulfilled
what the 0ord had said through the prophet1 ;,ut of @gypt I called (y son.;
(I33I$2 W$*+# I2,+*#- %0- )-2%I+-3
Isaiah 4":4 he [the 9ord] says1 ;It is too s(all a thing for you to be (y servant to
restore the tribes of 8acob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also (ake you
a light for the Gentiles! that you (ay bring (y salvation to the ends of the
earth.; 566 17,7
Isaiah 42:!-4: 4 [&] ;.ere is (y servant! who( I uphold! (y chosen one in who( I
delight I will put (y +pirit on hi( and he will bring 7ustice to the nations. [)] .e will not
shout or cry out! or raise his voice in the streets. [3] A bruised reed he will not break! and
a s(oldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth 7ustice [4] he
will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes 7ustice on earth. In his law the islands
will put their hope.; [2] ;I! the 9,><! have called you in righteousness I will take hold of
your hand. I will keep you and will (ake you to be a covenant for the people and a light
for the Gentiles! 566 17,7
(atthe= !2:!4-2! [&4] :ut the 5harisees went out and plotted how they (ight kill
8esus. [&#] Aware of this! 8esus withdrew fro( that place. -any followed hi(! and he
healed all their sick! [&2] warning the( not to tell who he was. [&6] +his was to fulfill
what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah1 [&D] ;.ere is (y servant who( I have
chosen! the one I love! in who( I delight I will put (y +pirit on hi(! and he will proclai(
7ustice to the nations. [&'] .e will not Euarrel or cry out no one will hear his voice in the
streets. [)*] A bruised reed he will not break! and a s(oldering wick he will not snuff out!
till he leads 7ustice to victory. [)&] In his na(e the nations will put their hope.;
Aote that in :iblical usage the Gentiles are often referred to as ;the nations.;
(I2I3%/? W$*+# I2,+*#- (I/.,*+$*3 0-.+I2)3
Isaiah 2":!8 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll! and out of gloo( and
darkness the eyes of the blind will see. 566 17,7
Isaiah 95:5-4a [#] $hen will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf
unstopped. [2a] $hen will the la(e leap like a deer! and the (ute tongue shout for 7oy.
566 17,7
+uke 5:26-22 [)*] 3hen the (en ca(e to 8esus! they said! ;8ohn the :aptist sent us to
you to ask! FAre you the one who was to co(e! or should we eGpect so(eone elseH% ;
[)&] At that very ti(e 8esus cured (any who had diseases! sicknesses and evil spirits! and
gave sight to (any who were blind. [))] +o he replied to the (essengers! ;Go back and
report to 8ohn what you have seen and heard1 $he blind receive sight! the la(e walk!
those who have leprosy are cured! the deaf hear! the dead are raised! and the good news is
preached to the poor.;
(I2I3%/? W$*+# #-+I<-/ 3I/I%*.+ ,.%I<-3
Isaiah 4!:!-2 [&] $he +pirit of the +overeign 9,>< is on (e! because the 9,>< has
anointed (e to preach good news to the poor. .e has sent (e to bind up the
brokenhearted! to proclai( freedo( for the captives and release fro( darkness for the
prisoners! [)] to proclai( the year of the 9,><%s favor and the day of vengeance of our
God! to co(fort all who (ourn! 566 17,7
+uke 4:!4-2! [&2] .e went to Aa"areth! where he had been brought up! and on the
+abbath day he went into the synagogue! as was his custo(. And he stood up to read.
[&6] $he scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to hi(. Inrolling it! he found the place
where it is written1 [&D] ;$he +pirit of the 9ord is on (e! because he has anointed (e to
preach good news to the poor. .e has sent (e to proclai( freedo( for the prisoners and
recovery of sight for the blind! to release the oppressed! [&'] to proclai( the year of the
9ord%s favor.; [)*] $hen he rolled up the scroll! gave it back to the attendant and sat
down. $he eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on hi(! [)&] and he began
by saying to them, 4+oday this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.4
'ot too shabby, considering it was His first sermon"
#-3I3-# .2# /-8-,%-# 1? (-2
Isaiah 59:9 .e was despised and re7ected by (en! a (an of sorrows! and fa(iliar with
suffering. 9ike one fro( who( (en hide their faces he was despised! and we estee(ed
hi( not. 566 17,7
$he 4rucifiGion narratives in all four Gospels show this prophecy fulfilled.
0.%-# WI%0$*% ,.*3-
sal& 4":4 $hose who hate (e without reason outnu(ber the hairs of (y head (any
are (y ene(ies without cause! those who seek to destroy (e. I a( forced to restore what
I did not steal. !666 17,7
Isaiah 4":5 $his is what the 9,>< says== the >edee(er and .oly ,ne of Israel== to hi(
who was despised and abhorred by the nation! to the servant of rulers1 ;?ings will see you
and rise up! princes will see and bow down! because of the 9,><! who is faithful! the
.oly ,ne of Israel! who has chosen you.; 566 17,7
8ohn 5:48-4" ;.as any of the rulers or of the 5harisees believed in hi(H [4'] AoJ :ut
this (ob that knows nothing of the law==there is a curse on the(.;
8ohn !5:24-25 [)4] If I had not done a(ong the( what no one else did! they would not
be guilty of sin. :ut now they have seen these (iracles! and yet they have hated both (e
and (y Father. [)#] 5ut this is to fulfill what is written in their 0aw1 `+hey hated me
without reason./
/-8-,%-# 1? /*+-/3
sal& !!8:22 $he stone the builders re7ected has beco(e the capstone [cornerstone of
a building] [)3] the 9,>< has done this! and it is (arvelous in our eyes. 'efore
466 17,7
(atthe= 2!:42 8esus said to the(! 4Have you never read in the criptures14 F$he
stone the builders re7ected has beco(e the capstone the 9ord has done this! and it is
(arvelous in our eyes% H
8ohn 5:48-4" .as any of the rulers or of the 5harisees believed in hi(H [4'] AoJ :ut
this (ob that knows nothing of the law==there is a curse on the(.
/-8-,%-# 1? 0I3 $W2 1/$%0-/3
sal&s 4":8 I a( a stranger to (y brothers! an alien to (y own (other%s sons
!666 17,7
/+ide note1 this pretty (uch kills the 4atholic 4hurch%s clai( that when the Gospels na(e
8esus% brothers they are talking about .is cousins.0
(ark 9:26-2! [)*] $hen 8esus entered a house! and again a crowd gathered! so that he
and his disciples were not even able to eat. [)&] 3hen his fa(ily heard about this! they
went to take charge of hi(! for they said! ;.e is out of his (ind.;
8ohn 5:!-5 [&] After this! 2esus went around in Galilee! purposely staying away from
2udea because the 2ews there were waiting to take his life. [)] :ut when the 8ewish
Feast of $abernacles was near! [3] 2esus/ brothers said to him, 4!ou ought to leave here
and go to 2udea! so that your disciples (ay see the (iracles you do. [4] Ao one who
wants to beco(e a public figure acts in secret. +ince you are doing these things! show
yourself to the world.; [#] #or even his own brothers did not believe in him.
1-%/.?-# ;$/ 96 I-,-3 $; 3I+<-/
>echariah !!:!2 I told the(! ;If you think it best! give (e (y pay but if not! keep it.;
+o they paid (e thirty pieces of silver. 566 17,7
(atthe= 24:!4-!5 [&4] $hen one of the $welve==the one called 8udas Iscariot==went to
the chief priests [&#] and asked! ;3hat are you willing to give (e if I hand hi( over to
youH; +o they counted out for hi( thirty silver coins.
3I+<-/ /-%*/2-#
3I+<-/ *3-# %$ 1*? $%%-/'3 ;I-+#
>echariah !!:!2-!9 [&)] I told the(! ;If you think it best! give (e (y pay but if not!
keep it.; +o they paid (e thirty pieces of silver. [&3] And the 9,>< said to (e! ;$hrow it
to the potter;==the handso(e price at which they priced (eJ +o I took the thirty pieces of
silver and threw the( into the house of the 9,>< to the potter. 566 17,7
(atthe= 25:9-!6 [3] 3hen 8udas! who had betrayed hi(! saw that 8esus was
conde(ned! he was sei"ed with re(orse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief
priests and the elders. [4] ;I have sinned!; he said! ;for I have betrayed innocent blood.;
;3hat is that to usH; they replied. ;$hat%s your responsibility.; [#] +o 8udas threw the
(oney into the te(ple and left. $hen he went away and hanged hi(self. [2] $he chief
priests picked up the coins and said! ;It is against the law to put this into the treasury!
since it is blood (oney.; [6] +o they decided to use the (oney to buy the potter%s field as
a burial place for foreigners. [D] $hat is why it has been called the Field of :lood to this
day. ['] $hen what was spoken by 8ere(iah the prophet was fulfilled1 ;$hey took the
thirty silver coins! the price set on hi( by the people of Israel! [&*] and they used the( to
buy the potter%s field! as the 9ord co((anded (e.;
#I3,I+-3 W$*+# 3,.%%-/
>echariah !9:5 ;Awake! , sword! against (y shepherd! against the (an who is close
to (eJ; declares the 9,>< Al(ighty. ;+trike the shepherd! and the sheep will be
scattered! and I will turn (y hand against the little ones.; 566 17,7
(atthe= 24:9! $hen 8esus told the(! ;$his very night you will all fall away on account
of (e! for it is written1 ; FI will strike the shepherd! and the sheep of the flock will be
scattered.%;
111*1 11* 1 <1
(icah 5:! -arshal your troops! , city of troops! for a siege is laid against us. $hey will
strike Israel%s ruler on the cheek with a rod. 566 17,7
(ark !5:!" Again and again they struck hi( on the head with a staff and spit on hi(.
Falling on their knees! they paid ho(age to hi(.
)I<-2 <I2-)./ .2# ).++ %$ #/I2@
sal& 4":2! $hey put gall in (y food and gave (e vinegar for (y thirst. !666 17,7
(atthe= 25:94 $here they offered 8esus wine to drink! (iGed with gall but after
tasting it! he refused to drink it.
(atthe= 25:48 I((ediately one of the( ran and got a sponge. .e filled it with wine
vinegar! put it on a stick! and offered it to 8esus to drink.
1 1 1 1 11* 11C1
sal& 22:!4 <ogs have surrounded (e a band of evil (en has encircled (e! they have
pierced (y hands and (y feet. !666 17,7
8ohn 26:25 +o the other disciples told hi(! ;3e have seen the 9ordJ; :ut he said to
the(! ;Inless I see the nail (arks in his hands and put (y finger where the nails were! and
put (y hand into his side! I will not believe it.;
1<1 1 1< 1< 11+1*111
Isaiah 59:5-4 [#] :ut he was pierced for our transgressions! he was crushed for our
iniEuities the punish(ent that brought us peace was upon hi(! and by his wounds we are
healed. [2] 3e all! like sheep! have gone astray! each of us has turned to his own way and
the 9,>< has laid on hi( the iniEuity of us all. 566 17,7
/o&ans 4: 25 .e was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our
7ustification.
! ,orinthians !5:9 A2.1BC I handed on to you first of all what I (yself received! that
4hrist died for our sins in accordance with the +criptures
KAA:LAew A(erican :ible /not AA+:LAew A(erican tandard :ible0
3*;;-/-# ;$/ %0- 3I23 $; $%0-/3
sal& 4":4 $hose who hate (e without reason outnu(ber the hairs of (y head (any
are (y ene(ies without cause! those who seek to destroy (e. I am forced to restore
what I did not steal. !666 17,7
Isaiah 59:5-4 [#] :ut he was pierced for our transgressions! he was crushed for our
iniEuities the punish(ent that brought us peace was upon hi(! and by his wounds we are
healed. [2] 3e all! like sheep! have gone astray! each of us has turned to his own way and
the 9,>< has laid on hi( the iniEuity of us all. 566 17,7
/o&ans 4: 25 .e was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our
7ustification.
! ,orinthians !5:9 A2.1C I handed on to you first of all what I (yself received! that
4hrist died for our sins in accordance with the +criptures
I-/,-# ;$/ $*/ %/.23)/-33I$23
Isaiah 59:5 :ut he was pierced for our transgressions! he was crushed for our iniEuities
the punish(ent that brought us peace was upon hi(! and by his wounds we are healed.
566 17,7
>echariah !2:!6 And I will pour out on the house of <avid and the inhabitants of
8erusale( a spirit of grace and supplication. $hey will look on (e! the one they have
pierced! and they will (ourn for hi( as one (ourns for an only child! and grieve bitterly
for hi( as one grieves for a firstborn son. 566 17,7
8ohn !":99-94D 94-95 [33] :ut when they ca(e to 8esus and found that he was
already dead! they did not break his legs. [34] Instead! one of the soldiers pierced 8esus%
side with a spear! bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. [32] +hese things
happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled1 ;Aot one of his bones will be broken!;
[36] and! as another scripture says! ;$hey will look on the one they have pierced.;
1 1111 1<1C1
sal& 22:!5 I can count all (y bones people stare and gloat over (e. !666 17,7

sal& 94:26 he protects all his bones! not one of the( will be broken. !666 17,7
8ohn !":99D 94a [33] :ut when they ca(e to 8esus and found that he was already dead!
they did not break his legs. [32a] $hese things happened so that the scripture would be
fulfilled1 ;Aot one of his bones will be broken!;
It is i(portant to reali"e that crucifiGion victi(s% legs normally were broken. And yet! a
thousand years before the 4rucifiGion of 8esus! ?ing <avid foretold that the Messiah
would die in an unusual way. +ee Forensic 5athology >eport on 8esus.
3$+#I-/3 ).(1+- ;$/ 0I3 ,+$%0-3
sal& 22:!8 $hey divide (y gar(ents a(ong the( and cast lots for (y clothing.
!666 17,7
(atthe= 25:95 3hen they had crucified hi(! they divided up his clothes by casting
lots.
1<*1CC= C1CC1
Isaiah 59:8 :y oppression and 7udg(ent he was taken away. And who can speak of his
descendantsH For he was cut off from the land of the living for the transgression of (y
people he was stricken. 566 17,7
+ee all four Gospels.
.33I)2-# . )/.<- WI%0 %0- WI,@-#
Isaiah 59:" .e was assigned a grave with the wicked! and with the rich in his death
566 17,7
4rucifiGion was nor(ally reserved for cri(inals and people the >o(ans wanted to ;(ake
an eGa(ple of;. As a crucifiGion victi(! 8esus would have been assigned a grave /if any0
with such people.
1*/I-# I2 . /I,0 (.2'3 %$(1
Isaiah 59:" .e was assigned a grave with the wicked! and with the rich in his death ...
566 17,7
(atthe= 25:55:5"-46 [#6] As evening approached! there came a rich man fro(
Ari(athea! na(ed 8oseph! who had hi(self beco(e a disciple of 8esus. [#'] 8oseph took
the body! wrapped it in a clean linen cloth! [2*] and placed it in his own new tomb that he
had cut out of the rock. .e rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the to(b and
went away.
+H) M)I*H ,$%0( &)+%&' #&$M +H) ()*(
Isaiah 59:8: !! [D] :y oppression and 7udg(ent he was taken away. And who can
speak of his descendantsH For he was cut off from the land of the living for the
transgression of (y people he was stricken. [&&] *fter the suffering of his soul, he will
see the light of life and be satisfied by his knowledge (y righteous servant will 7ustify
(any! and he will bear their iniEuities. 566 17,7
(atthe= 28:2: 5-5: " [)] $here was a violent earthEuake! for an angel of the 9ord
ca(e down fro( heaven and! going to the to(b! rolled back the stone and sat on it.
[#] $he angel said to the wo(en! ;<o not be afraid! for I know that you are looking for
8esus! who was crucified. [2] .e is not here he has risen! 7ust as he said. 4o(e and see
the place where he lay. [6] $hen go Euickly and tell his disciples1 FHe has risen from the
dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. $here you will see hi(.% Aow I have told
you.; ['] +uddenly 8esus (et the(. ;Greetings!; he said. $hey ca(e to hi(! clasped his
feet and worshiped hi(.
;.(I+I./ WI%0 3*;;-/I2)
Isaiah 59:9 .e was despised and re7ected by (en! a (an of sorrows! and fa(iliar with
suffering. 9ike one fro( who( (en hide their faces he was despised! and we estee(ed
hi( not. 566 17,7
%he ,rucifiEion of 8esus =as not an ano&oly in ho= people treated 0i&:
0e =as "run out of to=n" at seFeral places7
(ark 5:!4-!5 [&4] $hose tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town
and countryside! and the people went out to see what had happened. [&#] 3hen
they ca(e to 8esus! they saw the (an who had been possessed by the legion of
de(ons! sitting there! dressed and in his right (ind and they were afraid.
[&2] $hose who had seen it told the people what had happened to the de(on=
possessed (an==and told about the pigs as well. [&6] $hen the people began to
plead with 8esus to leave their region.
eople tried to stone 0i&7
8ohn !6:9!-99 [3&] *gain the 8ews picked up stones to stone hi(! [3)] but
8esus said to the(! ;I have shown you (any great (iracles fro( the Father. For
which of these do you stone (eH; [33] ;3e are not stoning you for any of these!;
replied the 8ews! ;but for blasphe(y! because you! a (ere (an! clai( to be God.;
3o&e 8e=ish leaders conspired to kill 0i&7
8ohn 5:! After this! 8esus went around in Galilee! purposely staying away fro(
8udea because the 8ews there were waiting to take his life.
(atthe= !2:!4 :ut the 5harisees went out and plotted how they (ight kill
8esus.
0is o=n fa&ily thought 0e =as craGy7
(ark 9:26-2! [)*] $hen 8esus entered a house! and again a crowd gathered! so
that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. [)&] 3hen his fa(ily heard
about this! they went to take charge of hi(! for they said! ;.e is out of his (ind.;
0is 'rothers told 0i& to go to a festiFal: eEpecting 0e =ould 'e killed7
8ohn 5:!-9: 5 [&] After this! 2esus went around in Galilee! purposely staying
away from 2udea because the 2ews there were waiting to take his life. [)] :ut
when the 8ewish Feast of $abernacles was near! [3] 2esus/ brothers said to him,
4!ou ought to leave here and go to 2udea! so that your disciples (ay see the
(iracles you do.; [#] For even his own brothers did not believe in hi(.
0is disciples a'andoned 0i&7
0e =as crucified7
"?ou are taking a 'unch of things out of conteEt -- t=o sentences here: half a sentence
there 777"
It is true that taking a few sentences here and part of a sentence there would not prove anything.
:ut there are ,C@> F,I> .IA<>@< AA< $3@A$M=FIC@ references that are considered
-essianic prophesies. +aken as a group it beco(es obvious they aren%t 7ust coincidences.
Also! so(e of the references! particularly Isaiah !! and Isaiah 59 clearly are referring to the
/at that ti(e0 co(ing -essiah.
Further(ore! in a nu(ber of instances! the Aew $esta(ent authors e6pressly state ;$his was to
fulfill the prophecy %NwhateverO%.;

",hristians haFe 'een taught that 8esus is the (essiah7 *fter they 'elieFe that: they just
go through the $ld %esta&ent t=isting things to support their pre-deter&ined Fie=7"
,bviously! so(eti(es this does happen. /$he sa(e thing so(eti(es happens with other types of
authorities such as putting a ;spin; on the writings of 5lato! +ocrates! Aristotle! $ho(as
8efferson! etc.0 For this reason! it is i(portant to know how passages alleged to be -essianic
prophecies were interpreted before the birth of 4hrist. $he $al(ud and the $argu(s greatly
help in doing this.
Also! (any people who were not 4hristians beca(e 4hristians because they saw there were so
(any state(ents that all of the state(ents couldn%t 7ust be coincidences. $his is particularly
co((on with 8ews who converted to -essianic 8udais( /especially after co(paring Isaiah
,hapter 59 with the Gospels.0 +ee 5eople 3ho :eca(e 4hristians

". lot of things ,hristians clai& to 'e $ld %esta&ent prophecies a'out the (essiah or
a'out recent or future eFents actually =ere descri'ing eFents at the ti&e the 'prophet'
spoke7"
$his is true. .owever! prophecy scholars have co(e to reali"e that (any prophetic passages in
the :ible have a dual significance1 /&0 a literal fulfill(ent! usually within a few decades after the
prophecy! and /)0 a spiritual fulfill(ent! often hundreds or even thousands of years later. For
instance! the :ook of >evelation has a dual (essage1 /&0 ;.ang on! &ome will soon be 7udged
and fall!; which it did! and /)0 the final defeat of evil by 8esus.
)** +ruths About Jesus
11 Jesus claimed to be God - John 8:24; 8:56-59 (see Exodus 3:14; John 1!:3!-33
11 Jesus is called God - John 1:1"14; 2!:28; #ol$ 2:9; %itus 2:13; &eb$ 1:8
11 Jesus is the ima'e o( the in)isible God - &eb$ 1:3
11 Jesus abides (o*e)e* - &eb$ +:24
11 Jesus c*eated all thin's - John 1:1-3; #ol$ 1:15-1+
11 Jesus is be(o*e all thin's - John 1:1-3; #ol$ 1:1+;
11 Jesus is ete*nal - John 1:1"14; 8:58; ,icah 5:1-2
11 Jesus is hono*ed the same as the -athe* - John 5:23
11 Jesus is .*a/ed to - 0cts +:55-6!; 1 #o*$ 1:2 1ith 2salm 116:4; (John 14:14
111 Jesus is 1o*shi..ed - ,att$ 2:2"11; 14:33; John 9:35-38; &eb$ 1:6
111 Jesus is omni.*esent - ,att$ 18:2!; 28:2!
111 Jesus is 1ith us al1a/s - ,att$ 28:2!
111 Jesus is ou* onl/ mediato* bet1een God and ou*sel)es - 1 %im$ 2:5
111 Jesus is the 'ua*antee o( a bette* co)enant - &eb$ +:22; 8:6
111 Jesus said" 34 0, the 5*ead o( 6i(e3 - John 6:35"41"48"51
111 Jesus said" 34 0, the 7oo*3 - John 1!:+"9
111 Jesus said" 34 0, the Good 8he.he*d3 - John 1!:11"14
111 Jesus said" 34 0, the 9a/ the %*uth and %he 6i(e3 - John 14:6
111 Jesus said" 34 0, the 6i'ht o( the 1o*ld3 - John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46; 6u:e 2:32
111 Jesus said" 34 0, the %*ue ;ine3 - John 15:1"5
111 Jesus said" 34 0, the <esu**ection and the 6i(e3 - John 11:25
111 Jesus said" 34 0, the -i*st and the 6ast3 - <e)$ 1:1+; 2:8; 22:13
111 Jesus al1a/s li)es to ma:e inte*cession (o* us - &eb$ +:25
111 Jesus cleanses (*om sin - 1 John 1:9
111 Jesus cleanses us (*om ou* sins b/ &is blood - <e)$ 1:5; <om$ 5:9
111 Jesus (o*'i)es sins - ,att$ 9:1-+; 6u:e 5:2!; +:48
111 Jesus sa)es (o*e)e* - ,att$ 18:11; John 1!:28; &eb$ +:25
111 Jesus discloses &imsel( to us - John 14:21
111 Jesus d*a1s all men to &imsel( - John 12:32
111 Jesus 'i)es ete*nal li(e - John 1!:28; 5:4!
111 Jesus *esu**ects - John 5:39; 6:4!"44"54; 11:25-26
111 Jesus 'i)es =o/ - John 15:11
111 Jesus 'i)es .eace - John 14:2+
111 Jesus has all autho*it/ - ,att$ 28:18; John 5:26-2+; 1+:2; 3:35
111 Jesus =ud'es - John 5:22"2+
111 Jesus :no1s all men - John 16:3!; John 21:1+
111 Jesus o.ens the mind to unde*stand sc*i.tu*e - 6u:e 24:45
111 Jesus *ecei)ed hono* and 'lo*/ (*om the -athe* - 2 2et$ 1:1+
111 Jesus *e)eals '*ace and t*uth - John 1:1+ see John 6:45
111 Jesus *e)eals the -athe* - ,att$ 11:2+; 6u:e 1!:22
111 Jesus bea*s 1itness o( &imsel( - John 8:18; 14:6
111 Jesus> 1o*:s bea* 1itness o( &imsel( - John 5:36; 1!:25
111 %he -athe* bea*s 1itness o( Jesus - John 5:3+; 8:18; 1 John 5:9
111 %he &ol/ 8.i*it bea*s 1itness o( Jesus - John 15:26
111 %he multitudes bea* 1itness o( Jesus - John 12:1+
111 %he 2*o.hets bea* 1itness o( Jesus - 0cts 1!:43
111 %he 8c*i.tu*es bea* 1itness o( Jesus - John 5:39
111 %he -athe* 1ill hono* us i( 1e se*)e Jesus - John 12:26 see #ol$ 3:24
111 %he -athe* 1ants us to (ello1shi. 1ith Jesus - 1 #o*$ 1:9
111 %he -athe* tells us to listen to Jesus - 6u:e 9:35; ,att$ 1+:5
111 E)e*/one 1ho>s hea*d ? lea*ned (*om the -athe* comes to Jesus - John 6:45
111 9e come to Jesus - John 5:5!; 6:35"3+"45"65; +:3+;
111 %he -athe* d*a1s us to Jesus - John 6:44
111 %he 6a1 leads us to #h*ist - Gal$ 3:24
111 Jesus is the <oc: - 1 #o*$ 1!:4
111 Jesus is the 8a)io* - John 4:42; 1 John 4:14
111 Jesus is the @in' - ,att$ 2:1-6; 6u:e 23:3
111 4n Jesus a*e the t*easu*es o( 1isdom and :no1led'e - #ol$ 2:2-3
111 4n Jesus 1e ha)e been made com.lete #ol$ 2:1!
111 Jesus ind1ells us - #ol$ 1:2+
111 Jesus sancti(ies - &eb$ 2:11
111 Jesus lo)es - E.h$ 5:25
111 9e sin a'ainst Jesus - 1 #o*$ 8:12
111 9e *ecei)e Jesus - John 1:12; #ol$ 2:6
111 Jesus ma:es man/ *i'hteous - <om$ 5:19
111 Jesus sends the &ol/ 8.i*it - John 15:26
111 Jesus o((e*ed u. &imsel( - &eb$ +:2+; 9:14
111 Jesus o((e*ed one sac*i(ice (o* sins (o* all time - &eb$ 1!:12
111 %he 8on o( God has 'i)en us unde*standin' - 1 John 5:2!
111 Jesus is the autho* and .e*(ecto* o( ou* (aith - &eb$ 12:2
111 Jesus is the 0.ostle and &i'h 2*iest o( ou* con(ession - &eb$ 3:1
111 Jesus is .*e.a*in' a .lace (o* us in hea)en - John 14:1-4
111 Jesus is the 6i'ht o( the 1o*ld - John 8:12
111 Jesus has ex.lained the -athe* - John 1:18
111 Jesus 1as c*uci(ied because o( 1ea:ness - 2 #o*$ 13:4
111 Jesus has o)e*come the 1o*ld - John 16:33
111 %*uth is in Jesus - E.h$ 4:21
111 %he (*uit o( *i'hteousness comes th*ou'h Jesus #h*ist - 2hil$ 1:11
111 Jesus deli)e*s us (*om the 1*ath to come - 1 %hess$ 1:1!
111 7isci.les bea* 1itness o( Jesus #h*ist - John 15:2+
111 Jesus died (o* us - 1 %hess$ 5:1!
111 Jesus died and *ose a'ain - 1 %hess$ 4:14
111 Jesus 1as a *ansom (o* man/ - ,att$ 2!:28
111 %he #h*istian dead ha)e (allen aslee. in Jesus - 1 %hess$ 4:15
111 Jesus *ende*ed the de)il .o1e*less - &eb$ 2:14
111 Jesus is able to sa)e com.letel/ - &eb$ +:25
111 Jesus came to se*)e - ,att$ 2!:28
111 Jesus came to be a hi'h .*iest - &eb$ 2:1+
111 Jesus came to sa)e - John 3:1+; 6u:e 19:1!
111 Jesus came to .*each the :in'dom o( God - 6u:e 4:43
111 Jesus came to b*in' di)ision - 6u:e 12:51
111 Jesus came to do the 1ill o( the -athe* - John 6:38
111 Jesus came to 'i)e the -athe*>s 1o*ds - John 1+:8
111 Jesus came to testi(/ to the t*uth - John 18:3+
111 Jesus came to set us (*ee (*om the 6a1 - <om$ 8:2
111 Jesus came to die and dest*o/ 8atan>s .o1e* - &eb$ 2:14
111 Jesus came to (ul(ill the 6a1 and the 2*o.hets - ,att$ 5:1+
111 Jesus came to 'i)e li(e - John 1!:1!"28
111 Jesus came to taste death (o* e)e*/one - &eb$ 2:9
1!!$ Jesus came to .*oclaim (*eedom (o* belie)e*s - 6u:e 4:18