Over 300 Prophecies predicting Jesus Christ

The concept of Old Testament prophecies foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is central to Christian theology. These passages, written centuries before Jesus' birth around 4-6 BC, are interpreted by Christians as predictive of his life, ministry, death, and resurrection. The list below includes some of the most commonly cited examples (drawn from various compilations, focusing on 48 key ones for brevity), with the Old Testament reference, a brief description of the prophecy, and an approximate date when the book was traditionally written (based on conservative biblical scholarship, which attributes authorship to the named prophets or figures during their lifetimes; critical scholarship often dates them later, e.g., post-exilic periods). These dates are approximate and span from around 1400 BC to 400 BC. Note that interpretations vary, and not all scholars agree these directly predict Jesus—some see them as poetic, historical, or dual-fulfillment (applying to both ancient events and the Messiah), but all of them were written previous to Jesus appearing.

Key Prophecies and Approximate Dates Written

1. Seed of a woman who will crush the serpent (Genesis 3:15) – Foretells a descendant of Eve who will defeat evil/Satan. Written ~1400 BC (attributed to Moses).

2. Blessing through Abraham's seed (Genesis 12:3; 22:18) – The Messiah will come from Abraham's lineage and bless all nations. Written ~1400 BC (attributed to Moses).

3. From the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10) – The scepter (rulership) will not depart from Judah until the Messiah comes. Written ~1400 BC (attributed to Moses).

4. Heir to David's throne (2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 9:7) – An eternal king from David's line. 2 Samuel written ~950 BC; Isaiah ~740-680 BC.

5. Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) – The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem, with ancient origins. Written ~750-680 BC (Micah's ministry).

6. Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) – A virgin will conceive and bear a son called Immanuel (God with us). Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry).

7. Time of the Messiah's coming (Daniel 9:25) – From the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, 69 "sevens" (often interpreted as 483 years). Written ~605-536 BC (Daniel's exile period).

8. Massacre of innocents (Jeremiah 31:15) – Weeping in Ramah for children (fulfilled in Herod's slaughter). Written ~626-586 BC (Jeremiah's ministry).

9. Called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1) – God calls His son out of Egypt (fulfilled in Jesus' family's flight). Written ~785-725 BC (Hosea's ministry).

10. Preceded by a forerunner (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1) – A voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way. Isaiah ~740-680 BC; Malachi ~430 BC. - Note: the forerunner was John the Baptist.

11. Ministry in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-2) – Light dawns on Galilee of the nations. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry). Jesus ministry in the Galilee

12. Speaks in parables (Psalm 78:2-4) – Utters hidden things from of old in parables. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic era, though Psalm 78 attributed to Asaph).

13. Entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9) – The king comes righteous and victorious, riding on a donkey. Written ~520-480 BC (post-exilic, Zechariah's ministry).

14. Betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9) – One who shares bread lifts his heel against him. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic psalm). This was Judas betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

15. Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13) – Priced at 30 shekels, thrown to the potter. Written ~520-480 BC (Zechariah's ministry).

16. Falsely accused (Psalm 35:11) – Malicious witnesses rise up. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic psalm). Jesus had many false accusers, but none of them agreed with each other.

17. Silent before accusers (Isaiah 53:7) – Like a lamb to the slaughter, does not open his mouth. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry).

18. Spat upon and struck (Isaiah 50:6) – Offers back to those who beat him, face to those who pull his beard. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry).

19. Crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12) – Numbered with transgressors. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry). Jesus was crucified with 2 criminals, one of which eventually believed and was saved.

20. Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10) – They pierce my hands and feet; look on the one they have pierced. Psalm ~1000 BC (Davidic); Zechariah ~520-480 BC.

21. Lots cast for garments (Psalm 22:18) – Divide clothes by casting lots. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic psalm).

22. Bones not broken (Psalm 34:20) – Protects all his bones, not one broken. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic psalm). The 2 thieves crucified with Jesus had their legs broken by the Romans, this was a common way to cause the victim to die quicker, but Jesus was already dead.

23. Buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9) – Grave with the rich in his death, though he did no violence. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry). Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea in a tomb cut out of rock (Rich man's tomb)

24. Resurrection (Psalm 16:10) – Will not abandon to the realm of the dead or let holy one see decay. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic psalm). Jesus was resurrected, and therefore his body did not decay.

25. Ascension to God's right hand (Psalm 68:18; 110:1) – Ascends on high, leading captives; the Lord says to my Lord, sit at my right hand. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic psalms).

26. A child born as "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6-7) – The Messiah will be divine and bring eternal peace. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry). This has been partly fulfilled, it will be completely fulfilled at his 2nd coming.

27. He will proclaim good news to the poor and liberty to captives (Isaiah 61:1-2) – The anointed one will bring healing and freedom. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry).

28. Despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3) – The servant will be sorrowful and acquainted with grief. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry).

29. Bears our griefs and carries our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4) – He takes on humanity's suffering. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry).

30. Wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5) – Punished for the sins of others, bringing peace and healing. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry).

31. Oppressed and afflicted, yet remains silent (Isaiah 53:7) – Led like a lamb to slaughter without protest. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry).

32. Cut off from the land of the living for others' transgressions (Isaiah 53:8) – Dies on behalf of the people. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry).

33. Prolongs his days after death (Isaiah 53:10) – Sees offspring and lives again after offering himself. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry). Jesus appeared to his disciples, and over 500 other believers after resurrection from death.

34. Bears the sin of many and intercedes (Isaiah 53:12) – Makes intercession for transgressors. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry). Jesus bears all our sins if we will just believe in him.

35. A star shall come out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17) – A scepter/ruler arises from Israel. Written ~1400 BC (attributed to Moses/Balaam).

36. The Lord raises up a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18) – God will raise a prophet from among the people to speak His words. Written ~1400 BC (attributed to Moses).

37. Gall and vinegar offered to drink (Psalm 69:21) – In thirst, given vinegar to drink. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic psalm).

38. Friends and companions stand afar off (Psalm 38:11) – Loved ones abandon him in suffering. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic psalm). Most of his disciples fled when Jesus was taken into custody.

39. Mocked and insulted (Psalm 22:7-8) – People shake heads and taunt him to trust God for deliverance. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic psalm).

40. Prays for his enemies (Psalm 109:4) – Gives himself to prayer despite betrayal. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic psalm). Jesus asks God to forgive the ones crucifying him as they "know not what they do"

41. A priest forever after Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4) – Eternal priesthood not Levitical. Written ~1000 BC (Davidic psalm).

42. Stone rejected becomes cornerstone (Psalm 118:22-23) – Builders reject the key stone. Written ~1000 BC (post-Davidic psalm collection). Jesus was rejected by the Jews in authority at the time.

43. Light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6) – A covenant and light to nations. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry). The apostles ministry was to the Jews first, but then the apostles, especially Paul, preached to the Gentiles.

44. Heals the brokenhearted and blind (Isaiah 61:1; Psalm 146:8) – Proclaims liberty and opens eyes. Written ~740-680 BC / ~1000 BC.

45. No deceit in his mouth (Isaiah 53:9) – Does no violence nor speaks falsehood. Written ~740-680 BC (Isaiah's ministry).

46. Darkness at noon during suffering (Amos 8:9) – Sun goes down at noon, earth darkens. Written ~760-750 BC (Amos's ministry). The sun darkened for 3 hours while Jesus was on the cross.

47. Seed of David on throne forever (Psalm 132:11; Jeremiah 23:5) – Righteous branch from David. Psalm ~1000 BC; Jeremiah ~626-586 BC.

48. Everlasting dominion (Daniel 7:13-14) – Son of Man given eternal kingdom. Written ~605-536 BC (Daniel's exile period). Jesus sits at the right hand of God, and his kingdom will have no end.