Top 40 Most Helpful Messianic Prophecies

Jews for Jesus has curated 40 of the most helpful messianic prophecies along with their New Testament fulfillments.

Curated by Rich Robinson, Senior Researcher
After Yeshua (Jesus) was crucified, some of his followers were crushed. They had hoped that he would be the Messiah who would destroy the tyranny of Rome and restore the kingdom of Israel. But their idea of the Messiah was not God’s idea. Yeshua died, but he also rose from the dead, and to his disappointed followers he said:

“How foolish you are, how slow you are to believe everything the prophets said! Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and then to enter his glory?” And Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets…. They said to each other, “Wasn’t it like a fire burning in us when he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:25–27 NIV, Luke 24:32 NIV)

“To suffer these things and then to enter his glory.” He had to first die as an atonement for our sins, and then rise from the dead – as the prophets of the Hebrew Bible had said.

We invite you to explore these passages from the Jewish Scriptures and their fulfillments in the life of Yeshua.

Top Ranked Messianic Prophecies:

MESSIANIC PROPHECY	TANACH REFERENCE	FULLFILLMENT
1) The Messiah would be resurrected Read Commentary What proof do you have that Jesus is the Messiah? The Returning King: The "Two Messiahs" in Zechariah	Psalm 16:8–11	Acts 2:22–32 Acts 13:35–37
2) The Messiah would bring in a new covenant Read Commentary Overview of the Major Prophets	Jeremiah 31:31	Matthew 26:28 Mark 14:24 Luke 22:20 1 Corinthians 11:25 2 Corinthians 3:6 Hebrews 8:6–13 Hebrews 9:15 Hebrews 12:24
3) The Messiah would be forsaken and pierced, but vindicated Read Commentary Jesus’ References to Old Testament Scriptures	Psalm 22:1–31	Matthew 21:42 Mark 12:10–11 Luke 20:17–18 Acts 4:9–12 Ephesians 2:20 1 Peter 2:6-8
4) The Messiah would be the rejected cornerstone Read Commentary Jesus’ References to Old Testament Scriptures	Psalm 118:22–24	Matthew 21:42 Mark 12:10–11 Luke 20:17–18 Acts 4:9–12 Ephesians 2:20 1 Peter 2:6-8
5) The Messiah would do life-affirming redemptive deeds Read Commentary Overview of the Major Prophets	Isaiah 61:1–2	Luke 4:17–21
6) The Messiah would be born of a virgin Read Commentary The Genealogy of the Messiah	Isaiah 7:14	Matthew 1:22–23 Luke 1:31–35
7) The Messiah would come according to a timetable Read Commentary The Messianic Time Table According to Daniel the Prophet	Daniel 9:24–27	Matthew 24:15–16 Mark 13:14–15 Galatians 4:4
8) The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53:4-6,11) 9) The Messiah would bear our sins and suffer in our place (Isaiah 53:4-6,11) 10) The Messiah would not remain dead, but see his seed, prolong his days and be exalted (Isaiah 53:10-11) Read Extensive Commentary The Rabbis' Dilemma: A Look at Isaiah 53 Who's the Subject of Isaiah 53? You Decide!	Isaiah 52:13–53:12	Matthew 8:16–17 Matthew 20:28 Matthew 26:28 Matthew 27:59–60 Mark 10:45 Mark 14:24 Luke 22:20 John 12:37–38 Acts 8:32–35 Romans 10:16 Hebrews 9:28 1 Peter 2:21–25
11) The Messiah would be a prophet like Moses Read Commentary A Prophet Like Unto Moses A Prophet Like Moses	Deuteronomy 18:15–19	Matthew 13:57 Matthew 21:46 Luke 24:19 John 1:21 John 1:25 John 6:14 John 7:40 Acts 3:22 Acts 7:37
12) The Messiah would be pierced Read Commentary Jewish Messianic Interpretations of Zechariah 12:10 The Returning King: The "Two Messiahs" in Zechariah	Zechariah 12:10	Matthew 24:30 John 19:31–37 Revelation 1:7
13) The Messiah would be preceded by Elijah the prophet Read Commentary Jesus and Elijah: Comparisons and Contrasts Guess Who’s Coming to the Seder?	Malachi 4:5–6 [Hebrew Bible, verses 3:23–24]	Matthew 11:14–15 Matthew 16:14 Matthew 17:9–13 Mark 6:14–16 Mark 9:11–13 Luke 1:16–17 John 1:21
14) The Messiah would come riding on a donkey Read Commentary The Returning King: The "Two Messiahs" in Zechariah Jesus as Messiah in the Gospels	Zechariah 9:9	Matthew 21:1–7
15) The Messiah would be called out of Egypt Read Commentary The Son of God	Hosea 11:1	Matthew 2:13–15
16) The Messiah would be called God’s Son Read Commentary The Son of God	Psalm 2:1–12	Mark 1:11 Luke 3:22 Acts 4:25–28 Acts 13:33 Hebrews 1:5 Hebrews 5:5
17) The Messiah would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver Read Commentary The Returning King: The "Two Messiahs" in Zechariah	Zechariah 11:12–13	Matthew 26:14–15 Matthew 27:3 Matthew 27:9–10
18) The Messiah would be the Son of Man Read Commentary Is the Messiah Divine? Prominent Titles of Jesus	Daniel 7:13–14	Matthew 9:6 Matthew 12:8 Matthew 13:41 Matthew 16:13 Matthew 16:27 Mark 8:31 Luke 6:22 Luke 9:22 John 1:51 John 3:13–14 Acts 7:56 and many others
19) The Messiah would be a willing sacrifice Read Commentary Ram or Lamb?	Genesis 22:1–18	John 3:16 Hebrews 11:17-19
20) The Messiah would be the Passover lamb Read Commentary John’s Gospel in Jewish Evangelism	Exodus 12:1–51	John 1:29 John 1:36 John 19:33 John 19:36 1 Corinthians 5:7–8 1 Peter 1:19
21) The Messiah would be the star coming out of Jacob Read Commentary John’s Gospel in Jewish Evangelism	Numbers 24:17	Matthew 2:2 Revelation 22:16
22) The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Read Commentary A look at one of the predictions of the Messiah’s coming in the Hebrew Scriptures. O Little Town of Controversy Biblical Locales, Then and Now	Micah 5:2 [Hebrew Bible verse 1]	Matthew 2:1–6 John 7:40–43
23) The Messiah would be greater than David Read Commentary	Psalm 110:1–4	Matthew 22:4–45 Mark 12:35–37 Luke 20:41–44 Acts 2:34–36 1 Corinthians 15:25–28 Hebrews 1:3 Hebrews 1:13 Hebrews 4:14–5:10
24) The Messiah would be a descendant of David Read Commentary A look at one of the predictions of the Messiah’s coming in the Hebrew Scriptures	2 Samuel 7:12–16	Matthew 1:1 Luke 1:32–33 Acts 15:15–16 Hebrews 1:5
25) The Messiah is spoken of throughout the Hebrew Bible Read Commentary	Hebrew Bible	Luke 24:25–27 Luke 24:32
26) The Messiah would be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace Read Commentary If Jesus is the Messiah	Isaiah 9:6–7 [Hebrew Bible 9:5-6]	Luke 1:32–33 Luke 1:79 John 6:51 John 14:27 Acts 10:36 Romans 9:5
27) The Messiah would be preceded by a messenger Read Commentary Overview of the Major Prophets	Malachi 3:1	Matthew 11:10 Mark 1:2 Luke 1:76
28) The Messiah would be the coming one to whom the scepter belongs Read Commentary Jacob’s Prophecies	Genesis 49:10	Matthew 2:6 Matthew 2:11 Romans 1:5 Romans 15:18 Romans 16:26 Hebrews 7:14 Revelation 5:5
29) The Messiah would be acclaimed Read Commentary	Psalm 118:25–29	Matthew 21:9 Mark 11:9–10 Luke 13:35 Luke 19:38 John 12:13
30) The Messiah would be the seed of the woman Read Commentary	Genesis 3:15	Romans 16:20 Hebrews 2:14 Galatians 4:4 Revelation 12:9 Revelation 12:17
31) The Messiah would be the descendant of Abraham through whom all nations would be blessed Read Commentary	Genesis 12:3	Acts 3:24-26
32) The Messiah would be lifted up Read Commentary	Numbers 21:6–9	John 3:14–18
33) The Messiah would be our Kinsman-Redeemer Read Commentary	Ruth 4:4–9	Luke 1:50 Luke 1:58 Luke 1:68 Luke 1:72 Luke 1:78 1 Peter 1:18 Hebrews 2:11
34) The Messiah would be the righteous sufferer Read Commentary	Psalm 69	Matthew 27:33–34 John 2:17 John 15:25 Acts 1:20 Romans 11:9–10 Romans 15:1–3
35) The Messiah would be the great light Read Commentary	Isaiah 9:1–2 [Hebrew Bible 8:23-9:1]	Matthew 4:13–16 Luke 1:76–79
36) The Messiah would be called a Nazarene Read Commentary	Isaiah 11:1 Isaiah 53:3	Matthew 2:23
37) The Messiah would perform signs of healing Read Commentary	Isaiah 35:5–6	Matthew 11:4–6 Luke 7:20–23
38) The Messiah would be preceded by a forerunner Read Commentary	Isaiah 40:3–5	Matthew 3:1–3 Mark 1:1-3 Luke 1:76 Luke 3:1–6 Luke 7:27 John 1:22–23
39) The Messiah would be a light for the nations of the world Read Commentary	Isaiah 42:1–7	Matthew 12:15–18 Luke 2:27–32 John 8:12
40) The Messiah would be the object of a murderous plot, but hope lies ahead Read Commentary	Jeremiah 31:15	Matthew 2:16–18

(NOTE: This page was formerly “365 Messianic Prophecies”)