What Old Testament prophecies connect to Jesus being called a prophet in Matthew 21:11? Putting Matthew 21:11 in Focus “The crowds replied, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’” (Matthew 21:11) The people publicly identify Jesus as “the prophet.” They are not inventing a new title; they are echoing ancient promises that God would once again send a prophet who would speak His very words. Several Old Testament texts shape this expectation. The Foundational Promise: Deuteronomy 18:15–19 • Deuteronomy 18:15 — “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” • Deuteronomy 18:18–19 — “I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. And I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that that prophet speaks in My name.” Key connections to Jesus: - A prophet “like Moses” — Moses mediated covenant, performed signs, and spoke face-to-face with God; Jesus does all three on a greater scale. - Divine authority — the crowds in Matthew 21 have watched Jesus cleanse the temple (21:12-13) and heal the blind and lame (21:14), exactly the kind of decisive, God-backed action expected of the promised prophet. - A call to listen — God warns that those who ignore this prophet will be held accountable; the triumphal-entry crowd senses the urgency. The Silence After Moses: Deuteronomy 34:10 “Since then, no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.” Israel’s history closes the Torah with a void—no one yet matches Moses. By Jesus’ day, devout Israelites still wait for the greater Moses, making the label “prophet” in Matthew 21:11 laden with longing and significance. Isaiah’s Spirit-Anointed Messenger • Isaiah 61:1-2 — “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor… to proclaim liberty to the captives… to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.” • Isaiah 42:1-4 — “I have put My Spirit upon Him, and He will bring justice to the nations… He will faithfully bring forth justice.” Links to Jesus: - Luke 4:18-21 records Jesus reading Isaiah 61 in Nazareth and declaring, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” The hometown crowd originally marvels, then resists—yet in Matthew 21:11 pilgrims from all over Israel now echo the very identity Nazareth once questioned. - The Spirit’s anointing marks a prophetic office; Isaiah foresees One who proclaims, heals, and liberates—precisely what Jesus has just displayed in Jerusalem. The Spirit-Endowed Shoot of Jesse: Isaiah 11:2 “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” Prophetic speech flows from the Spirit’s fullness. Jesus’ wisdom in teaching and authority over nature, sickness, and demons signal that Isaiah 11’s description is unfolding before the people’s eyes. Prophetic Signs in Zechariah and Their Fulfillment • Zechariah 9:9 — “Behold, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey.” (Jesus enacts this sign in Matthew 21:5-7.) Although the verse names a “King,” Zechariah’s broader context (12:10; 13:1) links the coming one with divine revelation and cleansing—roles filled by prophets. By deliberately fulfilling Zechariah 9:9, Jesus ties His kingly arrival to a prophetic sign-act, reinforcing the crowd’s designation. How These Prophecies Converge in Matthew 21 - Timing: Passover pilgrims recall God’s mighty acts through Moses; seeing Jesus arrive with miraculous authority primes them to connect Deuteronomy 18 to Him. - Actions: Cleansing the temple, healing the blind and lame, and teaching with unmatched clarity mirror Isaiah’s Spirit-anointed Servant. - Symbolism: Riding the donkey fulfills Zechariah, acting out prophecy as earlier prophets did (e.g., Ezekiel’s sign-acts). - Public confession: The crowd’s cry “the prophet” shows they grasp, at least partially, that the long-awaited figure has appeared. Why the Prophetic Title Matters • It affirms that Jesus is not one voice among many but the climactic revelation promised from Moses onward. • It underscores the unity of Scripture—promises spoken in the wilderness, through exile, and after return find literal fulfillment in first-century Jerusalem. • It heightens responsibility: Deuteronomy 18:19 warns of judgment for ignoring this prophet; Matthew’s narrative will soon reveal the consequences for those who reject Him. Key Takeaways for Today - Scripture’s promises are precise and trustworthy; what God predicts, He performs. - Recognizing Jesus as the promised Prophet calls for obedient listening; His words carry absolute divine authority. - The seamless link between Old and New Testaments invites deeper confidence that every page of God’s Word points to Christ. |
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