What Old Testament prophecies affirm Jesus as the "One" in Luke 7:19? The Question in Luke 7:19 “And John calling two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord, asking, ‘Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?’” Prophecies Isaiah Foretold—and Jesus Fulfilled When John’s messengers arrive, Jesus responds by performing and pointing to miracles drawn straight from Isaiah’s visions of Messiah: • Isaiah 35:5-6 – “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the mute tongue will shout for joy.” • 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 bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners.” Luke 7:22 echoes both passages: “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and good news is proclaimed to the poor.” By matching Isaiah’s exact list, Jesus answers John’s question without a direct “yes”—letting Scripture speak. Promises of “the Coming One” in the Law • Genesis 3:15 – the Seed who will crush the serpent’s head. • Genesis 22:18 – Abraham’s Seed through whom “all nations of the earth will be blessed.” • Deuteronomy 18:15-19 – the greater Prophet like Moses to whom Israel must listen. Messiah’s Royal Line and Birth • 2 Samuel 7:12-13 – David’s heir whose throne God will establish forever. • Psalm 2 – the Son installed on Zion, ruling the nations. • Isaiah 7:14 – “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” • Isaiah 9:6-7 – “For unto us a child is born… His government and peace will have no end.” • Micah 5:2 – Bethlehem Ephrathah as Messiah’s birthplace. Descriptions of His Character and Ministry • Isaiah 11:1-5 – the Spirit-anointed Branch from Jesse exercising righteous judgment. • Isaiah 42:1-7 – the Servant bringing justice, opening blind eyes, and freeing captives. • Psalm 40:6-8 (cf. Hebrews 10:5-9) – delighting to do God’s will. Prophecies of Suffering and Atonement • Psalm 22 – mocked, pierced hands and feet, garments divided. • Isaiah 53 – despised, wounded for our transgressions, yet seeing His offspring. Public Presentation and Rejection • Zechariah 9:9 – entering Jerusalem “gentle and riding on a donkey.” • Malachi 3:1 – “Behold, I send My messenger… then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to His temple.” • Malachi 4:5-6 – Elijah’s return (fulfilled in John the Baptist; cf. Luke 1:17). Summary List of Old Testament Witnesses to “the One” • Genesis 3:15; 22:18 • Psalm 2; 22; 40; 110 • Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 11:1-5; 35:5-6; 42:1-7; 53; 61:1-2 • Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6 Taken together, these prophecies paint one unified portrait. When Jesus heals the blind, raises the dead, preaches good news to the poor, and rides into Jerusalem on a donkey—while being born in Bethlehem from David’s line and ultimately giving His life as Isaiah 53 foretold—He checks every box the Old Testament gave for “the One who is to come.” |
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