From OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Here is the Old Testament context for the passages Matthew cites as fulfilled prophecy in his birth narrative. Each reference includes an explanation of the original Old Testament context and its alignment (or misalignment) with Matthew’s application.
1. The Virgin Birth: Fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14
“All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:22-23)
Old Testament Context (Isaiah 7:14):
In Isaiah, this prophecy was a sign to King Ahaz during a political crisis. The “virgin” (Hebrew: almah, meaning “young woman of marriageable age”) referred to a contemporary woman who would bear a child named Emmanuel, symbolizing God’s presence with His people during their struggle against invading armies. This was not a Messianic prophecy in its original context but a sign of immediate deliverance for Judah.
[Note that Jesus was not named Emmanuel.]
Matthew’s Application:
Matthew reinterprets this passage messianically, applying it to Jesus’ miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and identifying Emmanuel (“God with us”) with Jesus’ divine presence. He uses the Greek Septuagint translation, which renders almah as parthenos (virgin), to support this.
2. Birth in Bethlehem: Fulfillment of Micah 5:2
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” (Matthew 2:5-6)
Old Testament Context (Micah 5:2):
Micah speaks of a future ruler from Bethlehem, the birthplace of David. This prophecy was addressed to a people under Assyrian threat, offering hope of a coming leader who would restore Israel’s fortunes. The focus was on Bethlehem as a symbol of humility and Davidic lineage, rather than on a miraculous birth or the figure of the Messiah as later understood.
Matthew’s Application:
Matthew sees Jesus as fulfilling this prophecy through His birth in Bethlehem, framing Jesus as the Davidic Messiah who fulfills Jewish expectations of a shepherd-king.
3. Flight to Egypt: Fulfillment of Hosea 11:1
“This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’” (Matthew 2:15)
Old Testament Context (Hosea 11:1):
In Hosea, the phrase refers to the historical exodus of Israel from Egypt:
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”
Here, “my son” refers to Israel, God’s chosen nation, and recalls their liberation from slavery. The context is about God’s enduring love for Israel despite their disobedience, not a prediction about the Messiah.
Matthew’s Application:
Matthew reinterprets this passage typologically, presenting Jesus as embodying Israel’s story. He sees Jesus’ flight to and return from Egypt as a parallel to the nation’s exodus, framing Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s destiny.
4. The Massacre of the Innocents: Fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:15
“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:17-18)
Old Testament Context (Jeremiah 31:15):
Jeremiah describes the mourning of Rachel (the symbolic mother of Israel) over her descendants being taken into exile to Babylon. Ramah was a staging point for deportation, and the imagery conveys national grief over the loss of life and freedom. However, the broader chapter is one of hope, as Jeremiah prophesies the restoration of Israel.
Matthew’s Application:
Matthew uses this verse to highlight the sorrow caused by Herod’s massacre of infants in Bethlehem. While Jeremiah’s context is exile, Matthew applies the imagery of Rachel’s mourning to a different historical event, drawing a thematic parallel of suffering and loss within Israel’s story.
5. Settling in Nazareth: “He will be called a Nazorean”
“There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’” (Matthew 2:23)
Old Testament Context:
There is no explicit Old Testament prophecy stating “He will be called a Nazorean.” Scholars suggest Matthew may be making a wordplay on Isaiah 11:1, which describes a future Davidic ruler as a “branch” (netser in Hebrew):
“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.”
Others propose Matthew refers to a general prophetic theme of the Messiah’s humble origins, as Nazareth was an insignificant village.
Matthew’s Application:
Matthew combines linguistic and thematic elements to frame Jesus’ residence in Nazareth as prophetic fulfillment, aligning with his portrayal of Jesus as the despised yet chosen one.
Summary of Matthew’s Use of Prophecy
Matthew uses Old Testament texts creatively to present Jesus as the fulfillment of scripture. In many cases, the original context of these passages addressed historical or symbolic issues unrelated to the Messiah. Matthew reinterprets them typologically or thematically, aligning events in Jesus’ life with broader patterns in Israel’s history.
Themes of Matthew vs. Luke
- Matthew: Emphasizes Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and King, fulfilling prophecies and typologies rooted in Israel’s history.
- Luke: Highlights Jesus as the universal Savior, focusing on humility, inclusivity, and God’s work among the marginalized.
Resources
- New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV) for scripture quotations.
- Brown, Raymond E., The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in Matthew and Luke.
- Collins, John J., Introduction to the Hebrew Bible.
- Perkins, Pheme, Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels.
- Powell, Mark Allan, Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey.
