How Does Biblical Theology Interpret Old Testament Passages About Jesus?

Aug 12

Biblical theology approaches the Old Testament as an essential part of the unified story of redemption, where Jesus Christ stands as the central figure and ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. This method treats the Old Testament not merely as background to the New Testament, but as the foundation upon which the revelation of Christ is built. The Old Testament points forward through promises, types, and prophecies, while the New Testament confirms and fulfills these anticipations in the person and work of Jesus.

By maintaining a Christ-centered framework, biblical theology bridges the Testaments, demonstrating that the same God who spoke through Moses and the prophets has spoken fully and finally through His Son (Hebrews 1:1–2).

1. Christ as the Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy

The Old Testament contains direct prophecies that find their ultimate realization in Jesus. Passages like Isaiah 7:14 (“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son…”) and Micah 5:2 (“from you shall come forth… one who is to be ruler in Israel”) are explicitly applied to Christ in the Gospels (Matthew 1:22–23; 2:5–6).

Biblical theology studies these prophecies in their original historical setting while also recognizing their greater fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This approach avoids reading New Testament meaning into Old Testament texts without warrant, instead tracing the progression of revelation as God’s plan unfolds.

2. Typology as a Bridge Between the Testaments

Typology is a key tool in biblical theology for interpreting Old Testament passages about Jesus. A type is a God-ordained person, event, or institution that foreshadows and anticipates its greater fulfillment in Christ.

Adam, the first man, serves as a type of Christ, the “last Adam” who brings life where Adam brought death (Romans 5:14–17; 1 Corinthians 15:45).
David, Israel’s king, points to Jesus, the Son of David who rules an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12–16; Luke 1:32–33).
The Passover lamb anticipates Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Exodus 12:21–28; John 1:29).

In each case, the Old Testament type is not an arbitrary symbol but a real part of redemptive history that reaches its fullest meaning in Christ.

3. Jesus as the Climax of Old Testament Themes

Biblical theology identifies recurring themes in the Old Testament—such as victory over enemies, peace for God’s people, and the glory of God’s presence—and shows how Jesus embodies and completes them.

Victory: The promise of crushing the serpent’s head in Genesis 3:15 is fulfilled in Christ’s triumph over sin, death, and the devil (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14).
Peace: The prophetic vision of peace in Isaiah 9:6–7 comes to pass through Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who reconciles Jew and Gentile into one new humanity (Ephesians 2:14–17).
Glory: The glory that filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34–35) is surpassed by the glory revealed in the incarnate Son (John 1:14).

4. The Role of the Biblical Covenants

Covenants form the backbone of the Old Testament’s structure and point forward to Christ. Biblical theology examines Jesus as the fulfillment of each covenant:

Abrahamic Covenant: Jesus is the seed of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:16).
Davidic Covenant: Jesus inherits David’s throne forever (2 Samuel 7:16; Acts 2:29–36).
New Covenant: Jesus mediates the promised new covenant of forgiveness and heart transformation (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Luke 22:20).

These covenants not only anticipate Christ but also structure the entire redemptive storyline, making Him the hinge between promise and fulfillment.

5. Jesus and the Institutions of Israel

The Old Testament’s feasts, priesthood, and temple worship all point to realities fulfilled in Christ. The Gospel of John especially emphasizes this connection:

Jesus is the true bread from heaven, fulfilling the manna of the wilderness (Exodus 16; John 6:31–35).
Jesus offers living water, surpassing the water rituals of the Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:8; John 7:37–39).
Jesus is the true temple, the dwelling place of God with His people (1 Kings 8:10–13; John 2:19–21).

These connections demonstrate that Jesus not only fulfills the Old Testament but also redefines and transforms its symbols in light of His person and work.

6. Promise and Fulfillment as a Hermeneutical Lens

Biblical theology often uses the framework of promise and fulfillment to interpret Old Testament passages about Jesus. The promises given to Israel—whether of land, blessing, or restoration—are shown to find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ and the new creation.

This approach does not diminish the original meaning of the promises but shows how they expand in Christ to include all who belong to Him by faith (Romans 4:13–16; Galatians 3:26–29).

7. The Old Testament as Preparation for the Messiah

The Old Testament not only predicts but also prepares for Jesus. Laws, sacrifices, and prophetic expectations shape Israel’s identity and cultivate a longing for the coming Redeemer.

The book of Hebrews highlights this preparatory role, describing the law as a “shadow of the good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1) and pointing to Jesus as the better high priest, better sacrifice, and mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8–10).

8. Using Jesus to Interpret the Old Testament

While the Old Testament sheds light on Jesus, the reverse is also true—Jesus brings full clarity to the Old Testament. On the road to Emmaus, the risen Christ explained to His disciples “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets… the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

Biblical theology embraces this dual movement: using the Old Testament to understand Christ and using Christ to illuminate the Old Testament. This ensures that interpretation remains faithful to the whole counsel of God.

9. Confirming and Developing Old Testament Theology

Biblical theology affirms that the theological truths of the Old Testament remain valid, but in Christ they reach their fullest expression. The God who revealed Himself to Abraham, Moses, and David is the same God revealed in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

At the same time, Christ’s coming develops Old Testament theology, revealing mysteries hidden for ages but now made known to all nations (Ephesians 3:4–6).

10. Implications for the Gospel and the End of the Story

Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament enriches our understanding of the Gospel as the climax of God’s plan from the beginning. It also points us toward the consummation, when all the promises of God find their “Yes” in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20) and the story reaches its fulfillment in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1–4).

In this way, biblical theology keeps both the past and the future in view, showing that the same Christ promised in the Law and Prophets will return to complete the redemption He has begun.

Bible Verses About Jesus in the Old Testament

Genesis 3:15 – “He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
Genesis 22:18 – “In your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.”
Deuteronomy 18:15 – “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me…”
2 Samuel 7:16 – “Your throne shall be established forever.”
Psalm 110:1 – “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand…’”
Isaiah 7:14 – “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son…”
Isaiah 9:6 – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…”
Micah 5:2 – “From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel…”
Zechariah 9:9 – “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation…”
Malachi 3:1 – “The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple…”

Anthony Delgado https://anthonydelgado.net