Old Testament Books Confirmed in the New Testament
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Introduction
Introduction
the New Testament explicitly refers to and quotes from every major division of the Hebrew Old Testament (Tanakh): the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi’im), and the Writings (Ketuvim).
This is significant because it shows that Jesus and the New Testament writers affirmed the full scope of the Hebrew Scriptures recognised by the Jews of their time.
The Old Testament is divided up in the Bible into 39 books. Below is a look at each book and look for one representative New Testament quotation or reference to the book or person.
Genesis
Genesis
The book of Genesis is mentioned around 60 times in the New Testament. Jesus quotes from these verses in Genesis.
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
This is confirmed by Jesus who refers back to the beginning of creation on the issue of marriage in this verse below:-
He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
Exodus
Exodus
The book of Exodus is mentioned around 40 times in the New Testament. Jesus quotes from this verse in the Exodus.
And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
This is confirmed by Jesus who refers back to a time when God spoke those words directly to Moses in this verse below:-
And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
Leviticus
Leviticus
The book of Leviticus is mentioned around 15 times in the New Testament. Jesus quotes from this verse in the Leviticus.
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.
This is confirmed by Jesus who refers back to the words from God to love your neighbours yourself in this verse below:-
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
Numbers
Numbers
The book of Numbers is mentioned around 10 times in the New Testament. Jesus refers to this verse in the Numbers.
And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
This is confirmed by Jesus who refers back to the Leviticus incident in this verse below:-
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy
The book of Deuteronomy is mentioned around 80 times in the New Testament. Jesus refers to this verse in the Deuteronomy.
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
This is confirmed by Jesus who quotes in this verse below:-
But he answered, “It is written,
“ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Joshua
Joshua
The book of Joshua is mentioned around 5 times in the New Testament. The writer of Hebrews refers to these verses in Joshua.
Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
This is confirmed by the writer of Hebrews who refers to Joshua by name and the refers to the above passage in the verse below:-
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,
Judges
Judges
The book of Judges is mentioned around 5 times in the New Testament. The writer of Hebrews refers to Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah.
She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun.
Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was the father of Jephthah.
And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him.
This is confirmed by the writer of Hebrews who refers to these four Judges by name in this verse below:-
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—
Ruth
Ruth
The book of Ruth is mentioned 2 times in the New Testament. Matthew mentions Boaz in a genealogy that begins with Abraham and ends with Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Joseph is not the biological father of Jesus but this represents God’s promise. Matthew gives the royal/legal line through Joseph.
So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
This is confirmed by Matthew who refers to Boaz and his immediate descendents in the verse below:-
and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,
1 Samuel
1 Samuel
In the Hebrew Bible, 1 & 2 Samuel are considered to be one book. The book of 1 Samuel is mentioned around 15 times in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul refers to where the prophet Samuel is addressing Saul with words for the Lord that he was going to replaced for his disobedience.
But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
This is confirmed by the Apostle Paul who refers to this verse below:-
And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
2 Samuel
2 Samuel
In the Hebrew Bible, 1 & 2 Samuel are considered to be one book. The book of 2 Samuel is mentioned around 2 times in the New Testament. In this passage below, the Lord is speaking to King David through the prophet Nathan.
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”
An angel is recorded in Luke as saying “The Lord God will give him the throne of David”, from the passage below.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
1 Kings
1 Kings
In the Hebrew Bible, 1 & 2 King are considered to be one book. The book of 1 Kings is mentioned 10 times in the New Testament. Jesus refers to where the prophet Elijah was sent by the Lord to go to a widow in Zarephath during a drought he had announced to King Ahab upon the land due to their idolatry. The story says in the third year of the drought this happens.
Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” And the word of the Lord came to him: “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.
And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.
Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”
After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.”
In the Gospel of Luke we read that Jesus refers back to this great famine and the specific location of the one widow that God sent Elijah to for food and water. The Apostle James repeats what Jesus said that the drought lasted three years and six months.
But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
2 Kings
2 Kings
In the Hebrew Bible, 1 & 2 King are considered to be one book. The book of 2 Kings is mentioned 5 times in the New Testament. Jesus refers to where the prophet Elisha performed a miracle in healing Naaman, who was a commander in the Syrian army, but had come to see Elisha for healing from leprosy. Jesus will reference this story.
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”
So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.”
But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
Jesus uses Elisha to illustrate that God's love and power are not confined to the Israelites. He chose to perform a miracle for a foreigner (Naaman) rather than His own people, who had been spiritually resistant. Naaman had shown faith and he was rewarded. God always had a bigger plan through Israel to reach the whole world.
And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
1 & 2 Chronicles
1 & 2 Chronicles
In the Hebrew Bible, 1 & 2 Chronicles are considered to be one book. The book of 1 & 2 Chronicles is mentioned 3 times in the New Testament. The book mentions the death of the priest Zechariah Jesus will reference this story.
Then the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God, ‘Why do you break the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’ ” But they conspired against him, and by command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord. Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, had shown him, but killed his son. And when he was dying, he said, “May the Lord see and avenge!”
Jesus will say “From the blood of Abel to Zechariah…” in the Gospel of Matthew where the religious leaders, disciples and general public are listening to his warning about rejecting those whom God sends. Zechariah is called “the son of Barachiah” by Jesus, rather than the “son of Jehoiada the priest. Double names were frequent among the Jews (1 Samuel 9:1 and 1 Chronicles 8:33; Matthew 9:9 and Mark 2:14, and other examples as well).
The names Jehoiada and Berechiah have much the same meaning: the praise or blessing of Jehovah.
Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
Ezra/Nehemiah
Ezra/Nehemiah
Ezra and Nehemiah were one book in the Hebrew Bible. The book of Ezra is mentioned 1-2 times in the New Testament. Zerubbabel becomes the Governor of Judah after the Babylonian exile (circa 6th century BCE). He led the first group of exiles back to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple foundation. He will be mentioned in the New Testament in the lineage of Jesus.
Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.
Matthew traces Jesus' lineage through David's royal line to Abraham to emphasise his Jewish Messianic claim, while Luke follows the line through David's son Nathan back to Adam to highlight Jesus' universal significance for all humanity.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor,
the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
Job
Job
The book of Job is mentioned 2 times in the New Testament. Job was a righteous man who faced immense suffering when God allowed Satan to test his faith. Despite losing his wealth, family, and health, Job refused to curse God and sought to understand his suffering. The quote is spoken by Eliphaz, one of Job's friends, and it highlights God's ability to trap the wise in their own plans. Paul will quote from Job in his letter i the New Testament known as 1 Corinthians.
He catches the wise in their own craftiness,
and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.
Paul argues that what the world considers wise is foolish to God, who "catches the wise in their craftiness". He warns the Corinthians against worldly pride and self-deception, urging them instead to rely on God's wisdom. God exposes and frustrates the schemes of those who rely on their own cleverness and wisdom, rather than seeking God's guidance.
For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
Psalms
Psalms
The book of Psalms is mentioned over 100 times in the New Testament. Jesus will mention that He fulfills what was written about Him in the Psalms. Some examples are give below with fulfillment taken fro three of the four Gospels from the lips of Jesus.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet.” ’
Jesus mentions that everything written about Him in the Law, Prophets and Psalms must be fulfilled.
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Proverbs
Proverbs
The Book of Proverbs is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, son of David, who reigned over Israel in the 10th century BCE. It is mentioned 5-6 times in the New Testament. While Solomon is the author, Hezekiah’s scribes were the editors or preservers of Proverbs 25. True wisdom is shown not by power or retaliation, but by patience, humility, and compassion.
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
The Apostle Paul gives practical instructions on Christian behaviour, especially in response to evil or hostility. Paul uses this proverb to show that true Christian love mirrors God’s mercy.
To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Ecclesiastes/Song of Solomon/Lamentations
Ecclesiastes/Song of Solomon/Lamentations
In Jewish tradition, the Hebrew Bible is divided into Torah, Prophets, and Writings (Ketuvim). There are no direct quotations taken from these three books. However, these three books are part of what was known as the “Writings” (Ketuvim) by name as a category, but it quotes, alludes to, and cites books that are part of the Writings extensively. Among the Writings, Psalms was by far the most central and authoritative, often standing in for the entire Ketuvim when quoting Scripture.
E.g. It quotes Psalms, Proverbs, Daniel, or other books from the Writings. Jesus used the specific word "Psalms" as a representative of this entire third section. It is by far the largest book.
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Isaiah
Isaiah
The book of Isaiah is quoted 90 times in the New Testament. Isaiah is one of the Major Prophets in the Old Testament. He lived around 740–681 BCE, during the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah. The “voice crying in the wilderness” is mentioned in one of the many prophecies given to Isaiah.
A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
This prophecy is later applied to John the Baptist as the fulfillment in all four Gospels.
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’ ”
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’ ”
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
Jeremiah/Ezekiel
Jeremiah/Ezekiel
The book of Jeremiah is quoted 15-20 times in the New Testament. The book of Ezekiel is part of the Latter Prophets. Jeremiah was a Hebrew prophet who lived around 627–580 BCE, during the final years of Judah before its fall to Babylon. Here, God is the speaker, and He describes a poetic vision of Rachel (the matriarch of Israel) weeping for her descendants — the people of Israel — who have been taken into exile or lost due to war. The scene symbolises the nation’s sorrow over suffering and loss.
Thus says the Lord:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more.”
In this verse, Matthew is explaining that the tragic event — King Herod’s massacre of the infants in Bethlehem — fulfilled the prophecy spoken by God through Jeremiah centuries earlier.
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Daniel
Daniel
Daniel was a Jewish prophet taken into exile in Babylon, living from roughly 620–536 BC. The book of Daniel contains historical accounts of his life and prophetic visions he received of future events.
The speaker is unclear for 9:27.
And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
The speaker is an unnamed angel who continues a vision previously revealed to the prophet Daniel of things to come.
And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.
Jesus directly refers to Daniel and to what he said about the abomination of desolation to come. He is talking to his disciples about the signs of the End Times.
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Hosea
Hosea
Hosea is a prophet in the 8th century BCE. He was speaking about the nation of Israel, not an individual. The “My son” refers to Israel as God’s “child” — a nation chosen and loved by Him. “Out of Egypt” recalls the Exodus, when God delivered Israel from slavery under Pharaoh through Moses. The verse below is looking backward to the Exodus, not forward to a coming Messiah.
When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
Matthew sees Jesus as the true Israel — the faithful Son of God who fulfills the story of Israel’s redemption.Israel was called “God’s son” (Exodus 4:22–23) but often disobeyed. Jesus, also called God’s Son, retraces Israel’s journey — but in perfect obedience. Symbolically, Jesus is the true Israel, the faithful Son, and the inaugurator of a new Exodus — redeeming humanity from the slavery of sin
and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Joel
Joel
The best evidence suggests that Joel wrote the book between 835 and 800 BC. No historical figres are mentioned so it is difficult to be certain. In these verses, it is Yahweh Himself who is speaking.
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
“And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.
At Pentecost, after the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles, Peter quotes the verses above and identifies the speaker in Joel as God, and the fulfillment as beginning in Jesus’ followers through the Holy Spirit.God speaking through Joel foreshadows the Holy Spirit’s coming at Pentecost and the universal offer of salvation in Christ.
But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
“ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Amos
Amos
Amos was a shepherd and farmer called by God to prophesy to the northern kingdom of Israel around 760–755 BC. He prophesies that God will restore the fallen tent of Irsael. This prophecy is interpreted to mean God will restore the kingdom of David and extend His blessings to all nations, not just the descendants of Israel.
“In that day I will raise up
the booth of David that is fallen
and repair its breaches,
and raise up its ruins
and rebuild it as in the days of old,
that they may possess the remnant of Edom
and all the nations who are called by my name,”
declares the Lord who does this.
The Apostle James, the brother of Jesus and a key leader in the Jerusalem church, presided over the Council of Jerusalem. He quote these verses to state that the coming of Jesus Christ and the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant through faith meant they did not need to follow Jewish law under the Old Covenant.
And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
“ ‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’
Obadiah
Obadiah
Although Obadiah is not directly quoted in the New Testament, its themes of pride, justice, divine judgment, and ultimate deliverance deeply influence New Testament theology — especially in Jesus’ teachings, Paul’s letters, and Revelation.
1. Divine Justice – You reap what you sow
For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations.
As you have done, it shall be done to you;
your deeds shall return on your own head.
Matthew 7:2 – “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Galatians 6:7 – “Whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” The principle of reciprocal judgment — actions return upon the doer.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
2. The Day of the Lord
For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations.
As you have done, it shall be done to you;
your deeds shall return on your own head.
the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3. Deliverance on Mount Zion
But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape,
and it shall be holy,
and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions.
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
4. The Kingdom Belongs to the Lord
Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion
to rule Mount Esau,
and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
5. Pride Before Destruction
The pride of your heart has deceived you,
you who live in the clefts of the rock,
in your lofty dwelling,
who say in your heart,
“Who will bring me down to the ground?”
Though you soar aloft like the eagle,
though your nest is set among the stars,
from there I will bring you down,
declares the Lord.
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Jonah
Jonah
The story of Jonah is set during the eighth century BC. The book itself is written in the third person by an unnamed narrator who tells the story of the prophet Jonah.
And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
Jesus referenced the story of Jonah as a factual historical event, and declared it as a sign of His own death and resurrection. In the Gospel of Matthew, when some of the scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a miraculous sign, he responded with the verses below.
But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Micah
Micah
The book of Micah records the prophecies God gave to the prophet Micah who was active from around 740 to 698 BC. These verses are the words from God spoken through Micah.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
The Chief Priests and Scribes are speaking, and King Herod is listening to them explainig at the time of Jesus about the prophecy of where the Messiah was to be born
They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
Nahum
Nahum
Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him
who brings good news,
who publishes peace!
Keep your feasts, O Judah;
fulfill your vows,
for never again shall the worthless pass through you;
he is utterly cut off.
And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Habakkuk
Habakkuk
“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,
but the righteous shall live by his faith.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Zephaniah
Zephaniah
The Day of the Lord — Zephaniah describes the “great day of the LORD” as near, a day of wrath and darkness.
The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
the mighty man cries aloud there.
A day of wrath is that day,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements.
I will bring distress on mankind,
so that they shall walk like the blind,
because they have sinned against the Lord;
their blood shall be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
Neither their silver nor their gold
shall be able to deliver them
on the day of the wrath of the Lord.
In the fire of his jealousy,
all the earth shall be consumed;
for a full and sudden end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.
The NT uses the same phrase and imagery to describe the final judgment. It is mentioned by Paul, Peter and John.
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Haggai
Haggai
Haggai was a Hebrew prophet active in Jerusalem around 520 BC. He spoke the words of the Lord to the people. The verse references the momentous occasion at Mount Sinai, where God's voice caused the earth to shake, a display of His power and holiness. It then pivots to a future prophecy from the prophet Haggai, who declared that God would one day shake the heavens as well as the earth.
For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.
The writer of Hebrews uses this to encourage believers to receive an unshakeable kingdom, serving God with reverence and awe, because their kingdom is eternal.
At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”
Zechariah
Zechariah
Zechariah the prophet lived in the late 6th century BC, active from approximately 520 to 518 BC. He was a contemporary of the prophet Haggai and is known for his book of prophecies that encouraged the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
Zechariah acts as the human conduit for God's message. He is relaying this prophecy to the people of Israel, who had returned from exile. The key elements are that “Your king comes, humble, on a donkey.”
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
This section describes Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The author of Matthew quotes a prophecy that was spoken through the prophet Zechariah from the Lord (Yahweh).
“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ”
Malachi
Malachi
Malachi likely lived around the 5th century BC, most scholars place his ministry between 450 and 430 BC, during the post-exilic Persian period. His prophecies correspond with the time of Ezra and Nehemiah after the Second Temple had been rebuilt in 516 BC. This is the last book of the Old Testament. This is striking because it implies the divine visitation of God — not just a prophet.
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
Jesus is speaking, identifying John the Baptist as the prophesied messenger mentioned in Malachi 3:1. Jesus fulfills this literally when He enters the temple and at His presentation as an infant (Luke 2:22–32) and symbolically at the cleansing of the temple (John 2:13–17; Matthew 21:12–13).
This is he of whom it is written,
“ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
Summary
Summary
The Quran mentions prophets, stories and people from 29 of the 39 books of the Old Testament. However, there is NOT even one direct quote in the Quran from any book of the Old Testamant. The New Testament directly quotes or alludes to 36 of the 39 books of the Old Testament. Some 283 times are direct quotations. Jesus personally quoted or referenced 24 Old Testament books, often linking prophecy to Himself.
Jesus confirms the entire Hebrew Bible in Luke 24: 44 - 'He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”'
The Bible can rightly claim to be a unified revelation from one divine Author (Yawheh) across history, while the Qur’an is a later reinterpretation rather than a continuation of that revelation.
