Isaiah is an Old Testament prophet who lived around 700 BC. His prophetic ministry extended from around 740 to 680 BC and spanned the reign of four kings who were Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. He is called the Messianic prophet because his prophetic references that speak of the life of Christ far outnumber any of the other Old Testament prophets. There are twenty-two direct references to the prophet Isaiah that are quoted in the New Testament and many other quotes, perhaps at least one hundred that also speak of the life and ministry of Jesus, the Christ. This next series will delve into the New Testament verses that are directly linked to Isaiah.
The first link refers to Isaiah 40:3 and regards the ministry of John the Baptist as the herald of Christ. Matthew 3:3 is a direct quote of this verse. Matthew 3:1-3 states:
In those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.’”
Mark 1:3 references this same scripture. Luke extends Isaiah 40:3 and continues including Isaiah 40:4-5. Luke also directly references the prophet Isaiah whereas Mark reminds his reader that this is just “as it is written in the Prophets” because Mark also includes Malachi 3:1.
The next direct quote from Isaiah is found in Matthew 4:13-16 and is a direct quote from Isaiah 9:1-2 and reads, “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, ‘He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.’” This verse was taken from Isaiah 53:5 and is also quoted in 1 Peter 2:24.
The next prophecy taken from Isaiah is found in Matthew 12:17-21 and is basically a direct quote from Isaiah 42:1-4 which reads:
1. Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
2. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.
3. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.
4. He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for His law.
Matthew 12:21 adds the phrase, “And in His name Gentiles will trust.” Isaiah 42:6 states that “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles.” Thus we see from these passages in Isaiah that Jesus’ presence was proclaimed by John the Baptist. The light of Christ’s life first appeared in northern Israel, in the land of the Gentiles. In Christ’s death, He took our sickness and sin upon Himself and in so doing He Himself became our salvation.
When we come to faith in Him, we have His promise of eternal life with Him. He truly becomes the “light: of our life."