The Relationship between the Old and New Testaments
Christians understand the Old Testament as preparing us for the coming of Jesus Christ. The authors of the New Testament incorporated Old Testament texts in their writings to demonstrate how this is seen.
This handy guide is found in The Catholic Youth Bible, 4th edition, a rich study Bible that’s designed for teens to enter in, engage, and then challenges them to go change the world.
From the House of David
Old Testament
Isaiah 11:1–9
“A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, / and from his roots a bud shall blossom” (verse 1).
New Testament
Matthew 1:1–17
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (verse 1).
Born of a Virgin
Old Testament
Isaiah 7:14
“The Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel.”
New Testament
Luke 1:26-38
“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary” (verses 26–27).
Ruler of Israel to Come from Bethlehem
Old Testament
Micah 5:1-5
“But you, Bethlehem…/ From you shall come forth for me / one who is to be ruler in Israel” (verse 1).
New Testament
Luke 2:1-14
“And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem” (verse 4).
Wise Men
Old Testament
Isaiah 60:1–6
“The wealth of nations shall come to you…/ bearing gold and frankincense, / and heralding the praises of the Lord” (verses 5–6).
New Testament
Matthew 2:1–12
“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem” (verse 1).
Baptism of Jesus
Old Testament
Isaiah 11:2
“The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.”
New Testament
Luke 3:21–22
“The holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased’” (verse 22).
Entry into Jerusalem
Old Testament
Zechariah 9:9–10
“Behold: your king is coming to you, / a just savior is he, / Humble, and riding on a donkey” (verse 9).
New Testament
Matthew 21:1–11
Also Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–40; John 12:12–19
“When they drew near Jerusalem…, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me’” (verses 1–2).
Suffering Servant
Old Testament
Isaiah, chapter 53
“He was pierced for our sins.…/ He bore the punishment that makes us whole, / by his wounds we were healed” (verse 5).
New Testament
John, chapter 19
“The soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak.
—
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit” (verses 2 and 30).
Pentecost
Old Testament
Joel 3:1–5
“I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. / Your sons and daughters will prophesy, / your old men will dream dreams, / your young men will see visions” (verse 1).
New Testament
Acts 2:1–13
“Suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them” (verses 2–3).
Watch: Jackson explains how the Old Testament Relates to the New Testament
Our goal is to make Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition relatable and understandable! This explanation of the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament is adapted from The Catholic Youth Bible® to empower young people to learn those uniquely Catholic faith traditions.
