“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23 (Part Four)

We closed last week’s bulletin looking to this week’s installment with the intent of searching the Old Testament scriptures for passages where forms of the Hebrew word nazer are found. Our purpose will be to consider verses in Isaiah and Jeremiah particularly.

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23 (Part Three)

OK, we’ve touched on a couple of verses in the Old Testament demonstrating that Nazareth and Nazarene were indeed divinely uttered by a prophet (Isaiah) of the Old Covenant looking to the coming Messiah.

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23 (Part Two)

We’ve begun to break down this prophetic statement, “He shall be called a Nazarene”, penned by the apostle Matthew under inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23  (Part one)

Way back when we got this study rolling on Old Testament quotes found in the New Testament, we promised we’d look at some of the more obscure or difficult to understand quotes. Today we take a diversion down that fork of the road considering the above passage.

‘Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ‘ Matt. 3:1-3

Last week we took a look at part of the second most often quoted Psalm in the New Testament, Psalm 118. Verses 22 and 23 were cited and expounded upon for our edification, particularly the aspect that the chief corner stone which was rejected by the builders (Jews of Jesus’ day) was laid in heavenly Zion and it is that day that Scripture states is marvelous in our (spiritual) eyes and that we should be glad and rejoice in it. 

‘Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ‘ Matt. 3:1-3

How you doing so far in this study of Old Testament quotes found in New Testament inspired texts?

‘Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ‘ Matt. 3:1-3

We press on in our study of the most often quoted or alluded to Old Testament passages in the New Testament.

‘Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ‘ Matt. 3:1-3

The prophetic utterances of the Old Testament prophets were meant to be understood in (the) light of Jesus Christ and ultimately the New Covenant. 

‘Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ‘ Matt. 3:1-3

We’ve covered three of the most often quoted or alluded to Old Testament passages in the New Testament.

April 22nd Bulletin

‘Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ‘ Matt. 3:1-3

Well, we’ve finished considering the means by which theologians in the religious marketplace quantify Old Testament quotes when used in the New Testament.