The Full Story

The Massacre of the Innocents

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Herod was the King of Judea. He heard about the birth of Jesus and wanted him killed as he feared one day Jesus would take his throne.

When he failed to find Jesus, Herod ordered the death of all newborn baby boys, believing Jesus would be among them. This event is known as the "Massacre of the Innocents."

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Prophecy of Jesus' birth

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The Old Testament foretold that the promised Messiah would be David's descendant, and would have legitimate claim to the restored throne of the Davidic dynasty.

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Isaiah 7:14 KJV

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Isaiah 9:6 KJV

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

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Micah 5:2 KJV

"But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

Old Testament (OT) prophecies of Jesus and their New Testament (NT) fulfillment

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1. Messiah would be born of a woman.   

(OT) Genesis 3:15

(NT) Matthew 1:20

(NT) Galatians 4:4

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2. Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.   

(OT) Micah 5:2

(NT) Matthew 2:1

(NT) Luke 2:4-6

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3. Messiah would come from the line of Abraham.   

(OT) Genesis 12:3

(OT) Genesis 22:18

(NT) Matthew 1:1

(NT) Romans 9:5

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4. Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac.   

(OT) Genesis 17:19

(OT) Genesis 21:12

(NT) Luke 3:34

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5. Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob.   

(OT) Numbers 24:17

(NT) Matthew 1:2

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6. Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah.   

(OT) Genesis 49:10

(NT) Luke 3:33

(NT) Hebrews 7:14

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7. Messiah would be heir to King David's throne.   

2 Samuel 7:12-13

(OT) Isaiah 9:7

(NT) Luke 1:32-33

(NT) Romans 1:3

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8. Messiah's throne will be anointed and eternal.   

(OT) Psalm 45:6-7

(OT) Daniel 2:44

(NT) Luke 1:33

(NT) Hebrews 1:8-12

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9. Messiah would be called Immanuel.   

(OT) Isaiah 7:14

(NT) Matthew 1:23

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10. Messiah would spend a season in Egypt.   

(OT) Hosea 11:1

(NT) Matthew 2:14-15

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11. A massacre of children would happen at Messiah's birthplace.   

(OT) Jeremiah 31:15

(NT) Matthew 2:16-18

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12. A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah.   

(OT) Isaiah 40:3-5

(NT) Luke 3:3-6

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13. Messiah would be preceded by a forerunner.   

(OT) Malachi 3:1

(NT) Matthew 11:10

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14. Messiah would be rejected by his own people. 

(OT) Psalm 69:8

(OT) Isaiah 53:3

(NT) John 1:11

(NT) John 7:5

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15. Messiah would be a prophet.   

(OT) Deuteronomy 18:15

(NT) Acts 3:20-22

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16. Messiah would be preceded by Elijah. 

(OT) Malachi 4:5-6

(NT) Matthew 11:13-14

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17. Messiah would be declared the Son of God. 

(OT) Psalm 2:7

(NT) Matthew 3:16-17

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18. Messiah would be called a Nazarene.   

(OT) Isaiah 11:1

(NT) Matthew 2:23

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19. Messiah would bring light to Galilee. 

(OT) Isaiah 9:1-2

(NT) Matthew 4:13-16

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20. Messiah would speak in parables.   

(OT) Psalm 78:2-4

(OT) Isaiah 6:9-10

(NT) Matthew 13:10-15, 34-35

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21. Messiah would be sent to heal the brokenhearted. 

(OT) Isaiah 61:1-2

(NT) Luke 4:18-19

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22. Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek.   

(OT) Psalm 110:4

(NT) Hebrews 5:5-6

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23. Messiah would be called King.   

(OT) Psalm 2:6

(OT) Zechariah 9:9

(NT) Matthew 27:37

(NT) Mark 11:7-11

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24. Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a donkey. 

(OT) Zechariah 11:12

(NT) Matthew 21:4-5

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25. Messiah would be praised by little children.   

(OT) Psalm 8:2

(NT) Matthew 21:16

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26. Messiah would be betrayed. 

(OT) Psalm 41:9

(OT) Zechariah 11:12-13

(NT) Luke 22:47-48

(NT) Matthew 26:14-16

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27. Messiah's price money would be used to buy a potter's field.   

(OT) Zechariah 11:12-13

(NT) Matthew 27:9-10

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28. Messiah would be falsely accused. 

(OT) Psalm 35:11

(NT) Mark 14:57-58

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29. Messiah would be silent before his accusers.   

(OT) Isaiah 53:7

(NT) Mark 15:4-5

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30. Messiah would be spat upon and struck.   

(OT) Isaiah 50:6

(NT) Matthew 26:67

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31. Messiah would be hated without cause.   

(OT) Psalm 35:19

(OT) Psalm 69:4

(NT) John 15:24-25

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32. Messiah would be crucified with criminals. 

(OT) Isaiah 53:12

(NT) Matthew 27:38

(NT) Mark 15:27-28

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33. Messiah would be given vinegar to drink. 

(OT) Psalm 69:21

(NT) Matthew 27:34

(NT) John 19:28-30

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34. Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced. 

(OT) Psalm 22:16

(OT) Zechariah 12:10

(NT) John 20:25-27

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35. Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed. 

(OT) Psalm 22:7-8

(NT) Luke 23:35

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36. Soldiers would gamble for Messiah's garments. 

(OT) Psalm 22:18

(NT) Luke 23:34

(NT) Matthew 27:35-36

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37. Messiah's bones would not be broken.   

(OT) Exodus 12:46

(OT) Psalm 34:20

(NT) John 19:33-36

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38. Messiah would be forsaken by God. 

(OT) Psalm 22:1

(NT) Matthew 27:46

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39. Messiah would pray for his enemies. 

(OT) Psalm 109:4

(NT) Luke 23:34

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40. Soldiers would pierce Messiah's side. 

(OT) Zechariah 12:10

(NT) John 19:34

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41. Messiah would be buried with the rich. 

(OT) Isaiah 53:9

(NT) Matthew 27:57-60

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42. Messiah would resurrect from the dead. 

(OT) Psalm 16:10

(OT) Psalm 49:15

(NT) Matthew 28:2-7

(NT) Acts 2:22-32

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43. Messiah would ascend to heaven. 

(OT) Psalm 24:7-10

(NT) Mark 16:19

(NT) Luke 24:51

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44. Messiah would be seated at God's right hand. 

(OT) Psalm 68:18

(OT) Psalm 110:1

(NT) Mark 16:19

(NT) Matthew 22:44

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45. Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin. 

(OT) Isaiah 53:5-12

(NT) Romans 5:6-8

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46. Messiah would return a second time.  

(OT) Daniel  7:13-14

(NT) Revelation 19

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