What did the Prophet’s Know
Matthew 1:18-25
Intro.
Matt. 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet,
saying,
Everything about the birth of Christ was planned by the Creator.
Much of what would happen surrounding the birth of Christ he told to the prophets throughout the ages.
So, how much did they know?
I. They knew WHO Jesus would be.
Is. 9:6 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace.
A. He would be God in the flesh. John 1:1-5, 14
1. He was and is the Creator
2. He became flesh “and dwelt among us”.
II. They knew WHAT Jesus would be.
Is. 59:20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in
Jacob, saith the LORD.
A. He would be a ruler.
1. A ruler
Is. 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of
David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from
henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
a. Descended from the throne of David.
b. It would be an eternal throne - no end.
c. He would be the forever King.
Dan. 2:37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a
kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
2. He would be the Redeemer.
1. Is. 59:20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from
transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
a. The angel told Joseph.
Matt. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name
JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
2. He would pay for our sin.
Is. 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his
own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
III. The knew WHEN Jesus would come.
Dan. 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to
restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and
two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
A. The “weeks” are actually periods of one year.
a. 7 X 7 is 49 years, the time to complete the temple.
b. 63 X 7 is 434 years.
c. 49 years + 434 years = 483 years
c. From the beginning of the restoration of Jerusalem to when Jesus born would be 483
years.
B. Two people are specifically mentioned who knew that the time had come for Jesus to be
born.
1. Simeon (Luke 2:25-34)
2. Anna (Luke 2:36-38)
C. Nearly everyone knew the time was close.
D. Some thought that John the Baptist could possible be the Messiah, so the send people to
ask him exactly who he was.
Luke 3:15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts
of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
E. Jesus came at just the right time.
Gal. 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a
woman, made under the law,
IV. They knew WHERE Jesus would be born.
Mic. 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem 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.
A. Bethlehem
B. The City of David.
V. They knew HOW he Jesus would be born.
Is. 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a
son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
A. Born of a Virgin.
B. He would have no earthly Father.
C. He would be conceived of the Holy Spirit.
1. The angel told Joseph.
Matt. 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared
unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy
wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost
2. The angel told Mary.
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon
thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall
be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
VI. They knew WHY Jesus would be born.
A. To bring us salvation.
Zech. 9:9 ¶ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King
cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the
foal of an ass.
B. To save us, that is wy
Matt. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save
his people Matt. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he
shall save his people from their sins.from their sins.
C. Without Christ we would be lost and without hope.
1. ONLY he can save us.
2. Salvation is God’s Gift to us.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph. 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Conclusion
So what did the prophets know about Jesus?
They knew WHO he would be.
They knew WHAT he would be.
They knew WHEN he would come.
They knew WHERE he would be born
They knew HOW he would be born.
They knew WHY God sent him.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to
them that believe on his name:
His own people rejected Him.
Will you receive Him?
Christ is what Christmas is all about.
Have you received the Christ of Christmas as your own personal savior?
