Gospels Part 027
In addition to hundreds of prophecies about Jesus Christ, the lives of a number of individual people in the Bible represented, or were a ‘type’ of, aspects of Jesus’ life and mission.
Here are several examples:
Adam was the first of the physical human family; Jesus is the first of God’s spirit family. As the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:47-49: “The first man [Adam] was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man [Jesus Christ] is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”
The story of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of his son Isaac in Genesis 22 is a preview or type—a kind of “dress rehearsal”—of the story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. Notice some of the many parallels between both accounts: Both take place at Mt. Moriah (the location of Jerusalem). Both mention three days. Both involve the one to be sacrificed carrying the wood to the place of sacrifice. Both involve the one to be sacrificed laid out on wood to be killed. Both involve a substitute sacrifice. Both involve thorns wrapped around the sacrifices’ heads. Both involve the complete submission of a son to his father’s will. Both involve a loving father being willing to sacrifice that which was most precious to him.
Moses prophesied to Israel that God would “raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst” (Deuteronomy 18:15). There are many parallels between Moses and Jesus, including the following: Both were born when their people were in bondage. Both narrowly escaped death as infants. Both remained in exile in foreign lands until the rulers who sought their lives were dead. Both were initially rejected by their people. Both performed many miracles at God’s direction. Both brought their people deliverance from bondage. Both miraculously fed huge numbers of people. Both were tested in the wilderness. Both were great lawgivers and teachers of the law. Both were spokesmen for God. Both were leading their people to a Promised Land.
Jesus was often called “son of David,” a term for the Messiah. Not only was He a physical descendant of David, He and David had many similarities including the following: Both were born in Bethlehem. Both were deeply loved by God. Both had many enemies. Both defeated their enemies. Both were promised a throne and kingdom that would last forever. Both were shepherds—one over sheep, the other over people. Both were betrayed by a close companion, and both of those companions killed themselves by hanging.
Jesus proclaimed Himself to be “greater than Solomon” (Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31). Here, too, we see a number of similarities. Both were direct descendants of King David. Both had great wisdom divinely given to them by God. Both were known as great teachers. Both had people come from everywhere to hear their teaching. Both received a kingdom established by God.
Elijah was the greatest prophet of his day, and Jesus was certainly the greatest Prophet of His day. They share other similarities such as the following: Both fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness. Both received divine help after their wilderness fasts. Both rebuked the leadership of their nations. People sought to kill both men. Both raised others from the dead. Both ascended into the sky after completing their work on earth.
Elijah was succeeded by another great prophet, his disciple Elisha. Elisha and Jesus also share similarities, including the following: Their names share the same meaning—“God is salvation.” Both started their ministries at the Jordan River. Both raised a woman’s only son from the dead. Both miraculously fed a large number of people from a small amount of food. Both healed others of leprosy. Both gave sight to the blind. Both were betrayed by close companions for love of money.
© Scott Ashley, 2025. All rights reserved.
Course Content
Scott Ashley
Scott Ashley was managing editor of Beyond Today magazine, United Church of God booklets and its printed Bible Study Course until his retirement in 2023. He also pastored three congregations in Colorado for 10 years from 2011-2021. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Ashley attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he worked for 50 years.
During his career, he has worked for several publishing companies in various capacities. He was employed by the United Church of God from 1995-2023, overseeing the planning, writing, editing, reviewing and production of Beyond Today magazine, several dozen booklets/study guides and a Bible study course covering major biblical teachings. His special interests are the Bible, archaeology, biblical culture, history and the Middle East.
