The Son – Jesus Christ in the Old and New Testaments: Prefiguration, Incarnation, and Fulfilment
1. Introduction
Christian theology affirms that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both eternally pre-existent and historically incarnate. Though the Old Testament (OT) does not name Jesus explicitly, it testifies to the coming of the Messiah, anticipated in prophecy, prefigured in type, and manifested in divine appearances. The New Testament (NT), by contrast, identifies Jesus unambiguously as the eternal Son, incarnated in time, fulfilling all Old Testament shadows and promises. This article offers a parallel theological analysis of the Son across both Testaments.
2. Terminology and Revelation
| Aspect | Old Testament | New Testament |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Not directly named; Messiah, Son (Psalm 2), Servant | Jesus, Christ, Son of God, Son of Man |
| Divine Title | “Angel of the LORD”, “Son” (Psalm 2; Prov. 30:4) | “Only Begotten Son”, “Word”, “Image of God” (John 1; Heb. 1) |
| Revelation Mode | Typology, prophecy, theophany | Incarnation, teaching, cross and resurrection |
| Clarity of Identity | Partial and veiled | Direct and full (Heb. 1:1–3; John 1:14) |
The OT contains fragmentary revelations of the Son; the NT provides full self-disclosure in the person of Jesus.
3. Divine Pre-Existence and Agency
| Theological Role | Old Testament Insight | New Testament Fulfilment |
|---|---|---|
| Agent of Creation | Wisdom and Word as pre-existent (Prov. 8; Ps. 33:6) | “Through Him all things were made” (John 1:3; Col. 1:16) |
| Pre-existence | Implied in divine appearances and Wisdom literature | Explicit in John 1:1–2; Phil. 2:6; Heb. 1:2 |
| Mediator of Revelation | Prophets anticipate divine speaker (Deut. 18:15–19) | Jesus as final Word (Heb. 1:1–3; John 14:9) |
Jesus is not introduced in the NT as a new figure but as the revealed identity of the pre-existent Word already active in the OT.
4. Christophanies and Incarnation
| Divine Presence | Old Testament | New Testament |
|---|---|---|
| Christophanies | Angel of the LORD, fourth man in the fire, divine visitor | Pre-existent Son becomes incarnate in Jesus (John 1:14) |
| Human Encounter | Abraham (Gen. 18), Moses (Exod. 3), Joshua (Josh. 5) | Disciples, crowds, and personal relationships with Jesus |
| Worship and Revelation | Divine figure accepts worship, speaks as God | Jesus receives worship (Matt. 14:33; John 9:38) |
In the OT, the Son is veiled in mystery; in the NT, He dwells among us, taking on flesh to fulfil divine purpose (Phil. 2:6–8).
5. Messianic Expectation and Fulfilment
| Messianic Theme | Old Testament Prophecy | New Testament Realisation |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin birth | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:23 |
| Birthplace | Micah 5:2 | Matthew 2:4–6 |
| Line of David | 2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 9:6–7 | Luke 1:32–33; Romans 1:3 |
| Suffering Servant | Isaiah 53 | 1 Peter 2:22–25; Acts 8:32–35 |
| Resurrection and Exaltation | Psalm 16; Psalm 110 | Acts 2:24–36; Hebrews 1:3 |
The NT Gospels and Epistles consistently identify Jesus as the One foretold, thereby validating His divine Sonship and Messianic mission.
6. Typology and Christocentric Fulfilment
| OT Type/Shadow | Meaning in Context | Fulfilment in the Son Jesus Christ |
|---|---|---|
| Adam | Head of humanity, fall through disobedience | Jesus as last Adam, obedient unto death (Rom. 5) |
| Isaac | Sacrificial son of Abraham | Jesus as true sacrificial Son (John 3:16) |
| Joseph | Betrayed yet exalted to save many | Jesus betrayed and exalted (Acts 2:23–36) |
| Moses | Mediator of covenant, lawgiver | Jesus as greater Moses (Heb. 3:1–6) |
| David | Shepherd-King of Israel | Jesus as King of kings (Rev. 19:16; Luke 1:32–33) |
| Passover Lamb | Blood brings deliverance | Christ, our Passover, sacrificed (1 Cor. 5:7) |
The NT affirms that the Son is the substance to which the OT shadows point (cf. Col. 2:17; Heb. 10:1).
7. Relationship with the Father
| Aspect | Old Testament Hints | New Testament Fulfilment |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Sonship | Psalm 2:7 – “You are my Son…” | Baptism and Transfiguration declarations (Matt. 3:17; 17:5) |
| Obedience and Trust | Isaiah 53:10 – the Servant submits | John 5:19; Phil. 2:8 – “Obedient unto death” |
| Eternal Fellowship | Proverbs 8:30 – Wisdom beside God | John 17:5 – “Glorify me… before the world began” |
The NT completes and confirms the relational nature of Sonship revealed in divine purpose and action.
8. Redemptive Purpose: Anticipation to Accomplishment
| Redemptive Element | Old Testament Expectation | New Testament Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Sacrifice for Sin | Levitical offerings, Isaiah 53 | Jesus as once-for-all sacrifice (Heb. 9:12) |
| Mediator of Covenant | Moses and the law | Jesus mediates new covenant (Heb. 8:6; Luke 22:20) |
| Inauguration of Kingdom | Anticipated Davidic rule (Isa. 9; Dan. 7) | Fulfilled in Christ’s resurrection and reign |
In the NT, the Son enacts what the OT anticipates—salvation, kingdom, and covenant renewal.
9. Eschatological Vision and Final Consummation
| Aspect | Old Testament Vision | New Testament Fulfilment |
|---|---|---|
| Messianic King | Psalm 2; Daniel 7 – Reigning Son | Christ ascended and enthroned (Acts 2:36) |
| Judgement and Justice | Anticipated in prophetic literature | Jesus returns as Judge (Matt. 25:31–46; Rev. 19) |
| Universal Worship | Isaiah 45:23 – Every knee shall bow | Fulfilled in Phil. 2:10–11; Rev. 5:13 |
Both Testaments end with the Son enthroned, receiving worship and ruling eternally.
10. Conclusion
The Son—Jesus Christ—is the unifying person of Scripture. In the Old Testament, He is foreseen, foreshadowed, and present in mystery. In the New Testament, He is revealed, embodied, and enthroned. The unity of Scripture hinges upon the progressive unveiling of the Son as eternally divine, historically incarnate, and cosmically victorious. This parallel study affirms that the Son is central to redemptive history, from Genesis to Revelation.
11. References
- Kaiser, W. C. (1995). The Messiah in the Old Testament. Zondervan.
- Beale, G. K. (2011). A New Testament Biblical Theology. Baker Academic.
- Bauckham, R. (2008). Jesus and the God of Israel. Eerdmans.
- Wright, N. T. (2003). The Resurrection of the Son of God. SPCK.
- Carson, D. A. (1991). The Gospel According to John. Eerdmans.
- Goldsworthy, G. (1991). According to Plan. IVP.
- NIV, ESV, NRSV translations consulted.
Would you like to proceed with The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament next, continuing the parallel study format for the Trinity?