What did Jesus teach about the Old Testament?

Jesus Affirmed the Old Testament as Authoritative Scripture

What did Jesus teach about the Old Testament? Many people today do not believe in the authority of the Old Testament as scripture or as truth. However, Jesus had some quite different things to say regarding the Old Testament.

Here's a brief list of some of what Jesus taught about the Old Testament. First of all, Jesus affirmed the Old Testament as a source of authority. When confronted by Satan, Jesus appealed to the Old Testament as a source of authority by saying, It is written, numerous times, as found in Matthew chapter 4 verses 4, 7, and 10.

Also, Jesus affirmed the imperishability of the Old Testament. He says for truly I say to you until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the law until all is accomplished, as found in Matthew chapter 5 verse 18.

Jesus Taught the Old Testament Cannot Be Broken

Also, Jesus affirmed the unbreakability of the Old Testament. He says the scripture cannot be broken in John 10 35. He also affirmed that the Old Testament was a source of doctrinal authority. He appealed to scripture when confronting or correcting false doctrine, stating, you are mistaken not understanding the scriptures nor the power of God, as found in Matthew chapter 22 verse 29.

He also affirmed the truthfulness of the Old Testament. He said your word is truth in John 17 17. Jesus also affirmed the historical reliability of the Old Testament. He affirmed the historical existence of Jonah, that's found in Matthew chapter 12 verse 40.

Jesus Affirmed the Old Testament's Historical and Scientific Reliability

Also Noah, that's in Matthew 24 37 through 38, and Adam and Eve in Matthew 19 4 through 6. Jesus also reaffirmed the scientific reliability of the Old Testament. He affirmed that God created the world, that's in Mark chapter 13 verse 19, and then Matthew 19 verse 4.

He also affirmed the Old Testament's canonicity, or the fact that there was a rule or standard of books, which had some sort of authority in the Jewish community. He made reference to the law and prophets as a unit in Matthew chapter 5 verse 17, stating, do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.

I do not come to abolish, but to fulfill. Jesus explained the scriptures. In Luke chapter 24 verse 27, the text reads, then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, he explained to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures.

Jesus Referred to the Whole Canon from Genesis to Chronicles

Jesus also referred to the entire canon by mentioning all the prophets from Abel, which was the first martyr, from Genesis, which is the first book in the Hebrew Old Testament, and then to Zechariah, which is found in Chronicles, which is the last book in the Hebrew Old Testament.

So, the way the Hebrews did it, they divided their text up differently. They had 24 books. The first one was Genesis. The last was Chronicles. Now, that's equivalent to the Old Testament we have today as Christians.

So, Jesus' reference to Abel and Zechariah can be found in Matthew chapter 23 verse 35. So, there's eight instances where Jesus affirms the reliability of the Old Testament text. Now, what does this mean?

Why Jesus' View of Scripture Matters for Doctrine and Life

Since Jesus is God in flesh, performed a life of miraculous deeds, and died in the cross, and was miraculously resurrected three days later, I think what he taught on issues of doctrine are vastly important.

Since he was God in flesh, whatever he taught was true. This means that we can trust the accuracy of the Old Testament on issues of history, science, and moral instruction. Thank you.