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When the New Testament Uses the Old Testament

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As we examine the evidence, we find that when the New Testament quotes the Old Testament, it does so as authoritative. In other words, the New Testament assumes the authority of the Old.

There are over 250 quotations from Old Testament books that are found in the New Testament. Most of the books of the Old Testament are directly cited as Scripture in the New Testament. The evidence is as follows:

Genesis

Jesus cites the creation account of humanity in Genesis 1:27 as authoritative Scripture.

And he answered and said, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'” Matthew 19:4-5.

Exodus

Paul quoted the Book of Exodus 20:12.

Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise) (Ephesians 6:2).

Leviticus

Jesus cited the Mosaic law for the cleansing of a leper (Leviticus 14:2-32).

And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them (Matthew 8:4).

Numbers

The faithfulness of Moses (Numbers 12:7) is cited in the Book of Hebrews.

Now Moses was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken late (Hebrews 3:5).

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is quoted a number of times. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:13 when He was tempted by the Devil.

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only'” (Matthew 4:10).

Joshua

The writer to the Hebrews quotes the Book of Joshua 1:5 as Scripture.

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for he himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Judges

While Judges is not directly quoted as authoritative Scripture, events that are recorded in the Book of Judges are cited in the Book of Hebrews.

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets (Hebrews 11:32).

Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah are all featured in stories in the Book of Judges.

Samuel

Jesus cited the account of David and those with him eating bread on the Sabbath (1 Samuel 21:1-6).

He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread – which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests” (Matthew 12:3,4).

Citing the book of First Samuel would also include Second Samuel since they were one book in the Hebrew arrangement.

Kings

Paul cited God’s reply to Elijah1 Kings 19:18.

And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal” (Romans 11:4).

First and Second Kings were one book in Hebrew. Therefore a citation from First Kings means the entire book was cited.

Chronicles

First and Second Chronicles is one book in Hebrew. While Chronicles is not directly cited in the New Testament Jesus attests to its authority. The death of the prophet Zechariah is listed in Chronicles.

So that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar (Matthew 23:35).

This event was recorded in 2 Chronicles 24:20,21.

Job

Paul quotes Job 5:13.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness” (1 Corinthians 3:19).

Psalms

The Psalms is one of the most often quoted Old Testament books. For example, Jesus quoted the Psalms 82:6.

If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken) (John 10:35).

Proverbs

James cites Proverbs 3:34.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

Isaiah

The Book of Isaiah is quoted often in the New Testament. Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah 61:1-2 at a synagogue in Nazareth.

The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:17-19).

Jeremiah

Matthew cites a passage from Jeremiah 31:15.

Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more” (Matthew 2:17-18).

Lamentations

Matthew records an allusion to the Book of Lamentations 3:30.

They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again (Matthew 27:30).

Ezekiel

Ezekiel is alluded to on several occasions in the New Testament. Paul alluded to Ezekiel 37:27.

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16).

Daniel

Jesus identifies Daniel as one of the prophets and quotes him authoritatively (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11).

So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel – let the reader understand (Matthew 24:15).

The Twelve

The Twelve Minor Prophets were considered to be one book. The fact that one of them is cited authoritative testifies to the divine authority of all of them. However, nine out of the twelve are specifically cited as Scripture in the New Testament.

Hosea

Matthew quotes the prophet Hosea 11:1.

Where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Matthew 2:15).

Joel

On the Day of Pentecost Peter cited a passage from Joel 2:28-32.

This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel (Acts 2:16).

Amos

In Acts the Book of Amos is quoted (Amos 9:11,12).

After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things (Acts 15:16-17).

Jonah

Jesus referred to the incident of Jonah being swallowed by the large sea creature (Jonah 1).

He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:39-40).

Micah

Matthew cites Micah in the place where the Christ is to be born (Micah 5:2).

And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a Ruler who will shepherd my people Israel (Matthew 2:6).

Habakkuk

Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4.

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11).

Haggai

The writer to the Hebrews quotes Haggai (Haggai 2:6 in the Septuagint)

And his voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven” (Hebrews 12:26).

Zechariah

The Book of Zechariah is quoted on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9).

Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, Gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden” (Matthew 21:5).

Malachi

Jesus cited the necessity of the coming of Elijah (Malachi 4:5).

The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things” (Matthew 17:10-11).

The New Testament Cites All The Old Testament Books (With Four Exceptions)

All Old Testament books are quoted as authoritative works by the New Testament writers with four exceptions: Ezra/Nehemiah, Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. The absence of any quotations of these books does not speak against their canonicity.

While Ezra/Nehemiah, Esther, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes are not directly cited in the New Testament this does not mean that they were not part of Scripture. The number of books had been long- fixed before the time of Christ. This list included these four works.

Summary

We find that most the books of the Old Testament are directly cited as Holy Scripture. The fact that these books were cited demonstrates the belief of the New Testament writers that they were quoting from God’s Word. There are only four books that were not cited – Ezra/Nehemiah, Ecclesiastes, Esther, and Song of Solomon. While these other books are not directly cited in the New Testament, their inclusion in the Hebrew canon is testified to by other means.

Comments

  1. Thank you. That was a great list.
    Will copy to my notes and use it later. 🙂

  2. While the OT is quoted and authoritative the interpretation of Jews was condemned and misrepresented the Gospel message of the Old Testament. All OT saints were saved by faith in the promise(Heb.11). New Testament saints are saved by faith in the Gospel(Rev.12:11,17).

  3. And what about Ruth? Is that quoted in the New Testament or isn’t it? I know they speak about her in Matthew 1:5 but are there any quotations?

  5. Good list, but can you expand on how we can be certain that the 4 books of the OT not quoted by NT writers should be considered scripture. I don’t doubt their canonicity, but I’m not sure I would be able to explain to someone else why we believe they are scripture.

  6. God bless you brother Stefan,
    I could offer a suggestion, perhaps you may
    point out key points and teachings, what God was trying to
    Teach us through these 4 books aswell and cross
    Reference it to other teachings in the scripture.
    All 66 books have a purpose thats why God allowed
    Them all to be in our present Bible. hope that this
    Was helpful. God bless you!

    – Lover of Jesus

  7. What about 1 Tim. 3:8 which adds more detail to an OT story than what’s actually there? Likewise, what about in Jude where it talks about the archangel Michael contending w/ Satan over the body of Moses, or where it mentions the “prophecy of Enoch”? None of this is mentioned in the OT, yet they seem to be used as authoritative reference points (not entirely unlike how the OT refers to uncanonized texts, like the book of Jasher, or the chronicles of the Kings of Media & Persia). I accept in unwavering faith the canon as we have it. I’d just really like to have a reasonable answer to give to someone who might stumble over these matters (1 Pet. 3:15). Thanks for sharing!

    • The writers of the NT were writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and they knew more about ancient history than we do.

    • Zach 3:1-4 This is about restoration of Israel to his land and to the relationship with God. This is restoration of priesthood, forgiveness of sin which was possible on the bases of cattle sacrifices and so on. Joshua is to be an highest pries to represent israel in front of God. He is dressed in this dirty rag to represent the status of nation. Clothin him in clean robes represent restoration of Nation after captivity. I understand that Joshua represent there body of Moses – Israel. Because Moses was their mediator then. Like Christ is our mediator now and we are body of Christ. Satan didn’t want restoration of Israel and was against it. Satan mean an adversary or someone who withstands. He accussed Hiob and he withstand in some other places in the Bible. This I think is what Juda have in mind when speak about this querel.

      My best regards

  8. The “NT” quotes the book of Enoch as well. There are many solid books that ought to have remained in canon or ought to be recognized as sturdy sayings/stories of our fathers.

    • Summarizing from “How Did We Get the Bible?” (Barbour Publishing): The Hebrew scriptures – also known as the Old Testament – were written from the time period from about 1400 BC through around 400 BC, when the prophet Malachi recorded his book. By the time of Jesus’ birth, the canon of Hebrew scripture was pretty much decided. About AD 90, Jewish elders met at the council at Jamnia (in Judea, near the Mediterranean coast) and affirmed the Hebrew canon, at the same time rejecting the books of the Aprocrypha (circulated between 400 BC and the birth of Christ) as scripture (included in some Roman Catholic Bibles). The New Testament quotes the Old Testament many times, but never mentions anything from the Apocryphal books.

      By the end of the first century of the Christian era, every book of what would later be known as the New Testament was completed. At least 8 different people (depending on who wrote Hebrews) received the God-given words they recorded for the various churches and individuals to whom they ministered.

      Though the canon of scripture was not officially recognized until the fourth century AD, the early church recognized the authenticity of certain letters and books far earlier than that. During the first few centuries of Christianity, the church had several criteria for recognizing a writing as being truly inspired. Some of these criteria applied to the writers themselves (for example, was the writer recognized as a true prophet of God whose authority was confirmed by the presence of miracles?), and some applied to the writing itself (for example, does the writing tell the absolute truth about God, and without contradiction or deceit?). All of the books the church used and recognized as inspired during those early years met those criteria.

      The process of canonizing the New Testament books began during the times of the apostles, some of whom recognized one another’s writings as inspired, and therefore scriptural (Paul quoting Luke’s writings – 1 Timothy 5:18, Luke 10:7, and Peter’s writings acknowledging Paul’s writings – 2 Peter 3:16).

      The process of acknowledging the canon of New Testament scripture continued during the time of the early church fathers – between the first and third centuries AD (Clement, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Irenaeus, Hippolytus of Rome).

      By the beginning of the 4th century, most of the books now in the New Testament had long been treated as scripture. But a few books still required further examination and approval before they could be declared a part of the canon.

      Around AD 363, approximately 31 Christian leaders from Asia Minor met at the Council of Laodicea. The process of adopting the canon included putting each “questionable” book through rigorous questioning. Here is the essence of each question: (1) Is the book’s author a true apostle or closely connected to one or more of the apostles?, (2) Does the body of Christ at large accept the book as inspired?, (3) Is the book consistent with accepted Christian doctrine?, (4) Does the book’s content reflect the high moral and spiritual principles that would reflect a work of the Holy Spirit?

      At the time of the councils that acknowledged the 27 books of the New Testament as part of the canon of scripture, there were countless “Gospels,” letters, and other manuscripts making their way around the region. Many of those books were rejected because they were written too late, and many others didn’t make it because they contained erroneous or heretical teaching, or because their authorship was in question. Here are just a few of the better-known examples of books that did not make the cut: The Gospel of Thomas, The Gospel of Mary, The Gospel of Judas, The Apocalypse of Peter.

      • Thank you Ken, a lot to digest. I do have some questions, who were these Christian Leaders of “Around AD 363, approximately 31 Christian leaders from Asia Minor met at the Council of Laodicea.”? Was this the time period of Emperor Constantine? And I have heard of the Council of Nicene. Is this a separate time and place?
        J.