Read the texts together

Yahweh in the Old Testament. Jesus in the New.

The apostles take words, worship, and works belonging to Israel’s God and apply them directly to Jesus. Compare the language for yourself.

Whose way is being prepared?

Old Testament · Yahweh

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

Isaiah 40:3

New Testament · Jesus

“Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

Mark 1:2–3

Isaiah announces the coming of Yahweh. Mark places that prophecy at the opening of his Gospel, where John prepares for the arrival of Jesus.

On whose name must one call?

Old Testament · Yahweh

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered.”

Joel 2:32

New Testament · Jesus

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus… thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Romans 10:9–13

Paul quotes Joel’s promise about calling upon Yahweh immediately after identifying the confessed Lord as Jesus.

Before whom will every knee bow?

Old Testament · Yahweh

“I am God, and there is none else… That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.”

Isaiah 45:22–23

New Testament · Jesus

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Philippians 2:10–11

Isaiah’s speaker insists he alone is God. Paul applies that speaker’s universal worship to Jesus, to the glory of the Father.

Who founded the earth?

Old Testament · Yahweh

“Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands… but thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.”

Psalm 102:25–27

New Testament · Jesus

“But unto the Son he saith… Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands.”

Hebrews 1:8, 10–12

Hebrews introduces the quotation as the Father speaking to the Son, then addresses the Son with a psalm about Yahweh the unchanging Creator.

Who was pierced?

Old Testament · Yahweh

“And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son.”

Zechariah 12:10

New Testament · Jesus

“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side… And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.”

John 19:34–37

Zechariah records Yahweh speaking in the first person. John sees that text fulfilled when the crucified Jesus is pierced.

The recurring pattern

This is not one ambiguous verse.

Across different authors and contexts, the New Testament repeatedly places Jesus within the identity and work of Yahweh.

Read the complete argument