The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by over 40 authors over a span of 1500 years. It contains many different genres and styles of writing, yet has one overarching story and message – God’s redemption plan for humanity through his son Jesus Christ.
So is Jesus, the Messiah, present in some way in every book of the Bible? The short answer is yes! Here is a high-level overview of how Jesus is foreshadowed, prophesied, or proclaimed in every book of the Bible:
Old Testament
Genesis – God promises that the seed of woman will crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15), pointing to Jesus’ future victory over sin and death.
Exodus – The Passover lamb (Exodus 12) is a foreshadowing of Christ as the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The pillar of cloud and fire that guides Israel (Exodus 13:21-22) points to God’s guidance through Christ.
Leviticus – The sacrificial system establishes the need for atonement for sin and foreshadows Christ’s ultimate sacrifice as the perfect high priest and spotless lamb (Hebrews 9).
Numbers – Moses lifts up the bronze serpent and all who look upon it are healed (Numbers 21), pointing to salvation through looking to Christ (John 3:14-15).
Deuteronomy – Moses predicts that God will raise up a prophet like himself (Deuteronomy 18:15), which is fulfilled in Christ.
Joshua – Joshua leads Israel into the Promised Land, but only Jesus provides the true rest and heavenly Promised Land (Hebrews 4).
Judges – The judges who deliver Israel point to the need for the true Deliverer, Jesus, who ultimately saves his people.
Ruth – The kinsman-redeemer Boaz (Ruth 4) points to Christ the Redeemer who buys back his bride the Church.
1&2 Samuel – The prophet, priest, and king roles of the Old Testament point to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ as the perfect prophet, priest and king.
1&2 Kings – God promises that one of David’s descendants will reign forever (2 Samuel 7), which is fulfilled in Christ the eternal king.
1&2 Chronicles – The extensive genealogies point to Jesus being the goal and fulfillment of Israel’s history as the offspring of David (Matthew 1).
Ezra & Nehemiah – The rebuilding of the temple foreshadows Jesus establishing the spiritual temple of his body (John 2:19-21).
Esther – Esther risks her life to save her people, pointing to Christ the Savior who delivers his people.
Job – Job says he knows his Redeemer lives (Job 19:25); that Redeemer is Jesus.
Psalms – Many psalms prophetically describe Christ’s life, death, resurrection, exaltation (Psalm 16, 22, 69, 110).
Proverbs – Wisdom described as the first creation of God (Proverbs 8) points to Christ, the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
Ecclesiastes – The meaninglessness of life without God points to the need for eternal life through Christ.
Song of Songs – The passionate love between the bridegroom and bride points to Christ’s love for his bride, the Church.
Isaiah – A major messianic book, Isaiah prophesies details of Christ’s birth, ministry, death, and second coming.
Jeremiah – Jeremiah prophesies the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) that Jesus inaugurates at the Last Supper (Luke 22:20).
Lamentations – Jeremiah’s grief over Jerusalem points to Jesus weeping over the city that rejected him (Luke 19:41-44).
Ezekiel – The vision of the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37) points to spiritual resurrection through Christ.
Daniel – Daniel prophesies the coming of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14) and the timing of the Messiah’s coming and death (Daniel 9:24-26).
Hosea – Hosea’s restoration of his unfaithful wife Gomer (Hosea 3) points to Christ’s redeeming love for a wayward people.
Joel – Joel prophesies that God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28-29), as fulfilled at Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension.
Amos – Amos speaks of raising up the fallen tabernacle of David (Amos 9:11), pointing to Christ’s resurrection and reign.
Obadiah – The impending judgment against Edom points to the ultimate judgment and reward at Christ’s return.
Jonah – Jonah spending three days in the belly of the great fish (Jonah 1:17) foreshadows Christ’s three days in the grave before his resurrection.
Micah – Micah prophesies the Messiah being born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), as fulfilled by Christ’s birth.
Nahum – The impending fall of evil Nineveh points to final judgment and justice through Christ.
Habakkuk – Habakkuk declares the righteous will live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4), as quoted in the New Testament with respect to Christ (Romans 1:17).
Zephaniah – The declaration of coming judgment gives way to hope in God’s love and restoration in Christ.
Haggai – The rebuilding of God’s temple finds its full meaning in Christ establishing the Church as God’s dwelling.
Zechariah – Zechariah prophesies Christ’s triumphal entry (Zechariah 9:9), rejection (11:12-13), and being pierced (12:10).
Malachi – Malachi foretells the coming of God’s messenger to prepare the way (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6), as accomplished by John the Baptist preceding Jesus.
New Testament
The New Testament makes clear, explicit revelation of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and foreshadowing. Here is a brief overview:
Matthew – Presents Jesus as the Messiah, the new Moses, Son of David, and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
Mark – Depicts Jesus as the suffering servant who offers his life as a ransom for many.
Luke – Portrays Jesus as the perfect, compassionate Son of Man who seeks and saves the lost.
John – Declares Jesus as the eternal Word made flesh, Son of God, giver of eternal life.
Acts – Records the early spread of the gospel through the power of the risen Christ.
Romans – Expounds our salvation through faith in Christ’s righteousness and his propitiation for our sins.
1 Corinthians – Emphasizes that Christ is the foundation and center of our faith, life, ministry.
2 Corinthians – Declares that all God’s promises find their fulfillment in Christ.
Galatians – Explains that we are justified by faith in Christ, not works of the law.
Ephesians – Portrays the cosmic scope of redemption through the risen Christ.
Philippians – Depicts Christ’s servanthood and exaltation which we are to emulate.
Colossians – Declares the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ as creator, sustainer, redeemer.
1 Thessalonians – Speaks of the second coming of Christ and being blameless at his coming.
2 Thessalonians – Warns against being deceived about the day of the Lord and second coming of Christ.
1 Timothy – Instructs Timothy on overseers, church order, conduct, centered on the gospel of Christ.
2 Timothy – Urges endurance and faithfulness to Christ amid suffering and his word.
Titus – Guidance for church leaders on teaching sound doctrine about Christ and godly living.
Philemon – Paul appeals to Philemon to receive back Onesimus as a brother in Christ.
Hebrews – Establishes the supremacy of Christ as the perfect high priest and once-for-all sacrifice.
James – Calls believers to live out true faith in Christ through good works.
1 Peter – Exhorts Christians to endure suffering for Christ and live holy lives.
2 Peter – Warns against false teachers and points to the return of Christ.
1 John – Declares eyewitness testimony that Jesus is the incarnate Word, urges love.
2 John – Warns believers to avoid those who deny Christ and doctrine about him.
3 John – Commends faithfulness and warns against pride as we abide in Christ.
Jude – Urges contending for the faith delivered once for all through Christ.
Revelation – Records apocalyptic visions of Christ’s final victory, new creation, and his unending reign.
In summary, from Genesis to Revelation, Jesus Christ is the thread that runs throughout the entire Bible. He is proclaimed, foretold, predicted, prefigured, pictured, and portrayed in each book, whether implicitly or explicitly. While each book has its own themes and literary style, the person and work of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, is its unifying message and culmination. The Bible is ultimately the story of God’s redemption plan through his Son for the salvation of the world.
