Question: I don't always understand how the New Testament authors recognized something in the Old Testament as a prophecy. How did they make these connections?
Answer: This is a GREAT question. We do not always, at first glance, understand how the Old Testament authors view various Scriptures as prophecy because we do not understand how the Bible can be interpreted thematically. Let's discuss this below.

One of the most confusing things about reading the Bible is noticing how the New Testament authors quote the Old Testament. Sometimes they seem to apply passages in ways that feel surprising or even out of context. For modern readers trained to look for a single, literal fulfillment, this can be puzzling.

Biblical scholar Michael Heiser spent much of his career explaining that the apostles were not misusing Scripture. Instead, they were reading the Old Testament the same way Jewish interpreters of their time did through patterns, themes, and theological trajectories that ultimately pointed to Jesus.

Understanding this approach helps us see that the New Testament writers were not inventing new meanings. They were recognizing how the Old Testament story finds its fulfillment in Christ.

Though I may not agree with everything Dr. Heiser taught, it is important to realize he was a distinguished Old Testament scholar. Let's break down some of what Dr. Heiser taught:

1. Prophecy Is Often Fulfilled in Patterns, Not Just Predictions

Many Christians think of prophecy as a simple prediction-fulfillment formula. But the New Testament writers frequently saw prophecy fulfilled through patterns or typology.

Example: Hosea 11:1 and Jesus

Old Testament Passage

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.” — Hosea 11:1

In context, this verse refers to Israel’s exodus from Egypt, not a future Messiah.

Yet Matthew writes:

“This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’” — Matthew 2:15

At first glance, this seems strange. Hosea wasn’t predicting Jesus.

According to Heiser, Matthew is recognizing a pattern.

• Israel was God’s “son.”
• Israel came out of Egypt.
• Jesus represents the true and faithful Son.
• Jesus also comes out of Egypt.

Matthew is showing that Jesus recapitulates the story of Israel. The Messiah succeeds where Israel failed.

This is not a misinterpretation of the text, but a pattern of theological recognition.

2. The New Testament Sees Jesus as the True Israel

The apostles often read Old Testament passages about Israel and saw their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.

Example: Isaiah’s Servant

In the book of Isaiah, the “Servant of the Lord” sometimes refers to Israel as a nation.

Yet the New Testament applies these passages directly to Christ. For example:

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight.” — Matthew 12:18 quoting Isaiah 42:1

Heiser explains that this works because Jesus is Israel's representative.

Think of it this way:

Jesus embodies the identity and mission of Israel. The New Testament authors, therefore, read these passages through the lens of Jesus fulfilling Israel’s calling.

3. The Apostles Often Use “Second-Level” Meaning

Another key insight from Heiser is that Scripture often operates on multiple levels of meaning. The original audience understood the immediate context, but God’s larger redemptive plan unfolded later.

Example: Psalm 110

Psalm 110 says:

“The LORD said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.’”

In its original context, this likely referred to a Davidic king. Yet Jesus applies it to Himself:

“If David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” — Matthew 22:45

The early Christians saw Psalm 110 as ultimately pointing to the Messiah’s divine authority. In fact, Psalm 110 becomes the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament. Heiser notes that this reflects a common Jewish interpretive method—recognizing that some passages contain future theological depth beyond their first setting.

4. Prophecy Often Works Through “Trajectory.”

The New Testament authors often followed the direction of a theme throughout Scripture rather than isolating a single verse.

Example: The Seed Promise

The Old Testament repeatedly emphasizes the coming “seed”:

• Genesis 3:15 — seed of the woman
• Genesis 12:7 — seed of Abraham
• 2 Samuel 7 — seed of David

Paul later writes:

“The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed… meaning one person, who is Christ.” — Galatians 3:16

Paul is not ignoring the plural sense of “seed.” Instead, he is showing that all the promises converge in the Messiah. Heiser explains that the apostles read Scripture as one unfolding story, where earlier promises build toward their climax in Jesus.

5. The New Testament Authors Assumed the Whole Story

Another important insight from Heiser is that the apostles expected readers to be familiar with the broader Old Testament narrative. When they quote a verse, they often mean the whole passage behind it.

Example: Joel 2 and Pentecost

At Pentecost, Peter says:

“This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.” — Acts 2:16

Joel’s prophecy includes:

• the outpouring of the Spirit
• cosmic signs
• The coming Day of the Lord

Peter recognizes that the last-days era has begun, even though its full completion remains in the future. This shows how prophecy can have already-and-not-yet fulfillment.

Why This Matters

Understanding how the New Testament reads the Old Testament changes the way we read the Bible. Instead of treating prophecy like isolated predictions, we begin to see the grand story of redemption unfolding across Scripture. The apostles were not twisting the Old Testament. They were revealing how it ultimately pointed to Christ.

So What Do We Do With This?

1. Read the Whole Passage, Not Just the Quoted Verse

When the New Testament quotes the Old Testament, go back and read the entire surrounding section. Often, the meaning becomes clearer.

2. Look for Patterns in the Story

Ask questions like:

• Is this event repeating something earlier in Scripture?
• Does this person represent something bigger?

Many prophecies are fulfilled through patterns and typology.

3. Follow Themes Through the Bible

Instead of isolating verses, track major themes:

• kingdom
• seed
• temple
• Son of God
• servant

4. Learn How First-Century Jews Read Scripture

Understanding the interpretive world of Jesus and the apostles helps us see why they read Scripture the way they did. Their method emphasized:

• theological patterns
• story fulfillment
• Messianic expectation

5. Let Jesus Be the Center of Your Reading

The New Testament consistently teaches that the entire Old Testament ultimately points to Christ. As Jesus Himself said:

“These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” — John 5:39

When we read the Bible through that lens, the whole story comes alive.

Bottom Line.

One of the greatest gifts of studying Scripture is discovering how beautifully the Old and New Testaments fit together. What may look confusing at first often reveals an astonishing level of depth and unity. The apostles weren’t forcing Jesus into the Old Testament. They were recognizing that He had been there all along. And when we learn to read the Bible the way they did, we begin to see the same thing.