These quotations are important inasmuch as they show that God is the Author of the whole Bible. The quotations are not found simply in one or two books of the New Testament, but run through the whole; nor are the quotations from one division of the Old Testament only, but are from the books of Moses, from the Psalms, and from the Prophets.
The way in which some of the quotations are introduced, and at times from the lips of the Lord Jesus, stamps the writings of the Old Testament as inspired of God. Constantly the words are "It is written," not simply as what Moses or one of the prophets had written, but as being of authority as part of God's word, and in other places are called ‘the scriptures,' as we say of an Act of Parliament, "It is enacted." At times it is "God commanded (Matt. 15:4); "David himself said by the Holy Ghost" (Mark 12:36); "Spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet" (Acts 28:25); "As the Holy Ghost saith." (Heb. 3:7.) Words cannot more plainly show how the Old Testament was viewed by Christ Himself and by the writers of the New Testament, they being also inspired by the Holy Ghost.
It is important to notice the way in which the prophecies of the Old Testament are quoted in the New as to their being fulfilled. The difference may not always be manifest in the Authorized Version; but there is a difference.
Some are introduced thus:
1. In order (ἵνα) that it might be fulfilled. As Matt. 1:22; 2:15; 4:14; 21:4; 26:56; 27:35; Mark 14:49; John 12:38;13:8; 15:25; 17:12; 18:9, 32; 19:24, 28, 36.
2. So that (ὅπως) it might be fulfilled. Matt. 1:23; 8:17; 7:17; 13:35.
3. Then (τοτε) was fulfilled. Matt. 2:17; 27:9.
4. Was fulfilled. Mark 15:28.
5. This day is fulfilled. Luke 4:21.
The first gives the purpose of the prophecy: an event happened in order that a particular prophecy should be fulfilled—this is the fulfillment of that prophecy.
The second falls within the scope of the prophecy, but it is not restricted to a particular time: may be true at one time, or at many different times.
The third is an occasion when the prophecy can be applied, without its being the purpose of the prophecy.
The fourth and fifth declare that the prophecy was then and there fulfilled.
A study of the above will show that the writers were led by God by the way they introduced the quotations, so that the different expressions are never confounded.
In the following quotations the readings of the Septuagint are given according to Sir C. Brenton's translation. The other two columns are the Authorized Version.
Besides the list following, there are many allusions to the Old Testament in the New, and places where the actual words are used, but which cannot be said to be quotations. For instance, Psa. 8 is quoted in 1 Cor. 15:27 in reference to Christ in resurrection; also in Heb. 2:6-8 in reference to the world to come: all things are His; but this is not seen yet. The words, "Hath put all things under his feet, occur also in Eph. 1:22, where Christ is Head over all things "to the church." The above words occur in Psa. 8 but this is not reckoned as a quotation. See also in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5) what was "said by them of old time."
Some passages in the Old Testament are quoted more than once, and at times in different connections. For instance, Hab. 2:4 is quoted in Rom. 1:17, where it is a question of righteousness: "The just shall live by faith." Again in Gal. 3:2 where it is in contrast to the law: "The just shall live by faith." Again in Heb. 10:38, where it is in contrast to drawing back: “The just shall live by faith."
The chapters and verses of the Hebrew are given according to the English version, but the chapters and verses of the Septuagint are given as in that translation.
LXX. N.T. HEB.