Quotations From the Old Testament in the New

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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. 15:44For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. (Matthew 15:4)); "David himself said by the Holy Ghost" (Mark 12:3636For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Mark 12:36)); "Spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet" (Acts 28:2525And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, (Acts 28:25)); "As the Holy Ghost saith." (Heb. 3:77Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, (Hebrews 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; 27:3522Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, (Matthew 1:22)
15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. (Matthew 2:15)
14That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, (Matthew 4:14)
4All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, (Matthew 21:4)
56But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. (Matthew 26:56)
35And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. (Matthew 27:35); Mark 14:4949I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. (Mark 14:49); John 12:38;13:8; 15:25; 17:12; 18:9, 32; 19:24, 28, 3638That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? (John 12:38)
8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. (John 13:8)
25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. (John 15:25)
12While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)
9That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. (John 18:9)
32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. (John 18:32)
24They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. (John 19:24)
28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. (John 19:28)
36For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. (John 19:36).
2. So that (ὅπως) it might be fulfilled. Matt. 1:23; 8:17; 7:17; 13:3523Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)
17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (Matthew 8:17)
17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Matthew 7:17)
35That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. (Matthew 13:35).
3. Then (τοτε) was fulfilled. Matt. 2:17; 27:917Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, (Matthew 2:17)
9Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; (Matthew 27:9).
4. Was fulfilled. Mark 15:2828And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. (Mark 15:28).
5. This day is fulfilled. Luke 4:2121And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (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. 15:2727For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. (1 Corinthians 15:27) in reference to Christ in resurrection; also in Heb. 2:6-86But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. (Hebrews 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. 1:22,22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (Ephesians 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. 2:44Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4) is quoted in Rom. 1:17,17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17) where it is a question of righteousness: "The just shall live by faith." Again in Gal. 3:22This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Galatians 3:2) where it is in contrast to the law: "The just shall live by faith." Again in Heb. 10:38,38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 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.