As shown in Part 1, there is reason to think Jesus was largely based on the characters of Elijah and Elisha found in the books of Kings. Following is evidence of common themes found throughout the Old Testament that I believe strengthens the case that writers of the New Testament mined the Old Testament for ideas when creating the character of Jesus.
1. DIVINE BIRTH I
Old story: An angel told Samson’s mother she’d have a son (would save people from Philistines) (Jg 13:2)
New story: An angel told Jesus’ mother she’d have a son (would save people from sin) (Lk 1:30)
2. DIVINE BIRTH II
Old story: An angel told Hagar she’d have a son and what to name him (Gn 30:22)
New story: An angel told Joseph he’d have a son and what to name him (Mt 1:20-21)
3. DIVINE BIRTH III
Old story: Hannah, who could not have children, was publicly disgraced and desperate for a son, but the Lord answered her prayer with Samuel who was dedicated to God (1Sm 1:9-28)
New story: Elizabeth, who could not have children, was publicly disgraced and desperate for a son, but the Lord answered her prayer with John the Baptist who was dedicated to God (Mt 1:20-21)
3. BRIGHT STAR
Old story: A King is promised to arise from Israel and is likened to a bright star (Nu 24:17)
New story: Men see a star arise and ask to see the baby born to be king of the Jews (Mt 1:18)
4. WONDER WOMB
Old story: Joseph was a miracle baby (Gn 30:22)
New story: Jesus was a miracle baby (Mt 1:18)
5. JOSEPH, SON OF JACOB
Old story: Joseph, son of Jacob, is righteous, receives messages from God in dreams, and goes to Egypt (Gn 37:1-10)
New story: Joseph, son of Jacob, is righteous, receives messages from God in dreams, and goes to Egypt (Mt 1:16-25)
6. LINE OF DAVID
Old story: A descendant of David is promised to rule eternally (Is 9:6-7)
New story: Jesus is said to be a descendant of David (Mt 1:6-16)
7. BETHLEHEM
Old story: David is born in Bethlehem (1S:16)
New story: Jesus is born in Bethlehem (Mt 2:1)
8. FIRST-BORN SON
Old story: God says “Israel is my first-born son.” (Ex 4:22)
New story: Jesus is called God’s “first-born Son” (Col 1:15)
9. SONG OF PRAISE
Old story: Hannah praises God after miraculous conception of son (1 Sm 2:1)
New story: Mary praises God after miraculous conception of son (Lk 1:46)
10. DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU
Old story: When the grain runs out in Egypt, Pharoah tells the Egyptians to go to Joseph and “do whatever he tells you” (Gn 41:55).
New story: When the wine runs out at the marriage feast in Cana, Mary tells the servants to go to Jesus and do “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5).
11. GLORY OF THE LORD
Old story: Isaiah writes of the shining “glory of the Lord” (Is 60)
New story: Luke writes of the shining “glory of the Lord” (Lk 2:9)
12. GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH
Old story.1: Solomon received gifts of gold and myrrh (1K 10:10)
Old story.2: Isaiah said kings shall bring gold and frankincense (Is 60:1)
Old story.3: Kings come with gifts and bow down to the king (Ps 72: 10-11)
New story: Jesus received gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Mt 2:11)
13. SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENTS
Old story: A king orders the murder of male children but Moses is saved
(Ex 1:9)
New story: A king orders the murder of male children but Jesus is saved
(Mt 2:16)
14. RETURN HOME
Old story: Moses returns to birthplace on divine command (those trying to kill him are now dead) (Ex 4:19)
New story: Jesus returns to birthplace on divine command (those trying to kill him are now dead) (Mt 2:20)
15. HOLY SPIRIT
Old story: Isaiah writes “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him...” (Is 11:2)
New story: Jesus saw “the Spirit of God” resting on him. (Mt 3:16)
16. 30 CANDLES
Old story: Joseph began his public work at age 30 (Gn 41:46)
New story: Jesus began his public work at age 30 (Lk 3:23)
17. SON OF MAN
Old story: Ezekiel is referred to as “son of man” (93 times)
New story: Jesus refers to himself as “Son of Man” (Mk 2:10)
18. SHEPHERD
Old story: Joseph was a shepherd (Gn 37:2)
New story: Jesus was a shepherd (Jn 10:11)
19. SCATTERED SHEEP
Old story: God speaks of Israel as sheep without a shepherd (Ez 34:5)
New story: Jesus saw the people as sheep without a shepherd (Mt 9:36)
20. HIGH PRIEST
Old story: A king would become a high priest forever in the “order of Melchizedek.” (Ps 110:4)
New story: Jesus became a high priest forever in the “order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 6:20)
21. WORDS FROM ON HIGH
Old story: Moses spoke to crowds about God from a mountain (Dt 5)
New story: Jesus spoke to crowds about God from a hill (Mt 5)
22. WORDS FROM ON HIGHER YET
Old story: “You are my Son: today I have become your Father” (Ps 2:7)
23. NESTING BIRDS
Old story:God tells parable of a sprout becoming a tree and sheltering birds (1S 16:14-23)
New story: Jesus tells parable of a seed becoming a tree and sheltering birds (Mt 13:32)
24. DEMON POSSESSION
Old story: David cast out an “evil spirit” (1S 16:14-23)
New story: Jesus cast out an “evil spirit” (Mk 5:8)
25. PROFITABLE BETRAYAL
Old story: Judah (& bros) made 20 pieces of silver by betraying Joseph (Gn 37:28)
New story: Judas made 30 pieces of silver by betraying Jesus (Mt 26:15)
26. MIRACULOUS HEALER
Old story: God heals the blind, deaf and lame (Is 35:5)
New story: Jesus heals the blind, deaf and lame (Mt 21:14, Mk 7:31)
27. BOAT IN A STORM
Old story: Asleep on a boat, Jonah is awakened and thrown overboard to calm a storm. (Jon 1)
New story: Asleep on a boat, Jesus is awakened and he calms a storm. (Mk 4:35)
28. EVIL GENERATION
Old story: God speaks of an “evil generation” (Dt 1:35) “crooked and perverse generation” (Dt 32:5)
New story: Jesus speaks of an “evil and adulterous generation” (Mt 21:12)
29. FIG TREE
Old story: A hungry man finds no fruit on a fig tree (Mi 7:1)
New story: A hungry Jesus finds no fruit on a fig tree (Mt 21:18)
30. PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD
Old story: A fenced vineyard produces sour grapes/murderous people (Is 5:1-7)
New story: The tenants of a fenced vineyard prove murderous (Mt 21:33-41)
31. TEMPLE “CLEANSING”
Old story: Zechariah writes of no more traders in the Lord’s house (Zec 14:21)
New story: Jesus drives out traders in the Lord’s house (Mt 21:12)
32. SHINING FACE
Old story: Moses’ face “was shining” after going up a high mountain where God spoke (Ex 34:29-35)
New story: Jesus’ face “was shining” after going up a high mountain where God spoke (Mt 17:1-10)
33. RESURRECTION / ETERNAL LIFE / HEAVEN & HELL
Old story: An angel said some will enjoy eternal life and others suffer eternal disgrace (Dn 12:1-2)
New story: Jesus said some will be sent to eternal life and others to eternal punishment (Mt 25:46)
34. THE BOOK OF LIFE
Old story: God said sinners will have their names removed from his book and be punished (Ex 32:32-34)
New story: Those whose names are not found written in the book of the living are thrown in fire (Rev 20:15)
35. FLESH-EATING WORMS
Old story: Isaiah said worms and fire await the disobedient (Isaiah 66:24)
New story: Jesus said worms and fire await the disobedient (Mk 9:48)
36. PERFECT LAMB
Old story: Moses said a flawless lamb must be killed to save people (Ex 12:5)
New story: Jesus is said to be a flawless lamb killed to save people (1 P 1:19)
37. MID-DAY NIGHT
Old story: The sky is darkened at noon (Am 8:8-9)
New story: The sky is darkened at noon (Mt 27:45)
38. ZOMBIES
Old story: The dead climb out of their graves (Ez 37:12)
New story: The dead climb out of their graves (Mt 27:52)
39. SCAPEGOAT/LAMB
Old story: A goat carried away all the sins of the people (Lv 16:28)
New story: Jesus carried away all the sins of the people (1 P 2:24)
40. SUFFERING SERVANT I
Old story:The suffering servant was silent before his accusers (Is 53:7)
New story: Jesus was silent before his accusers (Mt 27:12-14)
41. SUFFERING SERVANT II
Old story: God’s servant is beaten, insulted and spat upon (Is 50:6)
New story: Jesus is beaten, insulted and spat upon (Mt 27:30)
42. HYSSOP BRANCH
Old story: A hyssop branch was used to wipe the blood of a slain lamb on doorposts (Ex 12:22)
New story: A hyssop branch was used to lift a wine-soaked sponge to Jesus (slain lamb) (Jn 19:29)
43. GALL
Old story: A distressed man is given poisoned food (Ps 69:21)
New story: A distressed Jesus is given poisoned drink (Mt 27:34)
44. GAMBLING FOR CLOTHES
Old story: “They gamble for my clothes and divide them among themselves” (Ps 22:18)
New story: Men gamble for Jesus’ clothes and divide them among themselves (Mk 15:24)
45. ASCENSION TO HEAVEN
Old story: God goes “up to the heights”...“God will live there” (Ps 68:17-19)
New story: Jesus was taken up into heaven (Lk 24:51/ Eph 4:8 quotes Ps 68)
46. SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD
Old story: God said “sit here at my right side” (Ps 110:1)
New story: Jesus says he’ll be “sitting at the right side” of God (Mt 26:64)
47. IRON ROD
Old story: God said his son will break the nations “with an iron rod” (Ps 2:9)
New story: Jesus will rule over the nations “with a rod of iron” (Rev 19:15)
48. INTO YOUR HANDS
Old story: “Into [the LORD’S] hand I commend my spirit” (Ps 31:5)
New story: Jesus says, “Father! In your hands I place my spirit!” (Lk 23:46)
49. KING SAUL & SAUL-PAUL
Old story: On his way to arrest David (servant of God) and bring him back to Jerusalem, King Saul is overcome by the power of God, then laid naked all day and night. (I Samuel 19:18-24)
New story: On his way to arrest Christians (servants of God) and bring them back to Jerusalem, Saul-Paul is overcome by the power of God, and laid blind and helpless for three days (Acts 9:1-18)
In this case the similarity between New and Old Testament stories is overwhelming. In both cases the object was to capture the servant or servants of God and bring them back to Jerusalem. In both cases the individuals are overcome by the power of God as they approach the person or people they seek to capture.
50. DO UNTO OTHERS
Old Story: Leviticus 19:18 says “...you shall ove your neighbor as yourself.”
New Story: Jesus says “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt 22:39)
We see there was nothing unique about the Jesus character's birth being heralded by angels. Nothing unique about his mother's pregnancy being of divine intervention. Nothing unique about his healing lepers, controlling the elements, raising the dead, or feeding the multitudes. We see the source for ideas like heaven and hell, the casting out of demons, sacrificial 'lamb,'ascending to heaven, and sitting at the right hand of God. The Jesus of the bible was not a real person of history but a character who’s story was created from bits and pieces of the Old Testament.
More to come...
Evidence that Jesus is a Myth, Part 3: Indisputable OT Sources, is in progress.
1. DIVINE BIRTH I
Old story: An angel told Samson’s mother she’d have a son (would save people from Philistines) (Jg 13:2)
New story: An angel told Jesus’ mother she’d have a son (would save people from sin) (Lk 1:30)
2. DIVINE BIRTH II
Old story: An angel told Hagar she’d have a son and what to name him (Gn 30:22)
New story: An angel told Joseph he’d have a son and what to name him (Mt 1:20-21)
3. DIVINE BIRTH III
Old story: Hannah, who could not have children, was publicly disgraced and desperate for a son, but the Lord answered her prayer with Samuel who was dedicated to God (1Sm 1:9-28)
New story: Elizabeth, who could not have children, was publicly disgraced and desperate for a son, but the Lord answered her prayer with John the Baptist who was dedicated to God (Mt 1:20-21)
3. BRIGHT STAR
Old story: A King is promised to arise from Israel and is likened to a bright star (Nu 24:17)
New story: Men see a star arise and ask to see the baby born to be king of the Jews (Mt 1:18)
4. WONDER WOMB
Old story: Joseph was a miracle baby (Gn 30:22)
New story: Jesus was a miracle baby (Mt 1:18)
5. JOSEPH, SON OF JACOB
Old story: Joseph, son of Jacob, is righteous, receives messages from God in dreams, and goes to Egypt (Gn 37:1-10)
New story: Joseph, son of Jacob, is righteous, receives messages from God in dreams, and goes to Egypt (Mt 1:16-25)
6. LINE OF DAVID
Old story: A descendant of David is promised to rule eternally (Is 9:6-7)
New story: Jesus is said to be a descendant of David (Mt 1:6-16)
7. BETHLEHEM
Old story: David is born in Bethlehem (1S:16)
New story: Jesus is born in Bethlehem (Mt 2:1)
8. FIRST-BORN SON
Old story: God says “Israel is my first-born son.” (Ex 4:22)
New story: Jesus is called God’s “first-born Son” (Col 1:15)
9. SONG OF PRAISE
Old story: Hannah praises God after miraculous conception of son (1 Sm 2:1)
New story: Mary praises God after miraculous conception of son (Lk 1:46)
10. DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU
Old story: When the grain runs out in Egypt, Pharoah tells the Egyptians to go to Joseph and “do whatever he tells you” (Gn 41:55).
New story: When the wine runs out at the marriage feast in Cana, Mary tells the servants to go to Jesus and do “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5).
11. GLORY OF THE LORD
Old story: Isaiah writes of the shining “glory of the Lord” (Is 60)
New story: Luke writes of the shining “glory of the Lord” (Lk 2:9)
12. GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH
Old story.1: Solomon received gifts of gold and myrrh (1K 10:10)
Old story.2: Isaiah said kings shall bring gold and frankincense (Is 60:1)
Old story.3: Kings come with gifts and bow down to the king (Ps 72: 10-11)
New story: Jesus received gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Mt 2:11)
13. SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENTS
Old story: A king orders the murder of male children but Moses is saved
(Ex 1:9)
New story: A king orders the murder of male children but Jesus is saved
(Mt 2:16)
14. RETURN HOME
Old story: Moses returns to birthplace on divine command (those trying to kill him are now dead) (Ex 4:19)
New story: Jesus returns to birthplace on divine command (those trying to kill him are now dead) (Mt 2:20)
15. HOLY SPIRIT
Old story: Isaiah writes “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him...” (Is 11:2)
New story: Jesus saw “the Spirit of God” resting on him. (Mt 3:16)
16. 30 CANDLES
Old story: Joseph began his public work at age 30 (Gn 41:46)
New story: Jesus began his public work at age 30 (Lk 3:23)
17. SON OF MAN
Old story: Ezekiel is referred to as “son of man” (93 times)
New story: Jesus refers to himself as “Son of Man” (Mk 2:10)
18. SHEPHERD
Old story: Joseph was a shepherd (Gn 37:2)
New story: Jesus was a shepherd (Jn 10:11)
19. SCATTERED SHEEP
Old story: God speaks of Israel as sheep without a shepherd (Ez 34:5)
New story: Jesus saw the people as sheep without a shepherd (Mt 9:36)
20. HIGH PRIEST
Old story: A king would become a high priest forever in the “order of Melchizedek.” (Ps 110:4)
New story: Jesus became a high priest forever in the “order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 6:20)
21. WORDS FROM ON HIGH
Old story: Moses spoke to crowds about God from a mountain (Dt 5)
New story: Jesus spoke to crowds about God from a hill (Mt 5)
22. WORDS FROM ON HIGHER YET
Old story: “You are my Son: today I have become your Father” (Ps 2:7)
New story: A voice from the sky said “ This is my Son, whom I love...” (Mt 3:17)
23. NESTING BIRDS
Old story:God tells parable of a sprout becoming a tree and sheltering birds (1S 16:14-23)
New story: Jesus tells parable of a seed becoming a tree and sheltering birds (Mt 13:32)
24. DEMON POSSESSION
Old story: David cast out an “evil spirit” (1S 16:14-23)
New story: Jesus cast out an “evil spirit” (Mk 5:8)
25. PROFITABLE BETRAYAL
Old story: Judah (& bros) made 20 pieces of silver by betraying Joseph (Gn 37:28)
New story: Judas made 30 pieces of silver by betraying Jesus (Mt 26:15)
26. MIRACULOUS HEALER
Old story: God heals the blind, deaf and lame (Is 35:5)
New story: Jesus heals the blind, deaf and lame (Mt 21:14, Mk 7:31)
27. BOAT IN A STORM
Old story: Asleep on a boat, Jonah is awakened and thrown overboard to calm a storm. (Jon 1)
New story: Asleep on a boat, Jesus is awakened and he calms a storm. (Mk 4:35)
28. EVIL GENERATION
Old story: God speaks of an “evil generation” (Dt 1:35) “crooked and perverse generation” (Dt 32:5)
New story: Jesus speaks of an “evil and adulterous generation” (Mt 21:12)
29. FIG TREE
Old story: A hungry man finds no fruit on a fig tree (Mi 7:1)
New story: A hungry Jesus finds no fruit on a fig tree (Mt 21:18)
30. PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD
Old story: A fenced vineyard produces sour grapes/murderous people (Is 5:1-7)
New story: The tenants of a fenced vineyard prove murderous (Mt 21:33-41)
31. TEMPLE “CLEANSING”
Old story: Zechariah writes of no more traders in the Lord’s house (Zec 14:21)
New story: Jesus drives out traders in the Lord’s house (Mt 21:12)
32. SHINING FACE
Old story: Moses’ face “was shining” after going up a high mountain where God spoke (Ex 34:29-35)
New story: Jesus’ face “was shining” after going up a high mountain where God spoke (Mt 17:1-10)
33. RESURRECTION / ETERNAL LIFE / HEAVEN & HELL
Old story: An angel said some will enjoy eternal life and others suffer eternal disgrace (Dn 12:1-2)
New story: Jesus said some will be sent to eternal life and others to eternal punishment (Mt 25:46)
34. THE BOOK OF LIFE
Old story: God said sinners will have their names removed from his book and be punished (Ex 32:32-34)
New story: Those whose names are not found written in the book of the living are thrown in fire (Rev 20:15)
35. FLESH-EATING WORMS
Old story: Isaiah said worms and fire await the disobedient (Isaiah 66:24)
New story: Jesus said worms and fire await the disobedient (Mk 9:48)
36. PERFECT LAMB
Old story: Moses said a flawless lamb must be killed to save people (Ex 12:5)
New story: Jesus is said to be a flawless lamb killed to save people (1 P 1:19)
37. MID-DAY NIGHT
Old story: The sky is darkened at noon (Am 8:8-9)
New story: The sky is darkened at noon (Mt 27:45)
38. ZOMBIES
Old story: The dead climb out of their graves (Ez 37:12)
New story: The dead climb out of their graves (Mt 27:52)
39. SCAPEGOAT/LAMB
Old story: A goat carried away all the sins of the people (Lv 16:28)
New story: Jesus carried away all the sins of the people (1 P 2:24)
40. SUFFERING SERVANT I
Old story:The suffering servant was silent before his accusers (Is 53:7)
New story: Jesus was silent before his accusers (Mt 27:12-14)
41. SUFFERING SERVANT II
Old story: God’s servant is beaten, insulted and spat upon (Is 50:6)
New story: Jesus is beaten, insulted and spat upon (Mt 27:30)
42. HYSSOP BRANCH
Old story: A hyssop branch was used to wipe the blood of a slain lamb on doorposts (Ex 12:22)
New story: A hyssop branch was used to lift a wine-soaked sponge to Jesus (slain lamb) (Jn 19:29)
43. GALL
Old story: A distressed man is given poisoned food (Ps 69:21)
New story: A distressed Jesus is given poisoned drink (Mt 27:34)
44. GAMBLING FOR CLOTHES
Old story: “They gamble for my clothes and divide them among themselves” (Ps 22:18)
New story: Men gamble for Jesus’ clothes and divide them among themselves (Mk 15:24)
45. ASCENSION TO HEAVEN
Old story: God goes “up to the heights”...“God will live there” (Ps 68:17-19)
New story: Jesus was taken up into heaven (Lk 24:51/ Eph 4:8 quotes Ps 68)
46. SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD
Old story: God said “sit here at my right side” (Ps 110:1)
New story: Jesus says he’ll be “sitting at the right side” of God (Mt 26:64)
47. IRON ROD
Old story: God said his son will break the nations “with an iron rod” (Ps 2:9)
New story: Jesus will rule over the nations “with a rod of iron” (Rev 19:15)
48. INTO YOUR HANDS
Old story: “Into [the LORD’S] hand I commend my spirit” (Ps 31:5)
New story: Jesus says, “Father! In your hands I place my spirit!” (Lk 23:46)
49. KING SAUL & SAUL-PAUL
Old story: On his way to arrest David (servant of God) and bring him back to Jerusalem, King Saul is overcome by the power of God, then laid naked all day and night. (I Samuel 19:18-24)
New story: On his way to arrest Christians (servants of God) and bring them back to Jerusalem, Saul-Paul is overcome by the power of God, and laid blind and helpless for three days (Acts 9:1-18)
In this case the similarity between New and Old Testament stories is overwhelming. In both cases the object was to capture the servant or servants of God and bring them back to Jerusalem. In both cases the individuals are overcome by the power of God as they approach the person or people they seek to capture.
50. DO UNTO OTHERS
Old Story: Leviticus 19:18 says “...you shall ove your neighbor as yourself.”
New Story: Jesus says “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt 22:39)
We see there was nothing unique about the Jesus character's birth being heralded by angels. Nothing unique about his mother's pregnancy being of divine intervention. Nothing unique about his healing lepers, controlling the elements, raising the dead, or feeding the multitudes. We see the source for ideas like heaven and hell, the casting out of demons, sacrificial 'lamb,'ascending to heaven, and sitting at the right hand of God. The Jesus of the bible was not a real person of history but a character who’s story was created from bits and pieces of the Old Testament.
More to come...
Evidence that Jesus is a Myth, Part 3: Indisputable OT Sources, is in progress.
AWESOME JOB !!!
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