The Old Testament contains various “types” of Christ – people who reflected what the Messiah would be like, but I think the one person who foreshadowed Jesus that is familiar to most of us was Joseph, the son of Jacob. Here is a list of similarities:
| Similarities | Joseph | Jesus |
| Both are first-born. | Genesis 30:22-24 (of Rachel) | Matthew 1:25 (of Mary) |
| Both are shepherds. | Genesis 37:2 | Matthew 2:26, 26:31 John 10:11 |
| Both are the most loved of their fathers. | Genesis 37:3 | Matthew 3:17, 12:18 |
| Both were prophecied to be rulers. | Genesis 37:5-11 | Daniel 7:13-14 Micah 4:7,5:2 Psalm 2 |
| Both Joseph’s and Jesus’ brothers were jealous of them, and did not believe them. | Genesis 37:4-5, 11 | John 7:3-5, 15:18-19 |
| The prophecies that Joseph would rule his brothers (the tribes of Israel), and Jesus would rule the whole world. | Genesis 37:6-11 | Daniel 7:13-14 |
| Joseph was sent by his father to his brothers. Jesus was sent by His Father to Israel. | Genesis 37:13,18-20 | Matthew 21:37-38, Mark 12:6-7, Luke 20:13-15, John 5:23 |
| Both were stripped of their coat. | Genesis 37:23 | John 19:23 |
| The coat was dipped in blood. | Genesis 37:31 | Revelation 19:13 |
| Both were sold by one of the 12 named Judah (Greek ‘Judas’). | Genesis 37:26-27 | Matthew 26:15, 27:9 |
| Joseph was apparently put to death by a wild animal according to his brothers, and Jesus truly, by their own people to get them out of the way. | Genesis 37:18-28 | Acts 2:22-23 |
| Reuben wanted to rescue Joseph. Pilate wanted to rescue Jesus. | Genesis 37:21-22 | Matthew 27:24 |
| Joseph was sold as a slave to Egypt. Jesus was betrayed for the price of a slave. | Genesis 37:26-28 | Matthew 26:15, Exodus 21:32, Zechariah 11:12-13 |
| Both went to Egypt. | Genesis 37:28 | Matthew 2:13-15 |
| Both were made slaves (servant). | Genesis 39:1 | Philippians 2:7 |
| Both were falsely accused… | Genesis 39:11-20 | Matthew 26:59-61 |
| …and punished. | Genesis 39:20 | Matthew 27:35 |
| Yahweh was with them both. | Genesis 39:3,21,23 Acts 7:9 | Acts 10:38 Luke 2:52 John 1:1-2, 3:2 |
| Both were with two others condemned to die, one of which was pardoned and given life. | Genesis 40:1-3,20-22 | Luke 23:32,39-43 |
| Both declared what was needed to save life. | Genesis 41:33 | John 5:54 John 6:35 |
| God’s Spirit indwelt them both. | Genesis 41:38 | Luke 4:1 Acts 10:38 |
| The king of Egypt exalted Joseph out of slavery to be ruler over all to bring all under the king’s rule. Jesus is exalted out of slavery to bring all under God’s rule. | Genesis 41:40-44 | Acts 2:32-33 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 Philippians 2:5-11 |
| All knees bowed to Joseph. All knees will bow to Jesus. | Genesis 41:43 | Philippians 2:10 |
| Both were given a name meaning Savior. | Genesis 41:45 (“Savior of the World” or “Sustainer of Life”) | Matthew 1:21 (“Yahweh is Salvation”) |
| Both were given a gentile bride by the King. | Genesis 41:45 | 2 Corinthians 11:2 |
| The king of Egypt appointed Joseph to be the sole source of life for all. God appointed Jesus to be our sole source of eternal life. | Genesis 41:55-57 | Acts 4:12 1 John 5:11-12 |
| Joseph was 30 years old when he started working for Pharoah. Jesus was about 30 years old when He began His ministry. | Genesis 41:46 | Luke 3:23 |
| Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him. Jesus’ own people didn’t either. | Genesis 42:7-8 | John 1:10 |
| Both offer forgiveness to those who sought to destroy them. | Genesis 45:5, 50:17-21 | Luke 23:34, Acts 5:31 |
| The evil Joseph’s brothers intended God meant for good to save them. The same is true of the evil Jesus’ own people intended to him… | Genesis 45:5-8 Genesis 50:20 | Acts 3:12-18 |
| …therefore they are forgiven. | Genesis 45:5,10-15 | Luke 23:34 |
| Joseph’s brothers shared Pharaoh’s favor because of Joseph, not themselves. We share God’s favor because of Jesus, not because we are worthy. | Genesis 45:16-20 | Ephesians 2:4-8 Philippians 4:19 |
| Both are Savior | Genesis 47:25 | Acts 13:23 |
| Joseph’s sons (Manasseh and Ephriam) come through his gentile wife and are given full tribe status. All people (Jews and Gentiles) who believe are considered full members of God’s people. | Genesis 48:5,9 | Hebrews 2:13 (Isaiah 8:18) Acts 28:28 |
| While only Jesus was truly sinless, Joseph is one of the few people significantly written about in the Bible of which his sins are not mentioned. | (silent). Although the Bible tells us that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. | 1 Peter 2:22 |