Joshua Bennett
There are several similarities between Moses and Jesus Christ that demonstrate how Moses prefigured Jesus in Catholic belief. Both were born into a Gentile-ruled culture, with Moses born under the rule of a paranoid pharaoh who ordered the murder of Israelite baby boys, and Jesus born under the rule of Herod the Great, who also ordered the murder of baby boys. Both Moses and Jesus were also born into perilous times and narrowly escaped death. Both were sent by God, and both were mediators of God's covenants with Israel. Moses and Jesus were also similar in that they were both royal, and both led their people out of captivity and slavery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Both were Jewish | Moses was born into a Gentile-ruled culture, while Jesus was born of a virgin. |
| Both were royal | Moses was adopted into the Egyptian royal family, while Jesus is the Son of God, the King of all creation. |
| Both were sent by God | Moses was sent to save his people from the waters of the Red Sea and lead them to the Promised Land, while Jesus was sent to save humanity from sin. |
| Both were mediators of God's covenants with Israel | Moses mediated the Old Covenant, while Jesus mediated the New Covenant. |
| Both were sent to people who rejected them | Moses led a rebellious people, while Jesus was sent to a people who did not receive or listen to him. |
| Both were deliverers | Moses was a liberator, while Jesus is the ultimate Deliverer who saves people from the slavery of sin. |
| Both were meek | Moses was known for his meekness, as was Jesus. |
| Both performed miracles | Moses performed signs and miracles, as did Jesus. |
| Both gave laws to live by | Moses received the 10 Commandments from God, while Jesus gave commandments for his followers to obey. |
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What You'll Learn
Moses and Jesus both mediated covenants between God and men
Moses and Jesus, both Jewish men, were mediators of covenants between God and men. Moses mediated the Old Covenant (Exodus 34:27; Acts 7:44), while Jesus mediated the New Covenant (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:15).
The Law of Moses foreshadowed the Law of Christ, which was its completion and perfection. The Law of Moses was a tutor, preparing the people for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom. It explained God to the people and showed them what was to come. However, it was not perfect, and the New Covenant brought in greater perfection.
Both Moses and Jesus were sent by God to deliver the Israelites from captivity and slavery. Moses led the Israelites out of physical bondage and slavery in Egypt, while Jesus, with even greater power, led God's elect out of spiritual bondance and slavery to sin. Moses offered his life in exchange for sinners, foreshadowing how Jesus would lay down his life for the salvation of humanity.
Moses and Jesus also shared similarities in their ministries. Both were sent by God, described as Israel's deliverers, and validated their ministries with miracles. They both had ministries of intercession and led their people out of slavery.
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Both were sent to people who rejected them
Moses and Jesus were both sent to people who, by and large, rejected them and did not listen. Moses led a rebellious people, as described in Psalm 78:17–55, Deuteronomy 9:6, 13, 27, and Acts 7:39. The Israelites tested God and rebelled against Moses numerous times, as described in Numbers 14:1–4, 21–23, and 16:1–3.
Likewise, Jesus was sent to a people who "did not receive him" (John 1:11), besmirched his character (Matthew 12:24), and eventually killed him (Matthew 27:22–26).
Moses had to suffer the opposition of those he was sent to save, and by this means, God showed him to be like their Saviour, an image of Jesus Christ. Moses himself recognised that he was not accepted by his people, as described in Acts 7:25: "He supposed that his brethren understood that God was giving them deliverance by his hand, but they did not understand".
Moses and Jesus were both mediators of God's covenants with Israel. Moses mediated the Old Covenant (Exodus 34:27; Acts 7:44), while Jesus mediated the New Covenant (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:15).
The Law of Moses was a tutor or schoolmaster to prepare the people for Christ and His eternal kingdom (Galatians 3:19,21,24). It explained God to the people, leading the way and showing them what was to come. The Law of Moses did not get the Jews to heaven, but it led them to Christ.
Both Moses and Jesus were sent by God to deliver and lead his people. Both were rejected by those they came to save, and both ultimately brought salvation to God's people.
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They were both royal
Moses and Jesus were both born into royalty. Moses was the biological son of oppressed Hebrew parents, but he was adopted into the royal family of Egypt. Pharaoh's daughter found Moses in the Nile and raised him as her own child. Jesus, on the other hand, is the Son of God, the King of all creation. He is also referred to as the Son of the Most High.
Moses was a prince of Egypt, and Jesus is often referred to as a prince as well, specifically the Prince of Peace and the Prince of Life. Both Moses and Jesus were born during perilous times and narrowly escaped a king bent on murdering babies. The pharaoh at the time of Moses' birth ordered the murder of Israelite baby boys out of fear that the Israelites might cause him political and military harm. Similarly, King Herod ordered the murder of baby boys in Bethlehem because he felt threatened by the birth of Jesus, the King of the Jews.
Moses and Jesus both had a connection to Egypt. Moses grew up in the Egyptian court and later returned to Egypt to free his people from slavery. Jesus, as a child, was taken to Egypt by Joseph and Mary to escape Herod's plot to kill him.
Both Moses and Jesus were sent by God to deliver their people from oppression and lead them out of captivity. Moses led the Israelites out of physical bondage and slavery in Egypt, while Jesus, with even greater power, led God's elect out of spiritual bondage and slavery to sin.
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Moses' life was saved by the Pharaoh's daughter, prefiguring Jesus' Resurrection
Moses' life was saved by the Pharaoh's daughter, who took him in as her own child. This prefigures Jesus' Resurrection in that it demonstrates God's power to save and liberate his people, foreshadowing Christ's triumph over death.
The story of Moses being saved by the Pharaoh's daughter is found in Exodus 2:5-10. Pharaoh, fearing the growing number of Hebrew males, ordered the killing of all Hebrew boys. Moses' mother, in an attempt to save her son, placed him in a basket and set him afloat on the Nile River. The Pharaoh's daughter discovered the basket and decided to adopt Moses, raising him as her own. This act of salvation not only spared Moses' life but also set him on a path to eventually lead his people out of Egypt and towards the Promised Land.
Similarly, Jesus' Resurrection serves as the ultimate act of salvation for all humanity. Through his death and Resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, offering eternal life to those who believe in him. Just as Moses was saved from physical death and led the Israelites to freedom, Jesus offers spiritual liberation and a path to eternal life.
Both Moses and Jesus were sent by God to deliver his people. Moses, as a mediator and lawgiver, led the Israelites out of physical bondage in Egypt. Jesus, as the mediator of the New Covenant, offers spiritual liberation from sin and a new relationship with God. The salvation of Moses by the Pharaoh's daughter foreshadows Jesus' Resurrection, as both events highlight God's power to overcome adversity and bring salvation to his people.
Additionally, Moses' rescue by the Pharaoh's daughter can be seen as a symbol of God's providential care and protection. Despite being born into a hostile environment, Moses was spared and raised in the royal household. This mirrors Jesus' divine protection and preservation, even amidst threats to his life by King Herod, who ordered the killing of infant boys in an attempt to eliminate Jesus (Matthew 2:16-18).
The life of Moses, including his rescue by the Pharaoh's daughter, serves as a prefiguration of Jesus' life and ministry. Both figures share similarities in their roles as liberators, mediators, and saviours of God's people. The Resurrection of Jesus, like Moses' salvation, demonstrates God's power to overcome death and bring eternal life to those who follow him.
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Moses and Jesus were both sent by God and validated their ministries with miracles
Moses and Jesus share many similarities, and Moses is seen as a foreshadow or prefigure of Christ. Both were sent by God and validated their ministries with miracles.
Moses was born into a Gentile-ruled culture, under the rule of a paranoid Pharaoh who ordered the murder of Israelite baby boys. Moses was spared and adopted into the royal family of Egypt. God delivered him from the Nile to show the chosen people that he was their liberator. Moses was a prophet and a lawgiver, and he led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He offered his life for the salvation of his people and performed miracles, including parting the Red Sea to save his people and leading them to the Promised Land.
Jesus, the Son of God, was born into a Gentile-ruled culture under King Herod, who also ordered the murder of babies. Jesus was sent by God and validated his ministry with miracles, such as turning water into wine and healing the sick. Like Moses, Jesus was a prophet who spoke the Word of God and gave commandments for his followers. He was also a deliverer, leading God's people out of spiritual bondage and slavery to sin.
Both Moses and Jesus mediated covenants between God and men. Moses mediated the Old Covenant, while Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant, which completes and fulfils the Law of Moses. Both were rejected by their people, but Moses was eventually accepted as a leader, and it is believed that Jesus will also be accepted as Messiah upon his return.
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Frequently asked questions
Moses and Jesus were both mediators of God's covenants with Israel. Moses mediated the Old Covenant (Exodus 34:27; Acts 7:44), and Jesus mediated the New Covenant (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:15).
Moses and Jesus were both born into a Gentile-ruled culture and faced the threat of infanticide from a paranoid ruler. Moses was born in Egypt at a time when the Pharaoh ordered the murder of Israelite baby boys (Exodus 1:8, 15-16). Similarly, Jesus was born in Bethlehem during a time when King Herod ordered the murder of baby boys (Matthew 2:16-18).
Moses made a prophecy about a prophet like himself who would rise among the Israelites and be worthy of obedience (Deuteronomy 18:15). John the Baptist confirmed that he was not this prophet but pointed to Jesus as the awaited Messiah (John 1:29-31). Peter also affirmed that Jesus is the prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22).
Moses and Jesus both faced opposition and rejection from their people. Moses led a rebellious group (Psalm 78:17-55; Deuteronomy 9:6, 13, 27; Acts 7:39), and Jesus was sent to a people who "did not receive him" (John 1:11) and eventually killed him (Matthew 27:22-26). Despite this rejection, both Moses and Jesus persevered in their missions to save their people.
Moses offered his life in exchange for sinners (Exodus 32:32), foreshadowing Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. Jesus laid down his life for others, demonstrating his love and fulfilling Moses' words: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:13).
