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ARTICLE: 20 MINUTES
The Bible quotes the Bible countless times—one person even made a chart counting 65,000 parallel passages in the Bible! The Bible is an intricately interconnected book. While that’s a nice observation, does this reality impact your life?
Yes—in three ways.
First, paying attention to the cross-references in the Bible will help you see the Bible as a unified whole.
Second, paying attention to how Scripture quotes Scripture will grow your skill in learning how to interpret the Bible.
Finally, discovering how the New Testament references the Old Testament will help you understand the Old Testament stories and law, as Jesus himself and his followers explain Scripture for you.
So see for yourself where we see Exodus in the New Testament.
Search Cross References:
Stephen Preaches from Exodus
Did you know there is a sermon in the New Testament about the events in Exodus? In Acts 7, Stephen, a disciple of Jesus, preaches to a crowd, retelling Israelite history from Genesis and Exodus. In his sermon, he directly quotes Exodus several times, and alludes to the events in Exodus.
Exodus 1:8 NIV
Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.
Acts 7:18 NIV
Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.’
Consider reading the following parallel passages:
Exodus 1:8; Acts 7:18
Exodus 2:14; Acts 7:27-28
Exodus 2:22; Acts 7:6
Exodus 3:5; Acts 7:33
Exodus 3:6; Acts 7:32
Exodus 3:7-10; Acts 7:34
Exodus 32:1; Acts 7:40
Acts 32:23; Acts 7:40
Jesus Teaches About the Resurrection
Jesus quotes Exodus 3:6 to answer a question about the resurrection. He indicates that even though Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob physically died, they are consciously in the presence of the Lord. For, all who put their trust in the God of the Bible are promised eternal life. Using Exodus 3:6, Jesus proves that God will resurrect the dead to eternal life with him. This point is so important that the Bible repeats it three times, telling the story in three of the four gospels.
Exodus 3:6 NIV
Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
Matthew 22:31-32 NIV
But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”
Exodus 3:6; Matthew 22:23-32; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40
Paul Teaches Us About God’s Mercy and Salvation
In Romans 9, the Apostle Paul uses Pharaoh as an Old Testament illustration to explain that our salvation from God’s wrath towards our sin depends entirely on the mercy of God, and not on any person’s desire for God or effort.
Exodus 9:16 NIV
But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
Romans 9:17 NIV
For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
Exodus 33:19 NIV
And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Romans 9:15 NIV
For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
Exodus 7-15; Romans 9
John Identifies Jesus as the true Passover Lamb
In the Gospel of John, the author wants us to understand that the Passover celebration points to Jesus as the true Lamb of God. Jesus takes away the sins of the world by giving up his own life for sinners (John 1:29). As John tells us about Jesus’ crucifixion, he includes the important detail that although it was customary for Roman soldiers to break the legs of crucifixion victims, they chose not to break Jesus’ bones. This was one more prophetic indication that Jesus was the true Passover lamb. For just like the lamb, not one of his bones was broken.
Exodus 12:43; 46 NIV
“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “These are the regulations for the Passover meal…It is to be eaten in a single house; you are not to bring forth any of the flesh outside of the house, nor are you to break any bone of it.
John 19:36 NIV
These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken…”
Exodus 12:43; John 19:31-37
Mary and Joseph Obey God’s Law from Exodus
We hear all over the New Testament about how Jesus was completely obedient to the law (Matthew 3:15). Even at his birth, Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, obeyed the law of the Lord by consecrating Mary’s firstborn son to God.
Exodus 13:2 NIV
“Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.”
Luke 2:22-23 NIV
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”)
Exodus 13:1-16; Luke 2:22-40
Paul Encourages the Corinthians to Give Generously
Paul encourages the Corinthian church to generously provide for their fellow Christians. He uses the story of the Israelites gathering manna in the wilderness to illustrate his point. God will supply the needs of all his people and will not leave them with any lack. God’s people will always have enough so they can be unsparingly generous to others.
Exodus 16:18 NIV
When they measured it with an omer, he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little had no lack; every man gathered as much as he should eat.
2 Corinthians 8:14-15 NIV
At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
Exodus 16; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Peter Explains Our New Identity Through Jesus
From the beginning, God has intended for those who trust in him to be his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests who help the world know God, who serve God and others, and who are totally devoted to God in their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Israel failed to carry out this identity because not all of them truly had faith. They doubted God and broke his covenant. But the apostle Peter explains in the New Testament that all who put their trust in Jesus are part of the new covenant. By believing in Jesus, we become part of God’s people, and we are given the identity God always intended for us: special, beloved, priests in God’s kingdom, who tell the world of the goodness of God.
Exodus 19:5-6 NIV
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Exodus 19-20; 1 Peter 1-2
Hebrews Tells Us How Jesus Brings Us into God’s Presence
The author of the letter to the Hebrews tells us that because Jesus is our new mediator (the one who brings us to God) we do not need to fear the presence of God any longer. In his death, Jesus the perfect sacrifice for our sins has fully paid for all our sins against God. Instead of living in fearful expectation of his judgment, those who trust in Jesus now are welcomed into the joyful presence of God and into the glory of his kingdom. In Exodus, God gave the law to his people—a law that revealed the sinfulness of their heart and need for a Savior (Rom 3:19-26). Jesus, the new Moses is our better prophet, who stands between us and God, not to declare God’s insurmountable law, but to declare God’s offer of righteousness to us, that we might accept it by faith and be welcomed into his joyful presence.
Exodus 19:12-13 NIV
Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”
Hebrews 12:18-21 NIV
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
Exodus 19-20; Hebrews 12:18-29
Paul Explains the Purpose of the Law
Paul uses one of the Ten Commandments to explain that the law exists to reveal our sin. As the apostle James says, the law is like a mirror, showing us how sinful we truly are, as it names our sin.
Exodus 20:17 NIV
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Romans 7:7 NIV
Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
Exodus 20:17; Romans 7:7-25
Paul Explains a Warning in Exodus
The apostle Paul explains to the Corinthian church that the golden calf incident in Exodus was recorded to warn us against sexual immorality, idolatry, and rebellion. This story reminds us of how quickly we may succumb to temptation.
Exodus 32:6 NIV
So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.
1 Corinthians 10:7 NIV
Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”
Exodus 32; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22
Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees for Disobeying the Law
Jesus quotes the law given to Moses in Exodus and calls it “the word of God.” He tells the Pharisees that they have ignored God’s commands in favor of their own traditions. He clearly expects them to still be obedient to the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 21:17 NIV
Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.
Mark 7:9-13 NIV
And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
Exodus 21:17; Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23
Paul Remembers an Old Testament Command
Paul rebukes Ananias the High Priest for his hypocrisy but then realizes that despite his correct accusation, God’s law tells him to respect those in positions of authority. Paul humbly acknowledges his mistake, quoting the law in Exodus.
Exodus 22:28 NIV
Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
Acts 23:5 NIV
Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”
Exodus 22:28; Acts 21:37-23:11
Hebrews Explains How the Blood of Jesus Cleanses Us From Our Sins
The Lord Jesus is the new Moses, who leads us into the presence of God. Jesus offered himself as a once-for-all sacrifice for our sins, and we are sprinkled by his blood and cleansed from our sins. Because Christ’s blood has been shed for us, we are forgiven and welcomed to enter the true sanctuary of God—heaven itself.
Exodus 24:8 NIV
Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Hebrews 9:19-21 NIV
When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies.
Exodus 24:1-8; Hebrews 9:11-28
Hebrews Explains that Exodus Gave Us a Vision of Heaven
When we open the letter to the Hebrews, we read something remarkable. The instructions for the tabernacle were an earthly model of God’s home in heaven!
Exodus 25:40 NIV
See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
Hebrews 8:5 NIV
They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
Exodus 25-31; Hebrews 8-10
Paul Tells Us We Can See the Glory of the Lord Unveiled
The apostle Paul explains that Israel could not see the glory of God in the face of Moses. This reality reflected the people’s hearts—they could not see the glory and goodness of God in the covenant God made with them which Moses brought to them. God has made a new covenant with us in Jesus. When someone turns to Jesus in faith, God removes the veil over our hearts and helps us see God’s glory in the face of Jesus.
Exodus 34:33-34 NIV
When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded…
2 Corinthians 3:13-16 NIV
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:7-4:18
The New Testament Calls Us to Keep the Ten Commandments
The New Testament repeats many of the Ten Commandments. It also helps us understand that the foundation for the Ten Commandments is love.
Romans 13:9 NIV
“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Consider reading the following parallel passages:
Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2
Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21-22
Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27-29
Exodus 20:16; Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20
Jesus Establishes a New Covenant
Jesus Christ establishes the New Covenant, which is the fulfillment of all the previous covenants in Scripture (to Abraham, Israel, and David). A covenant is when two people establish a relationship, like in marriage for example. The Old Testament tells of a new covenant between God and his people in Jeremiah 31:31, 33: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah . . . For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jesus Christ’s death on the cross establishes this new relationship (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25). The new covenant provides complete and total forgiveness for sins (Acts 13:38-39).
Through the Old Covenant, God gave Israel a law to govern their people. He instituted a legal system for his people. The Old Covenant—God’s old relationship with his people—regulated Jewish society as well as religion. When Jesus came, he established the New Covenant. Now we live free of many of the Law’s demands and are instead governed by the law of God’s Spirit dwelling with us and directing us. The new law we abide by is one of love and mercy. Matthew gives us an example of how the Old Covenant is replaced with the new—the law of justice is now replaced with a law of mercy.
Exodus 21:24 NIV
But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
Matthew 5:38-39
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
Exodus 21:24; Matthew 5:38-45
Thanks for taking the time to consider these ways we see Exodus in the New Testament!
Special thanks to Krisen Marotta at Wednesday in the Word, whose blog provided us with the list of Exodus references, according to the Creative Commons ShareAlike license.
—The Bibles.net Team