“For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.’ ” 1 Corinthians 1:18, 19 (NAS)
The apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah as he is reminding the Corinthians just who it was who suffered and died for them- Jesus Christ – not Paul, Apollos, or Cephas (Peter); and how He died, by means of crucifixion.
“What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; just as it is written, ‘God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes to see not and ears to hear not, Down to this very day.’ ” Romans 11:7-8 (NAS)
As the inspired apostle is communicating to the Roman church God’s choice (Rom. 11:5) of His people under the New Covenant, the Spirit moves Paul to quote from the Pentateuch, particularly the scroll of Deuteronomy.
“Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18 (NAS)
The apostle Paul, while continuing to contend for the souls of the brethren in Corinth being influenced by the false apostles among them, quotes from the prophet Isaiah.
For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” Romans 14:11 (NAS)
The apostle Paul pulls another quote from the scroll of Isaiah here in the inspired letter to the Roman church.
“And again another Scripture says, ‘They shall look on Him whom they pierced.’ ” John 19:37
As the apostle John recorded the events of the crucifixion, the Holy Spirit inspired him to record this partial quote of a verse from the book of Zechariah to confirm how the Messiah “died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” (1 Cor. 15:3b) This quote is found in Zechariah 12:10.
“But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘It was not to Me that you offered victims and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, was it, O house of Israel? You also took along the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of the god Rompha, the images which you made to worship them. I also will remove you beyond Babylon.’ ” Acts 7:42, 43 (NAS)
This quote by Steven as recorded by Luke under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, comes primarily from the book of Amos, chapter five.
“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” Ephesians 4:25
In our text above, the apostle Paul, encouraging the Ephesian brethren, draws from the deep well of the inspired exhortations of the prophet Zechariah.
“It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.” John 6:45 (NAS)
Jesus, in His great discourse at Capernaum on the true bread of life (i. e., Himself), quotes from the prophet Isaiah. The citation of the prophet’s utterance is a partial quote from Isaiah 54:13.
“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!’ ” Romans 10:15 (NAS)
The apostle Paul, here in this juncture of his inspired epistle to the Roman brethren (and us!), cites another quote from the messianic prophet of the Old Testament, Isaiah.
“And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit.” And having said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:46 (NAS)
Luke’s account of Jesus’ death is the only one that records the complete last statement made by our Lord before breathing His last, and as Matthew pens, yielding “up His spirit.” (Matt. 27:50b)