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Joseph & Jesus
All aspects compiled by Ronald Gordon
Uncanny spiritual parallels between their lives have fascinated biblical readers for many years. Were these elements meant to exist? Is God showing us these comparisons for a reason? Are these parallels only the result of mere coincidence? Regardless of what you choose to believe, these parallels make for enjoyable reading and spiritual illumination.
Parallel Activity | Joseph | Jesus |
He was the favorite son of a wealthy father | Gen. 37:3 | Matt. 3:17 |
He was a shepherd | Gen. 37:2 | John 10:11-14 |
He was taken into Egypt to avoid being killed | Gen. 37:28 | Matt. 2:13 |
He became a servant | Gen. 39:4 | Phil. 2:7 |
He began his ministry at the age of thirty | Gen. 41:46 | Luke 3:23 |
He was filled with the Spirit of God | Gen. 41:38 | Luke 4:1 |
He returned good for evil | Gen.50:20 | Matt. 5:44 |
He was humble and unspoiled by wealth | Gen. 45:7-8 | John 13:12 |
He was taught by God | Gen. 41:16 | John 5:19 |
He loved people freely | Gen. 45:15 | John 13:34 |
He gained the confidence of others quickly | Gen. 39:3 | Matt. 8:8 |
He gave bread to hungry people that came to him | Gen. 41:57 | Mark 6:41 |
He resisted the most difficult temptations | Gen. 39:8-9 | Heb. 4:15 |
He was given vision into the future | Gen. 37:6 | Matt. 24:3 |
He tested people to reveal their true nature | Gen. 42:25 | Mark 11:30 |
He was hated for his teachings | Gen. 37:8 | John 7:7 |
He was sold for the price of a slave | Gen. 37:28 | Matt. 26:15 |
He was falsely accused | Gen. 39:14 | Mark 14:56 |
He was silent before his accuser | Gen. 39:20 | Mark 15:4 |
He was condemned between two prisoners | Gen. 40:2-3 | Luke 23:32 |
He was dead before his father | Gen. 37:33 | Luke 23:46 |
He was held for two, and was free on the third | Gen. 41:1 | Luke 9:22 |
He married a Gentile bride | Gen. 41:45 | Luke 2:32, John 10:16 |
He arose into a new life | Gen. 41:41 | Mark 16:6 |
He was not recognized by his own brethren | Gen. 42.8 | Luke 24:37 |
He returned to his father | Gen. 46:29 | Mark 16:19 |
He became a lord / Lord | Gen. 45:8 | Rev. 19:16 |
The name of Jesus’ earthly father was Joseph
The name of Jesus’ chief accuser was Joseph ben Caiaphas
The name of the man who buried Jesus was Joseph of Arimathaea
The compiler of this comparison is Ronald Joseph Gordon
“This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt.” - Proverbs 17:22
“Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you.” - 1 Corinthians 1:6