The simple answer is, yes. There were clear references in the Old Testament (OT) that foreshadowed the coming of the Messiah. Some theologians suggest that there are over 300 OT verses that point to Jesus Christ and were fulfilled by Him during His time on earth. Some include…

Old Testament

Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Micah 5:2 - But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Others include Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 22:16-18, and Isaiah 53:3-7.3

New Testament

Contemporary to Jesus, there are numerous verses in Scripture intended to remind the religious leaders that the Messiah was coming and that Jesus was He.

John 5:39-40 You search the [OT] Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

Romans 1:1-3 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy [OT] Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh.

2 Timothy 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred [OT] writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

John 5:46 - For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.

Luke 24:27 - And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Why was He rejected?

There are many reasons Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders. They include…

Jealousy and fear of losing their position to a vagabond prophet (Matthew 27:18).

Some of the things Jesus did were in direct defiance of Jewish law, such as eating on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:2).

Even though the Jews were (and still are) expecting a Messiah, it was their interpretation from the early prophets that He would be a military savior and ruler of the Jewish race, rather than a spiritual Savior who brings eternal life for those who accept Him as their (and our) Lord and Savior. This concept of the Christ as ruler and judge of the nations can be seen in verses such as Genesis 49:10, 2 Samuel 7:12-16, Jeremiah 23:5-6.

Sadly, what is missed by those still looking for the Messiah is that Jesus was prophesied to come twice, first as a humble servant, living a perfect life and dying on the cross as a substitution of the sins of mankind. And, then at His second coming, as a powerful ruler, wiping out His enemies and bringing on an eternal kingdom.

Hebrews 9:8 - By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Revelation 22:20 - He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!