All of the books of the Old Testament anticipate the coming of the Messiah (anointed priest/prophet/king) either by prophecy or by prefiguring his life with events in the lives of one of the God-given saviors of their people. These “types” of Christ include: Melchizedek, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, and Jonah. As Jesus is the spiritual Adam (1 Corinth. 15:45), so “the woman” Mary is as an obedient Eve. Mary, the virgin mother of God, likewise is prefigured by a number of faithful and heroic women in Jewish salvation history: Sarah, Hannah, Esther, and Judith. She is even prefigured by the Mosaic ark of covenant, as her body is the new ark of the Covenant who is Jesus Himself.
One good way to meditate on each rosary mystery is to consider the associated prophecy or prefigurement before praying the Our Father.
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
I. THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE INCARNATION OF JESUS BY THE ANGEL
Prophesied Isaiah 7:13-14
Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God!? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
Prefigured Genesis 18:1,9,12
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre. … “Where is your wife Sarah? … I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.” … So Sarah laughed. … The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? … Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do? At the appointed time, … I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son.”
Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God!? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
Prefigured Genesis 18:1,9,12
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre. … “Where is your wife Sarah? … I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.” … So Sarah laughed. … The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? … Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do? At the appointed time, … I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son.”
II. THE VISITATION OF MARY TO ELIZABETH AND ZECHARIAH
Prophesied 2 Samuel 6:9,11,14; 7:8-9,16
David … said, “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” … The ark of the LORD remained in the house … 3 months. … David … came dancing before … the ark of the LORD with abandon. … “Speak thus to my servant David, … I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. … Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me.”
Prefigured 1 Samuel 2:1-2,5,7-8
As Hannah worshipped the LORD, she said: “My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in my God. … I rejoice in my victory. There is no Holy One like the LORD. … The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry batten on spoil. … The LORD makes poor and makes rich, he humbles, he also exalts. He raises the needy from the dust … to seat them with nobles.”
David … said, “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” … The ark of the LORD remained in the house … 3 months. … David … came dancing before … the ark of the LORD with abandon. … “Speak thus to my servant David, … I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. … Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me.”
Prefigured 1 Samuel 2:1-2,5,7-8
As Hannah worshipped the LORD, she said: “My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in my God. … I rejoice in my victory. There is no Holy One like the LORD. … The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry batten on spoil. … The LORD makes poor and makes rich, he humbles, he also exalts. He raises the needy from the dust … to seat them with nobles.”
III. THE NATIVITY OF JESUS IN BETHLEHEM
Prophesied Micah 5:1-2,4
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, … from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. Therefore the LORD will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne. … He shall be peace.
Prefigured 1 Kings 10:1-2,4-6,9-10
The queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon’s fame, …. arrived in Jerusalem. … When the queen of Sheba witnessed Solomon’s great wisdom, … she was breathless. She told the king, …“In his enduring love for Israel, the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice.” Then she gave the king 120 gold talents, a very large quantity of spices, and precious stones.
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, … from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. Therefore the LORD will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne. … He shall be peace.
Prefigured 1 Kings 10:1-2,4-6,9-10
The queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon’s fame, …. arrived in Jerusalem. … When the queen of Sheba witnessed Solomon’s great wisdom, … she was breathless. She told the king, …“In his enduring love for Israel, the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice.” Then she gave the king 120 gold talents, a very large quantity of spices, and precious stones.
IV. THE PRESENTATION OF THE INFANT JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
Prophesied Malachi 3:1-3
Suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? … He will purify the sons of Levi … that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
Prefigured 1 Samuel 1:24-25,28
Once he was weaned, she brought him up with her … and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh. After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother approached Eli and said, … “Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.”
Suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? … He will purify the sons of Levi … that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
Prefigured 1 Samuel 1:24-25,28
Once he was weaned, she brought him up with her … and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh. After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother approached Eli and said, … “Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.”
V. THE FINDING OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
Prophesied 2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14
The LORD spoke to Nathan and said: “Go tell my servant David, … I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, …It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.”
Prefigured 1 Samuel 2:11,20; 3:1,3
When Elkanah returned home to Ramah, the child remained in the service of the LORD under the priest Eli. … Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, as they were leaving for home. … During the time young Samuel was minister to the LORD under Eli, … Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was.
The LORD spoke to Nathan and said: “Go tell my servant David, … I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, …It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.”
Prefigured 1 Samuel 2:11,20; 3:1,3
When Elkanah returned home to Ramah, the child remained in the service of the LORD under the priest Eli. … Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, as they were leaving for home. … During the time young Samuel was minister to the LORD under Eli, … Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was.
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
I. THE BAPTISM OF JESUS IN THE JORDAN RIVER BY JOHN
Prophesied Isaiah 42:1,6-7
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased. Upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations. … I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners.
Prefigured 1 Samuel 16:4,11-13
Samuel did as the LORD commanded him. … Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him.” … The LORD said, “There – anoint him, for this is he!” Then Samuel, … anointed him. … The spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased. Upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations. … I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners.
Prefigured 1 Samuel 16:4,11-13
Samuel did as the LORD commanded him. … Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him.” … The LORD said, “There – anoint him, for this is he!” Then Samuel, … anointed him. … The spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.
II. THE MANIFESTATION OF JESUS AT THE WEDDING FEAST AT CANA
Prophesied Isaiah 55:1-3
All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! … You shall delight in rich fare. … I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.
Prefigured 2 Kings 2:19-22
Once the inhabitants of the city complained to Elisha, … “The water is bad and the land unfruitful.” “Bring me a new bowl,” Elisha said, “and put salt into it.” When they had brought it to him, he went out to the spring and threw salt into it, saying, “Thus says the LORD, ‘I have purified this water.’ ” … And the water has stayed pure even to this day.
All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! … You shall delight in rich fare. … I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.
Prefigured 2 Kings 2:19-22
Once the inhabitants of the city complained to Elisha, … “The water is bad and the land unfruitful.” “Bring me a new bowl,” Elisha said, “and put salt into it.” When they had brought it to him, he went out to the spring and threw salt into it, saying, “Thus says the LORD, ‘I have purified this water.’ ” … And the water has stayed pure even to this day.
III. THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM BY JESUS
Prophesied Deuteronomy 18:17-19
The LORD said to Moses, “This was well said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kinsmen, and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him. If any man will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it.”
Prefigured Deuteronomy 30:15-16,19-20; 31:1
“I have today set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. If you obey the commandments of the LORD, … loving him and walking in his ways, … your God will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy. … Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.” … Moses had finished.
The LORD said to Moses, “This was well said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kinsmen, and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him. If any man will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it.”
Prefigured Deuteronomy 30:15-16,19-20; 31:1
“I have today set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. If you obey the commandments of the LORD, … loving him and walking in his ways, … your God will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy. … Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.” … Moses had finished.
IV. THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS ON THE MOUNTAIN
Prophesied Isaiah 9:1,5-6
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. … A son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.
Prefigured Exodus 34:30,34
When Aaron, then, and the other Israelites saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him. … Whenever Moses entered the presence of the LORD to converse with him, … the Israelites would see that the skin of Moses’ face was radiant.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. … A son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.
Prefigured Exodus 34:30,34
When Aaron, then, and the other Israelites saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him. … Whenever Moses entered the presence of the LORD to converse with him, … the Israelites would see that the skin of Moses’ face was radiant.
V. THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST AT THE LAST PASSOVER OF JESUS
Prophesied Jeremiah 31:31-34
The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel. … It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers. … They broke my covenant and I had to show myself their master. … I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God. … I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.
Prefigured Genesis 14:18-20
Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who delivered your foes into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel. … It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers. … They broke my covenant and I had to show myself their master. … I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God. … I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.
Prefigured Genesis 14:18-20
Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who delivered your foes into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
I. THE AGONY OF JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE
Prophesied Isaiah 53:8,10-12
Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away; … smitten for the sin of his people. … Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, … the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. … Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear. … He surrendered himself to death.
Prefigured Genesis 37:8,27-28
“Are you really going to make yourself king over us?” his brothers asked him. … “Let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.
Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away; … smitten for the sin of his people. … Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, … the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. … Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear. … He surrendered himself to death.
Prefigured Genesis 37:8,27-28
“Are you really going to make yourself king over us?” his brothers asked him. … “Let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.
II. THE SCOURGING AND ABUSE OF JESUS
Prophesied Isaiah 53:5-7
He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep; each following his own way; but the LORD has laid upon him the guilt of us all. Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth, like a lamb led to the slaughter.
Prefigured Jeremiah 26:10-11; 37:15
When the princes of Judah were informed of these things, they came up from the king’s palace to the house of the LORD and held court. … The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people, “This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” … The princes were enraged, and had Jeremiah beaten and thrown into prison.
He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep; each following his own way; but the LORD has laid upon him the guilt of us all. Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth, like a lamb led to the slaughter.
Prefigured Jeremiah 26:10-11; 37:15
When the princes of Judah were informed of these things, they came up from the king’s palace to the house of the LORD and held court. … The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people, “This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” … The princes were enraged, and had Jeremiah beaten and thrown into prison.
III. THE CROWNING WITH THORNS AND MOCKING OF JESUS
Prophesied 1 Samuel 8:6-8
Samuel was displeased when they asked for a king to judge them. He prayed to the LORD, however, who said in answer: … “They are rejecting me as their king. As they have treated me constantly from the day I brought them up from Egypt to this day, deserting me and worshiping strange gods, so do they treat you.”
Prefigured Jeremiah 15:10-11,15-16
A man of strife and contention to all the land! I neither borrow nor lend, yet all curse me. Tell me, LORD, have I not served you for their good? Have I not interceded with you in the time of misfortune and anguish? … You know I have. … Know that for you I have borne insult. …Because I bore your name, O LORD.
Samuel was displeased when they asked for a king to judge them. He prayed to the LORD, however, who said in answer: … “They are rejecting me as their king. As they have treated me constantly from the day I brought them up from Egypt to this day, deserting me and worshiping strange gods, so do they treat you.”
Prefigured Jeremiah 15:10-11,15-16
A man of strife and contention to all the land! I neither borrow nor lend, yet all curse me. Tell me, LORD, have I not served you for their good? Have I not interceded with you in the time of misfortune and anguish? … You know I have. … Know that for you I have borne insult. …Because I bore your name, O LORD.
IV. THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS OF JESUS TO GOLGOTHA
Prophesied Isaiah 53:3-4,12
He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken. …Counted among the wicked, he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon.
Prefigured Genesis 22:6-8,13
Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac’s shoulders. … Isaac spoke, … “Where is the sheep for the holocaust?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust.” … As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.
He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken. …Counted among the wicked, he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon.
Prefigured Genesis 22:6-8,13
Abraham took the wood for the holocaust and laid it on his son Isaac’s shoulders. … Isaac spoke, … “Where is the sheep for the holocaust?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust.” … As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.
V. THE CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF JESUS
Prophesied Psalm 22:1,8-9,16-19
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? … All who see me mock me; … “He relied on the LORD – let him rescue him.” … My throat is dried up liked baked clay; my tongue cleaves to my jaws; … They have pierced my hands and my feet, I can count all my bones. … They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.
Prefigured Numbers 21:7-9
The people said to Moses, “We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. … The LORD said to Moses, “Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? … All who see me mock me; … “He relied on the LORD – let him rescue him.” … My throat is dried up liked baked clay; my tongue cleaves to my jaws; … They have pierced my hands and my feet, I can count all my bones. … They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.
Prefigured Numbers 21:7-9
The people said to Moses, “We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. … The LORD said to Moses, “Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered.
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
I. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS FROM THE DEAD
Prophesied Psalm 16:9-11 My heart is glad, my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure, for you will not abandon me to Sheol, nor let your faithful servant see the pit. You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.
Prefigured Jonah 2:1,3,7 The LORD sent a large fish, that swallowed Jonah; and he remained in the belly of the fish 3 days and 3 nights. … Jonah said this prayer: … ‘From the midst of the nether world I cried for help, and you heard my voice. … You brought up my life from the pit, O LORD, my God.’
II. THE ASCENSION OF JESUS TO HEAVEN AFTER 40 DAYS
Prophesied Daniel 7:13-14 I saw one like a son of man coming on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, he received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away.
Prefigured 2 Kings 2:9-12 Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.” … He replied, “If you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted.” … A flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. When Elisha saw it happen he cried out.
III. THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE DISCIPLES
Prophesied Joel 3:1-2,5 I will pour out my spirit upon all mankind. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, … even upon the servants and the handmaids, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. … Then everyone shall be rescued who calls on the name of the LORD; for on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant, as the LORD has said, and in Jerusalem survivors whom the LORD shall call.
Prefigured Numbers 11:25,29 The LORD then came down in the cloud and spoke to him. Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses, he bestowed it on the seventy elders; and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied. … Moses answered, … “Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets. Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!”
IV. THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY, BODY AND SOUL, INTO HEAVEN
Prophesied Psalm 45: 7,9,14-15,17-18 Your throne, O God, stands forever; … with myrrh, aloes, and cassia your robes are fragrant. … All glorious is the king’s daughter as she enters; ... she is led to the king. … The throne of your fathers your sons will have; you shall make them princes through all the land. I will make your name renowned through all generations; thus nations shall praise you forever.
Prefigured Esther 5:1-2 Esther put on her royal garments and stood in the inner courtyard, looking toward the royal palace, while the king was seated on his royal throne in the audience chamber, facing the palace doorway. He saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, and made her welcome by extending toward her the golden staff which he held. She came up to him.
V. THE CORONATION OF MARY AS QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
Prophesied Genesis 3:14-15,20 Then the LORD God said to the serpent: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers. He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” … She became the mother of all the living.
Prefigured Judith 13:18; 15:9-10 “Blessed are you, daughter, by the most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the LORD God, … who guided your blow at the head of the chief of our enemies.” … All blessed Judith, saying: “You are the glory of Jerusalem, the surpassing joy of Israel; you are the splendid boast of our people. … God is pleased with what you have wrought. May you be blessed forever.
Source: SCRIPTURES IN ROSARY. PDF
