It is nearly impossible to examine the life of Joseph in the Old Testament and not see the similarities of the events in the life of Christ. There are many types in the Old Testament that prefigure Jesus Christ, and many have believed at the life of Joseph is perhaps the clearest picture of Christ in so many ways.
| Comparison List of Joseph and Jesus | |
| Joseph | Jesus |
| Joseph was Loved by His Father – Genesis 37:3 | God said about Jesus “this is my beloved son” – Matthew 3:17 |
| Joseph’s brothers did not believe him and hated him – Genesis 37:4-5 | The Jews Did Not Believe in Christ – John 7:5 and they hated him – John 15:24 |
| Joseph’s brothers rejected his right to rule – Genesis 37:8 | The Jewish leaders said “we will not have this man to rule over us” Luke 19:14 |
| Joseph’s brothers conspired against him – Genesis 37:23 | They took counsel against Jesus Matthew 27:1 |
| They stripped Joseph of his garments – Genesis 37:23 | They stripped Jesus – Matthew 27:28 |
| Joseph was sold for the price of a slave, in silver – Genesis 37:28 | Jesus was sold for the price of a slave, in silver – Matthew 26:15 |
| Everything Joseph put his hand to prospered – Genesis 39:3 | “… And the pleasure of the Lord prospered in his hand” – Isaiah 53:10 |
| All things were laid into Joseph’s trust – Genesis 39:4-8 | God hath given all things into his hand – John 3:35 |
| Joseph’s own brothers did not recognize him. | The Jews did not recognize their Messiah |
| Joseph was tempted and did not sin – Genesis 39:9 | Jesus was tempted in all things yet was without sin – Hebrews 4:15 |
| Joseph was bound – Genesis 39:30 | Jesus was bound – Matthew 27:2 |
| Joseph was condemned with two criminals – Genesis 40:2, 3 | Jesus was crucified with two criminals – Luke 23:32 |
| One criminal was given life and the other was condemned – Genesis 40:21-22) | One of the criminals crucified with Jesus rejected him, the other confessed him and heard the words “Today you shall be with me in paradise” – Luke 23:43 |
| Joseph was trustworthy and wise – Genesis 41:39 | God said about Jesus “this is my beloved son in whom I well pleased” – Mark 1:11 |
| Joseph’s brothers bowed their knee to him – Genesis 41:43 | “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow” – Philippians 2:10 |
| Joseph was 30 years old – Genesis 41:46 | Jesus was “about 30 years old” – Luke 3:25 |
| God planned the suffering of Joseph in advance to save many – Genesis 50:21 | Jesus said “God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall be saved” – John 3:16 |
| Joseph was made ruler over all of Egypt – Genesis 41:42-44 | Jesus said “all power has been given unto me” – 8:18 |
| Joseph married a gentile bride who shared his glory – Genesis 41:45 | The Church of the Gentiles make up the Bride of Christ – the Church |
| Joseph was cast into a pit and then later delivered out of it – Genesis 37:24, 28 | When Jesus died he descended into the lower parts of the earth, and later ascended into heaven – Ephesians 4:9 |
| Joseph was imprisoned based on false charges – Genesis 39:19, 20 | During the trial of Jesus false witnesses were brought in testifying against him – Mark 14:56 |
| Joseph’s brothers later repented for what they did to him – Genesis 42:7 | “and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn” – Zechariah 12:10 |
