What was the relationship between Moses and Jesus?
At the Transfiguration, Moses appeared talking with Jesus. And the risen Jesus explained what Moses had written about him. Matthew 17:3; Luke 24:27
They are connected in 8 ways:
1. Wrote about him
What the Bible says
Matthew 17:3
And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Luke 24:27
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
What the Church teaches
Moses and Elijah had seen God’s glory on the mountain. The Law and the Prophets had announced what the Messiah would suffer.
Catechism 555 · Catechism of the Catholic Church
Did you know?
Luke says that Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus about his exodus, which he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Luke 9:30-31
2. The Law and grace
John writes that the Law was given through Moses, and grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17
What the Bible says
John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
What the Church teaches
The Church teaches that the Old Law is a preparation for the Gospel.
Catechism 1964 · Catechism of the Catholic Church
3. The bronze serpent
Jesus said that he had to be lifted up, just as Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the desert. John 3:14-15; Numbers 21:8-9
What the Bible says
Numbers 21:9
Moses therefore made a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: which when they that were bitten looked upon, they were healed.
John 3:14
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
What the Church teaches
God commanded that some images be made, such as the bronze serpent, which pointed to salvation through Christ.
Catechism 2130 · Catechism of the Catholic Church
4. The bread from heaven
Jesus said that it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven. The true bread from heaven is given by his Father. John 6:32; Exodus 16:4, 15
What the Bible says
Exodus 16:15
And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another: Manhu! which signifieth: What is this! for they knew not what it was. And Moses said to them: This is the bread, which the Lord hath given you to eat.
John 6:32
Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say to you; Moses gave you not bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
What the Church teaches
The manna in the desert pointed to the Eucharist, the true bread from heaven.
Catechism 1094 · Catechism of the Catholic Church
5. A prophet like him
Moses announced that God would raise up a prophet like him. Peter applied those words to Jesus. Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22
What the Bible says
Deuteronomy 18:15
The Lord thy God will raise up to thee a PROPHET of thy nation and of thy brethren like unto me: him thou shalt hear:
Acts 3:22
For Moses said: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him you shall hear according to all things whatsoever he shall speak to you.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
6. Servant and Son
The Letter to the Hebrews says that Moses was faithful in God’s house as a servant; Christ, as a Son. Hebrews 3:5-6
What the Bible says
Hebrews 3:5
And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be said:
Hebrews 3:6
But Christ as the Son in his own house: which house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and glory of hope unto the end.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
7. The paschal lamb
Saint Paul writes that Christ is “our paschal lamb.” 1 Corinthians 5:7; Exodus 12:3, 11
What the Bible says
Exodus 12:11
And thus you shall eat it: you shall gird your reins, and you shall have shoes on your feet, holding staves in your hands, and you shall eat in haste: for it is the Phase (that is the Passage) of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 5:7
Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened. For Christ our pasch is sacrificed.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
8. The Last Supper
Jesus celebrated the Last Supper during Passover, the feast that remembers the departure from Egypt. Luke 22:15; Exodus 12:14
What the Bible says
Luke 22:15
And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
What the Church teaches
At the Last Supper, Jesus gave the Jewish Passover its definitive meaning. The new Passover is celebrated in the Eucharist.
Catechism 1340 · Catechism of the Catholic Church