• Both are first-born. Genesis 30:22-24 / Matthew 1:25

• Both are shepherds. Genesis 37:2 / Matthew 2:26, 26:31; John 10:11

• Both are the most loved of their fathers. Genesis 37:3 / Matthew 3:17, 12:18

• Both were prophesied to be rulers. Genesis 37:5-11; Daniel 7:13-14; Micah 4:7,5:2; Psalm 2

• Both Joseph’s and Jesus’ brothers were jealous of them, and did not believe them. Genesis 37:4-5, 11 / John 7:3-5, 15:18-19

• The prophecies that Joseph would rule his brothers (the tribes of Israel), and Jesus would rule the whole world, including Israel. Genesis 37:6-11; Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 2:1-12

• Joseph was sent by his father to his brothers. Jesus was sent by His Father to Israel. Genesis 37:13,18-20 / Matthew 21:37-38; Mark 12:6-7; Luke 20:13-15; John 5:23

• Both were stripped of their coat. Genesis 37:23 / John 19:23

• The coat was dipped in blood. Genesis 37:31 / Revelation 19:13

• Both were sold by one of the 12 named Judah (Greek ‘Judas’). Genesis 37:26-27 / Matthew 26:15, 27:9

• Joseph was apparently put to death, and Jesus truly, by their own people to get them out of the way. Genesis 37:18-28; Acts 2:22-23

• Reuben wanted to rescue Joseph. Pilate wanted to rescue Jesus. Genesis 37:21-22 / Matthew 27:24

• Joseph was sold as a slave to Egypt. Jesus was betrayed for the price of a slave. Genesis 37:26-28 / Matthew 26:15; Exodus 21:32 / Zechariah 11:12-13

• Both went to Egypt. Genesis 37:28 / Matthew 2:13-15

• Both were made slaves. Genesis 39:1 / Philippians 2:7

• Both were falsely accused… Genesis 39:11-20 / Matthew 26:59-61 …and punished. Genesis 39:20 / Matthew 27:35

• Yahweh was with them both. Genesis 39:3,21,23 / Acts 10:38; Acts 7:9; Luke 2:52; John 1:1-2, 3:2

• Both were with two others condemned to die, one of which was pardoned and given life. Genesis 40:1-3,20-22 / Luke 23:32,39-43

• Both declared what was needed to save life. Genesis 41:33 / John 5:54; John 6:35

• God’s Spirit indwelt them both. Genesis 41:38 / Luke 4:1; Acts 10:38

• The king of Egypt exalted Joseph out of slavery to be ruler over all to bring all under the king’s rule. Jesus is exalted out of slavery to bring all under God’s rule. Genesis 41:40-44 / Acts 2:32-33; 1 Corinthians 15:27-28; Philippians 2:5-11

Follow Along

Praying the Story of Joseph

• All knees bowed to Joseph. All knees will bow to Jesus. Genesis 41:43 / Philippians 2:10

• Both were given a name meaning Savior. Genesis 41:45 (“Savior of the World” or “Sustainer of Life”) / Matthew 1:21 (“Yahweh is Salvation”)

• Both were given a gentile bride by the King. Genesis 41:452 Corinthians 11:2

• Troubled times come during their rule. 7 years of “tribulation”. Genesis 41:54-55Mark 13:8Jeremiah 30:7

• The king of Egypt appointed Joseph to be the sole source of life for all. God appointed Jesus to be our sole source of eternal life. Genesis 41:55-57Acts 4:121 John 5:11-12

• Joseph was 30 years old when he started working for Pharoah. Jesus was about 30 years old when He began His ministry. Genesis 41:46Luke 3:23

• Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him. Jesus’ own people didn’t either. Genesis 42:7-8John 1:10

• Trouble for Joseph’s brothers. Trouble for Israel (“Jacob’s trouble”). Genesis 42:21-22,36 Isaiah 40:1-2Jeremiah 30:7

• Joseph was revealed to his brothers at their second coming. Jesus to be revealed to Israel at His second coming. Genesis 45:1-5Zechariah 12:10Matthew 24:30-31Revelation 1:7

• Both offer forgiveness to those who sought to destroy them. Genesis 45:5, 50:17-21 Luke 23:34, Acts 5:31

• The evil Joseph’s brothers intended God meant for good to save them. The same is true of the evil Jesus’ own people intended to him… Genesis 45:5-8Acts 3:12-18Genesis 50:20 …therefore they are forgiven. Genesis 45:5,10-15 Luke 23:34

• Joseph’s brothers shared Pharaoh’s favor because of Joseph, not themselves. We share God’s favor because of Jesus, not because we are worthy. Genesis 45:16-20Ephesians 2:4-8Philippians 4:19

• Both are to bring all under rule of the King. Genesis 47:19-20Ephesians 1:10-12

• Both are Savior Genesis 47:25Acts 13:23

• Joseph’s sons (Manasseh and Ephriam) come through his gentile wife and are given full tribe status. Gentiles who believe are considered full members of God’s people. Genesis 48:5,9 Hebrews 2:13 (Isaiah 8:18) Acts 28:28

• While only Jesus was truly sinless, Joseph is one of the few people significantly written about in the Bible of which no sins are mentioned. (silent) 1 Peter 2:22

• This list was taken from Andrew Bernhardt's site