Here are 29 typologies of Jesus expressed through the life of Joseph during the era of the Pharaohs of Egypt:
One: Both Joseph and Jesus were the well beloved sons of their fathers (Gen. 37:3; Matt. 3:17).
Two: Joseph lived in Hebron, the place of fellowship with his father, before he was sent to his brothers. Jesus lived in heaven, the place of fellowship with His father, before coming to the earth.
Three: Each was sent from his father to his brothers--and both sons were perfectly willing to go (Gen. 37:13; John 3:16).
Four: Joseph and Jesus testified against their brothers’ sins (mankind's sin) (Gen. 37:2c; John 8:34-47).
Five: Each was envied and hated by his brothers (Gen. 37:4, 11; Matt. 27:18 and Luke 6:11).
Six: Each revealed his future exalted position and was hated even more for having done so (Gen. 37:5-11; John 10).
Seven: Joseph's brothers plotted to kill him (Gen. 37:18-20). Jesus’ brothers (according to the flesh, the Pharisees) plotted to kill Him (John 11:53).
Eight: Each was stripped of his robe (Gen. 37:23; Matt. 27:31).
Nine: Joseph was betrayed by his brothers to the Gentiles (Gen. 37:27-28). Jesus was betrayed by the elders of the Jews to the Roman officials (Luke 23:1-25).
Ten: Judah sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver (Gen. 37:28). Judas handed over Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14-15).
Eleven: Joseph’s robe was taken of proof of his death (Gen. 37:32). Jesus’ burial cloths were proof of his death and resurrection (John 20:6-7).
Twelve: Both Joseph and Jesus were tempted and did not yield. Joseph resisted temptation from Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 39:7-12); Jesus resisted temptation from Satan (Luke 4:1-13).
Thirteen: Both Joseph and Jesus were accused wrongfully. Joseph was falsely accused and taken captive without a trial (Gen. 39:20); Jesus was accused and tried under cover of darkness (Luke 22:52-53).
Fourteen: Joseph was put in an Egyptian dungeon, the place of death, with two malefactors who had displeased the king (Gen. 40:2-3). Jesus was hanged on a cross, the instrument of death, between two criminals (Luke 23:32).
Fifteen: In both cases one of the malefactors died and the other got saved. Pharaoh's cupbearer lived on, physically, in the palace with the king; the repentant thief on the cross lived on, spiritually, in Paradise with the Lord (Gen. 40:20-22; Luke 23:40-43).
Sixteen: Both were raised from the place of death by kings; Jesus, by the King of the universe (Gen. 41:14; Hebrews 13:20).
Seventeen: Joseph was given all power in Egypt. Jesus was given all power in heaven and earth (Gen. 41:37-41; Matt. 28:18).
Eighteen: Joseph was second in command next to Pharaoh (Gen. 41:40). Jesus always submits to the Father (John 14:10, 16, 24).
Nineteen: Joseph, after his exaltation, took a Gentile bride to share his glory (Gen. 41:45). Jesus, after His exaltation, takes a Gentile bride (the church) to share His glory (Matt. 22:8-10).
Twenty: All people were commanded to bend the knee to Joseph (Gen. 41:43). One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord (Phil. 2:10).
Twenty-one: Joseph's service with the king (Pharaoh) started when he was 30 (Gen. 41:46). Jesus' earthly ministry began when he was 30 (Luke 3:23).
Twenty-two: Both were acknowledged to be the savior of the people and their ruler.
Twenty-three: Through Joseph’s betrayal and saving act Jews and Gentiles are saved (Gen. 41:56-57). Jesus's saving act of redemption on the cross is the means for any repentant sinner to into heaven (Gal. 3:28).
Twenty-four: All had to get their bread, physical life, through Joseph. All must get their spiritual life through Jesus, the bread of life, born in the House of Bread (Bethlehem) and laid in a feeding trough (manger).
Twenty-five: Both gave all honor to the king (Jesus, to the King of the universe) and delivered all things into his hands (1 Corinthians 15:24).
Twenty-six: Joseph knew the past history of his brothers. Jesus knew what was in the heart of man (John 2:25).
Twenty-seven: Neither was recognized by his brothers at their first meeting (Gen. 42:8; John 1:11).
Twenty-eight: Joseph’s brothers recognized him at their second meeting and wept (Gen. 45:14). Jews will weep when Yeshua (Jesus) returns (Zech. 12:10-11).
Twenty-nine: When Joseph's brothers humbled themselves, he freely forgave them (Gen. 50:15-21). When we humble ourselves to receive the Savior's sacrificial blood atonement, He freely forgives us (Romans 10:9-10).
