Who is the Prophet in this verse?

Question

"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him."

(Bible, Deuteronomy 18:18)

Answer 1

Muhammad claimed that the Bible foretold his prophethood. Today many Muslim apologists claim that the term "brethren" in Deuteronomy 18:15 and 18:18, could include anyone who is a descendant of Abraham. They believe that since Muhammad was an assumed descendant of Ishmael, Abraham's first son, then Muhammad qualifies as a 'brother' to the Israelites, and is indeed the prophet who Moses foretold in Deuteronomy 18:18.

The New Testament tells us that Jesus is the prophet Moses foretold (Acts 3:22).So, digging deeper into the contexts of how "brethren" is used start with the book of Deuteronomy. The first clue to the context of "brethren" is from the purpose of the book of Deuteronomy itself. The name Deuteronomy means 'copy of the law'; the law for who? - the Israelites, no one else. This book was given specifically to the Israelites, it was Moses' farewell address to them. A large part of it was a review of the laws between God and the Israelites, and its reading was to prepare them to enter into the promised land.
Next, I took a look at how the term 'brethren' (King James Version) is used throughout Deuteronomy. I found that it is used about 20 times, at least 14 times it means 'fellow Israelites' - members of the 12 tribes. Twice it is used to ref. the Edomites, and once for Levitical brothers, once for literal brothers (25:5), and twice for the verses in question: 18:15,18.
Therefore, the overwhelming majority of times the context is used for referring to 'fellow Israelites'.
Another point often brought up by Muslims is that Moses said that the future prophet would be "like unto me". Muslims then list the similarities between Moses and Muhammad, and the dis-similarities between Moses and Jesus as proof that Muhammad is the foretold prophet.
There can be found similarities and differences between all men. What needs to be identified are the crucial attributes that the future prophet would have to possess to be "like unto Moses".
Here is the Deut. 18 passage again from the NRSV:
"The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: "If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die." Then the Lord replied to me: "They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command."
So, the first requirement is
(1) this future prophet is to speak the words that God puts in his mouth.
Additional implicit requirements to make this prophet "like unto Moses" can be found in the last verses in Deuteronomy 34.10-12:
"And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, (2) whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the (3) signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great and terrible deeds which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel."
The three requirements I find are:
1) this future prophet is to speak the words that God puts in his mouth.
2) this future prophet would speak with God face to face
3) this future prophet would perform miracles, signs, and wonders.
How do Jesus and Muhammad compare to these requirements?
#1 the future prophet is to speak the words that God puts in his mouth.

JESUS

Jesus said that He spoke God's word; he heard directly from God.
John 7:16, 17 - "My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own."
John 8:28 - "So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me."
MUHAMMAD

Muhammad heard the Quran from a spirit he believed to be Gabriel. Muhammad repeated the words that this spirit spoke.
The Quran, chapter 53:2-5 - "Your comrade does not err, nor is he deceived, nor does he speak of his own desire. It is an inspiration this is inspired, which one (Gabriel) of mighty powers has taught him."
Muhammad fails the requirement because he did not hear from God directly. In fact, the Bible contains warnings about angels teaching false messages:
2 Cor. 11:14 - "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades an angel of light."
Gal. 1:8 - "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!"
#2 the future prophet would speak with God face to face
JESUS

Jesus was with God prior to being revealed on earth. While he was on earth, he spoke with God face to face.
John 1:18 - "No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known."
John 17:5 - "So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed."
Matthew 17:5 - "While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"

MUHAMMAD
As stated before, Muhammad never spoke with God directly. The entire Quran was given to him through a medium - a spirit. Was the spirit from God? If not, then we can conclude that it was an evil spirit that was deceiving Muhammad.
I'll note that after Moses spoke with God face to face, his face glowed with the glory of God. Jesus was transfigured when he spoke with God face to face. (Exodus 34:29, Matthew 17:2). Muhammad was never transfigured; he never radiated the glory of God.
3) the future prophet would perform miracles, signs, and wonders.

JESUS
Jesus performed many miracles. Read Luke chapters 5, 7, and 8 to find some of them.

MUHAMMAD
The Quran shows that Muhammad performed no miracles. Even the people who did not believe him pointed it out that Muhammad lacked miracles.
The Quran, chapter 6:57, 58 - "Say: "For me, I (work) on a clear sign from my Lord, but you reject Him. What you would see hastened (a miracle) is not in my power. The command (to perform a miracle) rests with none by Allah: He declares the Truth, and He is the best of judges. Say: if what you would see hastened (a miracle) were in my power, the matter would be settled at once between you and me...
The Quran, chapter 28:48 - "...They (the people who did not believe in Muhammad) say, "Why aren't miracles sent to him like those sent to Moses?"
It must be noted that the Hadith records some fanciful miracles, but these are purely mythical, because they contradict the Quran's statements about Muhammad unable to perform a miracle. Some of those Hadith "miracles" are simple copycat miracles taken from Bible stories.


A FINAL COMPARISON / CRITERIA:
One very important similarity between Moses and Jesus was that they each mediated a covenant. Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant (Testament); Christ of the New Covenant, or Testament. (Exodus 19 and 20, Hebrews 12:24). Muhammad did not bring a covenant. Muhammad's Islam is but a synthesis of Jewish, Christian, and Pagan religious themes mixed with Muhammad's own ideas.

Answer 2

It is here promised concerning Christ, that there should come a Prophet, great above all the prophets; by whom God would make known himself and his will to the children of men, more fully and clearly than he had ever done before. He is the Light of the world, ( John 8:12 ) . He is the World by whom God speaks to us, ( John 1:1 , Hebrews 1:2 ) . In his birth he should be one of their nation. In his resurrection he should be raised up at Jerusalem, and from thence his doctrine should go forth to all the world. Thus God, having raised up his Son Christ Jesus, sent him to bless us. He should be like unto Moses, only above him. This prophet is come, even JESUS; and is "He that should come," and we are to look for no other. The view of God which he gives, will not terrify or overwhelm, but encourages us. He speaks with fatherly affection and Divine authority united. Whoever refuses to listen to Jesus Christ, shall find it is at his peril; the same that is the Prophet is to be his Judge, ( John 12:48 ) . Woe then to those who refuse to hearken to His voice, to accept His salvation, or yield obedience to His sway! But happy they who trust in Him, and obey Him. He will lead them in the paths of safety and peace, until He brings them to the land of perfect light, purity, and happiness. Here is a caution against false prophets. It highly concerns us to have a right touchstone wherewith to try the word we hear, that we may know what that word is which the Lord has not spoken. Whatever is against the plain sense of the written word, or which gives countenance or encouragement to sin, we may be sure is not that which the Lord has spoken.

Answer 3

John 5:46 says Jesus is the prophet that Moses foretold.

Answer 4

People thinking it's mohammed!! Nope it's not!! Well, seeing as the Torah is the first five books of our Bible, it'd have to apply to the Jews!! Which they're still waiting for!!

Answer 5

Prophet Muhammad, since when is Jesus just a Prophet like Moses to Christians? when it suits them?

Answer 6

Stephen used this verse to support his claim that JESUS
Christ is God's son, the Messiah ( Acts 7:37)

Answer 7

Well, if you asked the Jews they would tell you that it is the messiah.Who has yet to appear.

Answer 8

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Answer 9

Prophet Muhammad - peace and blessings of God be upon him.

Answer 10

it is I. peace be upon me. I have been raised many times in my dreams.