The Prophesied Prophet: Bridging Deuteronomy, Isaiah, the Gospel of John, and the Quran

The prophecy of the Servant in Isaiah 42 and the mention of the Paraclete or Spirit of truth in John 16:13 are believed to refer to the “Prophet like Moses” foretold in Deuteronomy 18:18. Scholars studying the Dead Sea Scrolls have identified this figure as a prophetic Messiah or Messianic prophet.

This “new Moses,” as prophesied by Moses, elaborated by Isaiah, proclaimed by Jesus, and awaited by the Samaritans, is understood by Muslims to be none other than the Prophet of Islam. The Qur’an testifies to this in Sura 7:157, which states:

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong, and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil, and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him, and followed the light which was sent down with him—it is they who will be successful.”

Muslims believe that Muhammad fulfills the characteristics of this prophesied figure, one who would guide humanity towards righteousness and truth.

Connections in the Gospel of John

Several verses in the Gospel of John provide additional evidence of this awaited figure:

1. John 1:21: When John the Baptist is questioned, he is asked, “Are you the Prophet?” This question indicates that there was an expectation among the Jewish people of a prophet who was distinct from the Messiah. Muslims interpret this figure as Muhammad, the “Prophet like Moses” foretold in Deuteronomy 18:18.
2. John 6:14: After witnessing Jesus’ miracle of feeding the five thousand, the people say, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” This statement reflects a continuing expectation of a prophet who would fulfill the role outlined in Deuteronomy 18:18, and Muslims connect this expectation to Muhammad.
3. John 7:40: During Jesus’ ministry, some of the crowd exclaim, “This is truly the Prophet.” This again highlights the anticipation of a prophet who would come after Jesus. Muslims interpret these statements as pointing to Muhammad, who they believe completed the prophetic mission initiated by Moses and proclaimed by Jesus.

The Jewish expectation of a prophet, as seen in John 1:21, John 6:14, and John 7:40, is closely connected to the Paraclete described by Jesus in John 16:13. Both figures are portrayed as divinely guided messengers who convey God’s words and truth to humanity. Muslims interpret these passages as consistent with the Islamic understanding of Muhammad as the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 18:18, completing the prophetic mission initiated by Moses and carried forward by Jesus. In this view, the Paraclete is not the Holy Spirit but rather a human prophet who fulfills these biblical prophecies.

It is significant to note that nowhere in the Gospels does Jesus explicitly claim to be the prophet predicted by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:18. Instead, his mission is often described in terms that align more closely with his role as the Messiah. This distinction leaves open the possibility of another figure fulfilling the role of the prophet like Moses, as anticipated in Jewish and Samaritan traditions and interpreted by Muslims to refer to Muhammad.

Bridging Religious Traditions

The connection between these religious texts highlights a common thread running through different faith traditions. The prophecies in Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and the Gospel of John, along with the confirmation in the Qur’an, point to a promised figure who will guide people toward righteousness and truth. The recognition of Muhammad as this prophesied figure serves as a bridge between the Abrahamic faiths, emphasizing shared values of morality, spirituality, and devotion to God.

By identifying Muhammad as the Prophet foretold in the Torah and Gospel, Muslims find confirmation of their faith within earlier scriptures, fostering a deeper sense of continuity and shared spiritual heritage among the monotheistic traditions.

Did Jesus Foretell a Human Successor Rather Than the Holy Spirit?

Certain scholars propose that Jesus may have foretold his successor, the Paraclete, as a human prophet rather than the Holy Spirit. This interpretation arises from a detailed analysis of biblical passages, particularly John 16, verse 13, where Jesus states, “For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears.” Scholars argue that this description more closely aligns with the characteristics of a human prophet who receives divine messages and conveys them to others.

Ambiguity in the Pronoun “He”

The use of the pronoun “he” in John 16, verse 13 is seen by some as ambiguous, leaving room for interpretation. Rather than exclusively referring to a non-human entity like the Holy Spirit, this phrasing could also describe a human figure. According to this view, Jesus may have alluded to a forthcoming prophetic voice of human origin, who would take on the role of guiding humanity after his departure.

The Prophetic Connection to Deuteronomy 18, verse 18

Supporters of this interpretation often point to Deuteronomy 18, verse 18, where God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses from among their brothers:
“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.”

This passage is interpreted by some as a foundational prophecy that envisions a sequence of human prophets chosen by God to lead His people. These scholars suggest that Jesus may have been positioning himself as part of this prophetic lineage, with a successor yet to come who would also serve as a human intermediary between God and humanity.

Contextualizing the Prophetic Role

Proponents of this perspective argue that their interpretation aligns more closely with the broader context of biblical prophecy and teachings about prophetic figures. They see parallels between Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John and the traditional role of prophets, who act as divine messengers. A human prophet, they claim, fits the description in John 16, verse 13 better than the abstract concept of the Holy Spirit.

In this view, Jesus’ reference to the Paraclete as one who “will speak whatever he hears” underscores the idea of a human being tasked with relaying God’s message, much like the prophets of old.

Conclusion

This interpretation remains a point of theological debate. While mainstream Christian tradition identifies the Paraclete with the Holy Spirit, the idea that Jesus could have been referring to a human prophet invites further reflection on the nature of prophecy and succession in biblical theology. For those who adhere to this interpretation, the notion of a human Paraclete offers a fresh perspective on the continuation of divine guidance after Jesus’ earthly ministry.

The Servant in the messianic prophecy of Isaiah in Chapter 42 and the Paraclete or the Spirit of truth in the prophetic words of Jesus in the Gospel of John chapter 16 verse 13 are the reference to the identification of the Prophet like Moses predicted by Moses in Deuteronomy in Chapter 18 verse 18.

The scholars of the dead sea scrolls style him as a prophetic Messiah or Messianic prophet.

This new Moses, prophesied by Moses, elaborated by Isaiah, proclaimed by Jesus and awaited by the Samaritans is none other than the Prophet of Islam.

Allah in the Quran testifies to the fact that Muhammad is that prophet. Allah says in Sura 7 verse 157:

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.