Was Jesus a prophet?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jesus fulfilled the role of a prophet by representing God, proclaiming His truth, predicting future events, and performing miracles, just as Old Testament prophets did. People during His life recognized Him as a prophet, and He Himself affirmed this calling. Yet Jesus was far more than a prophet—He is God, the Messiah, and the Savior of humanity. While some today, such as Muslims, honor Him only as a prophet, the Bible clearly shows His divine authority and unique role in salvation. Understanding Jesus as both prophet and God calls us to recognize His full identity and respond to His message of redemption.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• In the Bible, prophets spoke for God when God instructed them, such as Samuel (1 Samuel 8:7), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:16), and more. They represented God.
• Prophets foretold the truth God wanted them to proclaim (Deuteronomy 18:18-19), predicted what was to come (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6), and also performed miracles (Exodus 7:3-5; 1 Kings 18:36-38).
• Moses did many miracles, including parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21–22). Elijah called fire from heaven—a great account from 1 Kings 18:26–38.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Many people referred to Jesus during His life on earth as a prophet, including the woman caught in adultery (John 4:19) and others (Matthew 21:11; Luke 7:16).
• At least once, Jesus compared Himself to a prophet: "And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.' And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief …" (Mark 6:4–6).
• Just as the prophets represented God, Jesus also said His message was from God (John 7:16; 8:28; 17:8).
• Prophets also, by the power of God, told the future. Jesus did this, telling His disciples He would be killed and then rise from the dead on the third day (Matthew 16:21). This prophecy was fulfilled. He said He would send the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), which we see happen in Acts 2. Jesus also gave prophecies about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, His return, and other end-times events (Matthew 24).
• Jesus, like the Old Testament prophets, also performed miracle after miracle. Read the Gospels. Here's a few references: Matthew 8:14–17; Mark 1:40–45; Luke 8:42–48; and John 6:16–21.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Many people today identify Jesus as a prophet, and He did fill the role of a prophet. But unfortunately many people confine Him to that role, such as Muslims who esteem Jesus as a great prophet but not as God or the only Savior. Jesus is so much more than a prophet. He is God (John 10:30; Philippians 2:5–11; Colossians 1:15–20). He is the Messiah (Jesus fulfilled scores of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah). He is the propitiation for our sin (Hebrews 2:17). Jesus is a prophet and fulfilled the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:18 (see Acts 3:22; 7:37). But He is more than just a prophet. He is the Word of God (John 1:1) and the only one who saves (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus fulfilled the role of a prophet, proclaiming God’s truth, predicting the future, and performing miracles.
• Jesus was recognized as a prophet during His life and affirmed this role Himself.
• Jesus is more than a prophet—He is fully God, the Messiah, and the Savior of humanity.

REFLECT

• How does understanding Jesus as both prophet and Savior affect the way you view His teachings and authority?
• How do you recognize God speaking through Jesus in your own life today?
• How has your faith been impacted by the truth that Jesus is more than a prophet—He is fully God and the Messiah?

ENGAGE

• How did Jesus fulfill the role of an Old Testament prophet, and how was He different from other prophets?
• Why do some people today honor Jesus only as a prophet, and how does that perspective differ from the Bible’s teaching? How can you meaningfully engage with those who have this erroneous view?
• How does recognizing Jesus as both prophet and Savior change the way we live and respond to His message of redemption?