Muslim Claim: God promised to raise a prophet "like Moses" from the Israelites' "brethren," interpreted as Ishmaelites.
1. "Among their brethren" refers to other Israelites, not outsiders. In Deuteronomy 17-18,the phrase "from among your brothers" consistently means "from among the Israelites themselves."
Deut 17:15 says to appoint a king from among your brothers, this can't mean that a non-Jew would be king.
2. Christians see the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who is viewed as a new Moses in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 3:22-23).
3. If it were an Ishmaelite, Deuteronomy would need clearer language indicating a non-Israelite lineage. The immediate context always deals with internal Israelite leadership.
John 1:19-21 ("Are you that Prophet?")
Muslim Claim: When John the Baptist is asked if he is "that Prophet," it refers to Deuteronomy 18:18,which Muslims believe applies to Muhammad.
1. First-century Jewish expectations: Many Jews at the time distinguished between the Messiah, Elijah (Malachi 4:5), and "the Prophet" (Deut 18). Christians hold that Jesus is both Messiah and the ultimate "Prophet like Moses."
2. New Testament identifies Jesus with Deut 18: In Acts 3:22-23,the apostle Peter applies Deuteronomy 18 directly to Jesus.
3. No suggestion of a 7th-century Arabian prophet: The Gospel context shows immediate questions about John and Jesus, with no future figure implied.
4. The prophet who will be like Moses knew God face to face and spoke to him. He will perform many powerful miracles. Mohammad did none of this. Deut 34:10-12
"Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the prophet like Moses (peace be upon him), fulfilling what Allah promised. The Qur'an says, ‘Indeed, We have sent to you a Messenger as a witness over you just as We sent to Pharaoh a messenger' (Surah Al-Muzzammil, 73:15). Like Moses, he received a complete law—the Qur'an—led his people from oppression to freedom, and spoke directly to Allah (on the Night Journey). Both were shepherds, married, and died naturally, unlike Jesus.
The Bible hints at this in Deuteronomy 18:18,‘I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers,' and the Qur'an confirms Jesus' role—‘The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger' (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:75)—while Muhammad brought the final guidance. Jesus' Injeel was light (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:46), but Muhammad's mission matched Moses' scale, leading nations to worship Allah alone."
Deuteronomy 18:18
The assertion that Muhammad fulfills the prophecy of the prophet "like Moses" (Deuteronomy 18:18) is a strained and selective reading of Scripture. The Bible's internal evidence points unmistakably to Jesus Christ.
1. "Brethren" Means Israelites, Not Ishmaelites
The interpretation that "from among their brethren" (Deuteronomy 18:18) refers to Ishmaelites is a fundamental misreading. Throughout Deuteronomy, the phrase consistently refers to fellow Israelites (Deut 17:15). The prophet had to be an Israelite to maintain the continuity of God's covenant. The New Testament confirms that Jesus Christ is the unique fulfillment (Acts 3:22-23), resolving the First-Century Jewish distinction between the Prophet and the Messiah.
The attempt to compare Muhammad and Moses based on superficial similarities (married, shepherd) ignores the supreme standard set for Moses's successor.
Christians reject the strained interpretation of Deuteronomy 18:18. Muhammad fails on the criteria of lineage, divine intimacy, and supernatural validation. The prophecy finds its perfect, Divine fulfillment only in Jesus Christ.