Jesus Christ was acclaimed as a prophet by those who witnessed his miracles and heard his teaching. They recognised him as a bearer of the word of God, who spoke with authority concerning the nature and purposes of God.
Examples of those who recognised Jesus Christ as a prophet
People anticipating the coming prophet
John 6:14 The reference is to the promised prophet, who, like Moses, would see God face to face (see Deuteronomy 18:15–18). See also John 1:21, John 7:40, John 7:52
When the people saw the sign that Jesus had performed, they began to say, “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
A Samaritan woman
Witnesses of Jesus Christ's miracles
Matthew 14:1–5 parallel Mark 6:14–15; Matthew 16:13–14 parallels Mark 8:27–28, Luke 9:18–19
The crowd as Jesus Christ approached Jerusalem
Matthew 21:10–11, Matthew 21:46
Two of Jesus Christ's disciples after his death
The apostles Peter and Stephen
Acts 3:20–23, Acts 7:37; Deuteronomy 18:15–18
Indications of Jesus Christ being a prophet
He announced coming blessing from God
John 7:37–40 See also Matthew 5:3–12 parallel Luke 6:20–23; Matthew 13:16–17 parallel Luke 10:23–24; John 20:19–21, John 20:29
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. On hearing these words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.”
He announced coming judgment and woe
Acts 3:23 See also Matthew 11:20–24 parallel Luke 10:13–15; Matthew 23:13–39; Luke 6:24–26
Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people.’
He possessed supernatural knowledge and insight
John 2:24–25 See also Matthew 9:4 parallels Mark 2:8, Luke 5:22; Luke 7:39–43, Luke 9:47; John 4:16–19
But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
He performed mighty works and miracles
Jesus Christ's own understanding of himself as a prophet
As a rejected prophet
Luke 13:31–35 See also Matthew 13:57 parallel Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24–27; John 5:46
At that very hour, some Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him, “Leave this place and get away, because Herod wants to kill You.” But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’ Nevertheless, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day, for it is not admissible for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
As a prophet anointed by God's Spirit
John 3:34 See also Luke 4:16–21; Isaiah 61:1–2
For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
As a prophet who speaks with authority
Mark 1:22, Mark 3:28; John 7:16, John 14:10
The place of Jesus Christ in relation to other prophets
Jesus Christ is greater than other prophets
Matthew 12:41 parallel Luke 11:32 See also John 1:15 John the Baptist was accepted as a prophet (e.g., Matthew 11:9).
The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.
Jesus Christ is the Messiah and Son of God
Matthew 16:13–17 See also Hebrews 1:1–2
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
The exalted Christ is the source and essence of all prophecy
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.