Deuteronomy 18:18-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:15-22

The promised Prophet. From speaking of the paltry expectations about divination, Moses goes on to speak of the general plan of Divine revelation. The people had had the splendid chance of direct communion with God, without any mediation. God spoke to them from heaven at Sinai; but so afraid were they of immediate revelation that they implored Moses to mediate the message for them. He became consequently, with God's full approval, the human medium through which the Divine will was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:15-22

Presages of the true Prophet. Captious men of the present day complain that they cannot see God—cannot hear his voice. In their heart they do not wish to see him. He will not reveal himself, as an object of curiosity, to the eye of speculation. He reveals himself to the conscience and to the loyal heart. But men do not wish to see him as the embodiment of righteousness. They shudder and flee away. Yet in no other way can they see him than as he truly is. In this circumstance of mutual... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:18

And will put my words in his mouth ; will so reveal to him my mind, and so inspire him to utter it, that the words he speaks shall be really my words. The question has been raised whether, by the Prophet like unto Moses, hero promised to the people of Israel, is to be understood some eminent individual, or whether this refers to the prophetic διαδοχὴ , or succession, that was to continue under the theocracy. For the latter the context strongly speaks, for (1) the contrast between what... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:19

I will require it of him ; I will judge him and punish his disobedience (cf. Genesis 42:22 ; 2 Samuel 4:11 ; Psalms 10:13 , etc.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:19-22

To the Prophet who should thus speak to the people all that God should command him, they were to pay the utmost deference, and to his words they were to render implicit obedience. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:20

If, however, a prophet should presume to speak in the Name of the Lord what the Lord had not commanded him to speak, or if he should speak in the name of other gods, not only was no regard to be paid to his words, but he was himself to be treated as a blasphemer, and to be put to death. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:20-22

The false prophet. The failure of the word of a prophet was decisive proof that he had not spoken by Divine inspiration. Had his word not failed, it would not have followed that he was a true prophet, but it showed conclusively that he was a false one when his word did fail. I. CERTAINTY OF FULFILLMENT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF GOD 'S WORDS . If e . g . the prophecies of the Scriptures could be shown to have been falsified by events, it would, by the rule laid down... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 18:15-19

The ancient fathers of the Church and the generality of modern commentators have regarded our Lord as the prophet promised in these verses. It is evident from the New Testament alone that the Messianic was the accredited interpretation among the Jews at the beginning of the Christian era (compare the marginal references, and John 4:25); nor can our Lord Himself, when He declares that Moses “wrote of Him” John 5:45-47, be supposed to have any other words more directly in view than these, the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 18:20

Compare the marginal references. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:1-22

Spiritual guides, good and bad (18:1-22)Further information is given concerning the support of priests (18:1-5; see notes on Numbers 18:8-20). If a Levite from the country sold his local possessions to move to the central place of worship, he could retain the money from the sale of his goods and still be financially supported by the people, the same as other Levites (6-8; see notes on Numbers 18:21-32).Israel’s law prohibited all forms of witchcraft and magic, whether cruel practices in which... read more

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