Prophet Muhammad in the Bible

The Qur’an often claims Muhammad is mentioned in earlier scriptures, but when Christians (and Jews) look at the Bible, they don’t find clear, direct prophecies that point to him by name or role as “the last prophet.”

Possible conditions

• Allah talking about the Torah and the Injil that he sent, not the Bibles today with human touch
• Or some part from the Injil could still exist in today’s Bible, but it is an indication of his coming.

For example:

Deuteronomy 18:18 Allah says in Injil, “I will raise for them a prophet like you from among their brothers, and I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.”

A prophet like you

A prophet like Jesus or Musa, who contains the word of Allah or a direct revelation from Allah.

Among their brothers

1. Muhammad was from the bloodline of Ishmael as an ancestor
2. Ishmael (first son of Abraham)
3. Isaac (second son of Abraham)
4. Muhammad is from the Ishmael branch.
5. Jesus is from Isaac’s branch.

The phrase “from among their brothers” in Deuteronomy 18:18 is key to understanding who the prophecy refers to. Let’s break it down:

Context of “brothers”

• The audience is the Israelites (descendants of Isaac).
• “Their brothers” in biblical language often refers to related nations, not the same tribe.
• In Deuteronomy 2:4 and 23:7, Edomites are called Israel’s “brothers” because they are descendants of Esau, Isaac’s son.

So if Israel = Isaac’s descendants, then their brothers = Ishmael’s descendants, since Ishmael was also Abraham’s son.

✅ The Original Text

Hebrew: אָקִים לָהֶם נָבִיא מִקֶּרֶב אֲחֵיהֶם Transliteration: *“Aqim lahem navi miqerev aḥehem”

• Meaning: “I will raise up for them a prophet from among their brothers.”

✅ Who are “their brothers”?

• “Them” = Israelites (descendants of Jacob/Israel).
• So “their brothers” means the brothers of the Israelites.

Who are the brothers of the Israelites?

• The Israelites came from Isaac (through Jacob).
• Isaac’s brother was Ishmael.
• So the Ishmaelites (Arabs) are the brothers of the Israelites.

This is consistent with the Bible:

• Genesis 16:12 (about Ishmael): *“He will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

• Here, "brothers" refers to other descendants of Abraham.

• Deuteronomy 2:4, 8 calls Edomites (descendants of Esau, Isaac’s son) “your brothers” even though they are not Israelites.

✅ So what does that mean?

• If God says, *“I will raise up a prophet for them (Israelites) from among their brothers.”

• → That means not from themselves (Israel), but from a related nation—their “brothers” (Ishmaelites).

This supports the Muslim argument that this prophecy points to a prophet from Ishmael’s descendants, which fits Muhammad, not an Israelite.

✅ Why not Jesus?

• Jesus is from the Israelites themselves (through Isaac → Jacob → Judah → David), so he is not from among the brothers, but from them.
• The wording would have been “from among you” if it meant an Israelite prophet (like in Deuteronomy 18:15).
• Israelites = Descendants of Jacob (from Isaac).
• Their brothers = Descendants of Ishmael (also from Abraham).
• Prophet from among their brothers = From Ishmael’s line → Muhammad fits.

The verse

I will put my words in his mouth

Allah sent to muhammad to the Quran word of Muhammad, and Muhammad memorized it in oral tradition

He will tell them everything I command him

Muhammad spent 23 years delivering the Qur’an, facing persecution, war, and hardship, but he did not alter or hide any part.

Allah says, “O Messenger, convey that which has been revealed to you from your Lord. If you do not, then you have not conveyed His message.” (Qur’an 5:67)

At the end of his life, during his farewell sermon, he asked,

“Have I conveyed [the message]?” and the people replied, “Yes.” Then he said, “O Allah, bear witness.”

Muhammad never claimed authorship; he always said, “This is from Allah.”

He was a prophet “from among their brothers” (Ishmaelites, related to Israelites).

The verse

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Spirit of truth

Muhammad was known as al-Amin for never lying, and he faithfully conveyed the Qur’an, the truth of God. “Spirit of truth” can refer to someone whose very soul embodies and delivers God’s truth—his soul brought the Qur’an into the world, making him the “Spirit of truth.”

The world cannot accept him

Muhammad was not recognized by most of the world. His mission would be initially rejected by the majority. Only those with insight (spiritual vision) would see and know him as a true messenger.

• “And we did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by permission of Allah. But those who disbelieve will say, “We do not believe in what you were sent with.” (Qur’an 36:30–31)

Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me

Before long, the world will not see me

• It could mean Jesus’ physical presence ends; people lose direct access to him
• Before long, people will lose faith in monotheism and, following Jesus' guidance, they will convert and change the Injil's absolute from one God to the Trinity (divine God)

But you will see me

• Could mean that although Jesus would no longer be physically present, his guidance would be “seen” in Muhammad by those who follow the truth.
• Or those absolute monotheists will stay the same. What Jesus brings is that if they follow the Injil, they will not change like them and start believing in the divine God.

Because I live, you also will live.

I live, which means Jesus’ message and guidance continue to exist through God’s plan.

You also will live, meaning those who follow God’s guidance—ultimately continued and completed by Muhammad—will spiritually live, meaning they gain eternal guidance, righteousness, and closeness to God.

I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you

I am in my father, also translated as I’m in my God.

I’m in my God, which means I’m following my God’s command. I’m in my God’s obedience.

“You’re in me” means we’re following the command that God gave him.

I am in you, which means my guidance and God’s message live in you.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate (Paraclete) to help you and be with you forever.

Greek: παράκλητος (Parakletos) = advocate, comforter.

• Some Muslim scholars argue the original word might have been Periklutos (meaning “praised one”), which would align with Muhammad’s name (which means praised).
• However, all existing Greek manuscripts say Parakletos.

John 14:16, where Jesus says:

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate (Paraclete), to be with you forever.”

This is often used in the discussion of whether this prophecy refers to the Holy Spirit (Christian interpretation) or the Prophet Muhammad (Muslim interpretation). Let’s break it down:

Christian View

• They say the “Advocate” (Greek: Paraklētos) is the Holy Spirit.
• The phrase “to be with you forever” means:
• The Spirit will always remain with believers as guidance.
• It’s not about a physical person living forever, but a spiritual presence.

Muslim View

• Many Muslims interpret “Paraclete” as a prophecy about a person (Prophet Muhammad) because:
• Jesus says “another Advocate,” implying another human messenger like Jesus, not a spirit.
• The original Greek word Paraklētos means advocate or comforter, but Muslims argue it may have been Periklutos (meaning “praised one”), which is the meaning of Muhammad’s name.
• But the question remains: “forever”—how does that fit Muhammad?
• Muhammad himself did not live forever, but:
• His message (the Qur’an) is considered final and preserved forever:
• “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will be its Guardian.” (Qur’an 15:9)
• His law (Sharia) is permanent until the end of time.
• So “forever” means his guidance will remain forever, not his physical life.

Phrase

Christian Explanation

Muslim Explanation

“Be with you forever.”

The Holy Spirit is always with believers

The final message stays preserved until the end of time