Muslims claim that Jesus is only a prophet like Moses and Muhammad. This claim does not withstand serious scrutiny.
It is true that Jesus is a prophet insofar as he proclaims God’s word. But he is not to be reduced to the level of other prophets. While the prophets always said, “Thus says the Lord,” Jesus speaks with his own divine authority: “But I say to you.” (Mt 5:22). Thus, he does not appear merely as a messenger, but as the source and fulfiller of the message. He is not only a prophet, but also priest and king, and above all the only-begotten Son of God.
Holy Scripture testifies to this clearly. Jesus declares: “Before Abraham was, I am.” (Jn 8:58), thereby claiming the divine name for himself. He says: “I and the Father are one.” (Jn 10:30). The Apostle Thomas falls before him and confesses: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28), and Jesus accepts this confession. He forgives sins (Mk 2:5–7), an authority that belongs to God alone. He commands wind and waves, raises the dead, and thus reveals a power that no other prophet could claim.
The first Christians understood this and bore witness to it with their lives. Ignatius of Antioch called him in the year 107 “God in man, true physician and Lord.” Justin Martyr referred to him as the eternal Logos, who was with God from the beginning. If Jesus had been only a prophet, their worship would have been idolatry. But they worshipped him because they knew: He is truly God.
Reason also confirms this. If Jesus called himself God, then he was either a liar, a madman, or he really is who he said he was. Since his life is holy, his teaching perfect, and his resurrection confirmed by many witnesses, only the last possibility remains: He is truly the Lord. Even the Quran places Jesus above all other prophets: He is born of the Virgin, without sin, he works miracles, he is “Spirit of God” and “Word of God.” These titles are given to no other prophet.
Compared to Muhammad, the uniqueness of Christ becomes even more apparent. Muhammad performed no divine miracles, but Jesus healed, calmed the storm, and raised the dead. Muhammad died and remained in the grave, but Jesus rose and lives. Muhammad brought a book, but Jesus gave his own life as redemption for the world. Muhammad said: “I am only a messenger.” But Jesus declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (Jn 14:6).
Muslims often try to interpret the prophecy from Deuteronomy 18:15–18 as referring to Muhammad: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers; you shall listen to him.” But a closer look shows that this is impossible. First, Moses speaks of a prophet from among Israel, from his brothers. Muhammad, however, does not descend from Israel, but from the Ishmaelites. Christ, on the other hand, was born from the people of Israel, from the tribe of Judah. Second, Moses had a unique fellowship with God; he spoke “face to face” with him (Deut 34:10). Only Christ fulfills this, as he is the eternal Son who rests in the bosom of the Father (Jn 1:18). Third, Moses was the mediator of the covenant. A prophet “like Moses” must therefore also be the mediator of a new covenant. Muhammad brought no redemption, but Christ established the New Covenant in his blood (Lk 22:20). Fourth, the New Testament itself clearly interprets this promise: Peter proclaims in Acts 3:22–23 that this prophet is Jesus. Thus, Scripture itself testifies against the claim that Muhammad is meant.
The conclusion is clear: Jesus Christ is not simply one prophet among many. He is the incarnate Son of God, true God and true man. Moses announced him, the prophets pointed to him, and in him all the promises are fulfilled. Muhammad, on the other hand, cannot make this claim. Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the life.