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Sproul: Jesus is not just the subject of prophecy



In the New Testament, we see that Christ is the Prophet par excellence. We tend to emphasize Christ’s offices of Priest and King but neglect His role as Prophet. 

There is a progressive understanding about Jesus seen in those who met Him. The woman at the well said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet” (John 4:19). That was quite an accolade, but she had not yet reached the zenith of her confession, which happened when she recognized Him as the Messiah (v. 29). Jesus not only proclaims the Word of God; He is the Word of God (John 1:1). 

The author of Hebrews writes, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (1:1–2). Elsewhere, Jesus said, “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak” (John 12:49). Jesus is the faithful Prophet of the New Testament.

Jesus is not just the subject of prophecy; He is the chief object of prophecy. He did not just teach about the future or declare the Word of God; He is the Word of God, and He is the focal point of all the prophetic teaching of the Old Testament.


Sproul, R. C. (2014). Everyone’s a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology (p. 150). Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust.

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