Charles Ellicott Commentary Deuteronomy 13:1

"If there arise in the midst of thee a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and he give thee a sign or a wonder," — Deuteronomy 13:1 (ASV)

If there arise.—Three cases of instigation to idolatry are considered in this chapter:—

1. The false prophet (Deuteronomy 13:1–5).
2. A private individual (Deuteronomy 13:6–11).
3. A city (Deuteronomy 13:12–18).

In every case the penalty is the same—death without mercy.

Is this law the production of a later age? It may be said to have been more often broken than observed.

But there are instances in the history of Israel which seem to require some such law as this in all its three sections. The case of the false prophet justifies the action of Elijah, who took the prophets of Baal from Carmel when proved to be impostors, and brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.