Matthew Henry Commentary Deuteronomy 18:15-22

"Jehovah thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; according to all that thou desiredst of Jehovah thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of Jehovah my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. And Jehovah said unto me, They have well said that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. But the prophet, that shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. And if thou say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which Jehovah hath not spoken? when a prophet speaketh in the name of Jehovah, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah hath not spoken: the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously, thou shalt not be afraid of him." — Deuteronomy 18:15-22 (ASV)

It is promised here concerning Christ that a Prophet would come, great above all the prophets. By Him, God would make Himself and His will known to the children of men more fully and clearly than He had ever done before.

He is the Light of the world (John 8:12). He is the Word by whom God speaks to us (John 1:1; Hebrews 1:2).

In His birth, He would be one of their nation. In His resurrection, He would be raised up at Jerusalem, and from there His doctrine would go forth to all the world.

Thus God, having raised up His Son Christ Jesus, sent Him to bless us. He would be like Moses, only above him. This prophet has come, even Jesus; He is He that should come, and we are to look for no other. The view of God which He gives will not terrify or overwhelm, but encourages us. He speaks with fatherly affection and Divine authority united.

Whoever refuses to listen to Jesus Christ shall find it is at his peril; He who is the Prophet is also to be his Judge (John 12:48). Woe then to those who refuse to listen to His voice, to accept His salvation, or yield obedience to His rule! But happy are those who trust in Him and obey Him. He will lead them in the paths of safety and peace, until He brings them to the land of perfect light, purity, and happiness.

Here is a caution against false prophets. It highly concerns us to have a right touchstone with which to test the word we hear, so that we may know what word the Lord has not spoken. Whatever is against the plain sense of the written word, or which condones or encourages sin, we may be sure is not what the Lord has spoken.