22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. (Acts 3:22-23 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
These words are recorded, Deuteronomy 18:15. and here by St. Peter pertinently applied unto Christ, to convince the unbelieving Jews, that he is the true and only Messiah, the great Prophet and Teacher of his church, whose doctrine it was highly dangerous to condemn, though out of the mouth of such contemptible persons as he and St. John appeared to be unto them.
Where note, 1. Christ, according to his prophetic office is largely described, and that three ways.
1. By his title, a prophet; one that by his office is to declare the whole will of God to man.
2. By his type, a prophet like unto Moses: one that went between God and the people as Moses did; carrying God’s mind to them, and returning their mind to God.
As Moses was faithful in the execution of his office, so was Christ.
As Moses confirmed his doctrine by miracles, so did Christ.
As Moses brought Israel out of literal Egypt, so Christ brings us out of spiritual Egypt, whereof the Egyptian bondage was a figure.
3. By his stock and original, from which according to the flesh he sprang; I will raise him up from among thy brethren. Christ honoured the nation of the Jews, and the tribe of Judah with his nativity. Thus this great prophet is described.
Note, 2. A strict injunction to hear and obey this great prophet; hear him only, hear him universally. The word ( him) is to be understood exclusively, him and none but him; that is, in the same manner that we hear him; him for his own authority’s sake; his ministers for his sake, as speaking from him and in his name: And we must hear him universally, in all things; every command is to be obeyed, none to be disputed, be the duty commanded never so difficult, and the sin forbidden never so tempting.
Note, 3. A severe commination. The soul that will not hear shall be cut off; that is, God will severely revenge himself upon the stubborn and disobedient.
Learn hence, 1. That the Lord Jesus Christ is constituted and appointed by God to be the great prophet and teacher of his church: he reveals the will of God perfectly, powerfully, persuasively, plainly, and infallibly.
Learn, 2. That it is the duty of all to hear and obey the voice of this great prophet, and this under the penalty of eternal destruction: Every soul that will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.