CLAIM: The Quran claims that Muhammad was predicted in the Hebrew Bible (Surah 7:157). Thus Muslim apologists argue that this passage is predicting Muhammad as the future prophet that would come after Moses.

RESPONSE: This passage in Deuteronomy 18:15 specifically predicts a Jewish person (“…from your countrymen…”). This must refer to the Jewish people—not the Arabs. In context, Moses uses the term “countrymen” to refer specifically to the Levites (18:2) and the tribes of Israel (18:5). In fact, earlier, Moses contrasts the countryman with the “foreigner” (17:15). Instead, this prediction finds its fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth (see comments on Deut. 18:15).