contained not only the announcement of the
Messiah, but of some distinguished prophet also, besides Him, who
should be His precursor or companion. At the same time, we must not
overlook the circumstance that, in both passages, the people are at a
loss, and are thereby induced to deviate from the prevailing [Pg 107]
opinion. Their uncertainty and wavering, however, is only about the
person. In this they agree, notwithstanding, that in Deut. xviii. they
find the announcement of one distinguished person.

But the Messianic interpretation may appeal, with still greater
confidence, to the direct evidence of the New Testament. The
declaration of the Lord in John v. 45-47 is here to be noticed above
all: [Greek: Me dokeite hoti ego kategoreso humon pros ton patera.
estin ho kategoron humon, Mouses, eis hon humeis elpikate. Ei gar
episteuete Mouse, episteuete an emoi. peri gar emou ekeinos egrapsen.
Ei de tois ekeinou grammasin ou pisteuete, pos tois emois rhemasi
pisteusete];--It is clear that the Lord must here have had in view a
distinct passage of the Pentateuch,--a clear and definite declaration
of Moses. Dexterous explanations (_Bengel_: _Nunquam non_; _Tholuck_:
The prophetical and typical element implied in the whole form of
worship) are of no apologetic value, and it is not possible summarily,
on such grounds, to call the enemies before the judgment-seat of God.
It was not enough to allude, in a way so general, to what could not be
at once perceptible; greater distinctness and particularity would have
been required. But if a single declaration--a direct Messianic
prophecy--form the question at issue, our passage only can be meant;
for it is the only prophecy of Christ which Moses, on whose person
great stress is laid, uttered in his own name. Moreover, Christ would
more readily expect that the Jews would acknowledge our prophecy to be
fulfilled in Him, than the prophecy in Gen. xlix., which refers rather
to the Messiah in glory. The preceding words of Jesus likewise contain
references to the passage now under consideration. Ver. 38--"And ye
have not His word abiding in you; for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe
not,"--contains an allusion to Deut. xviii. 18: "And I will put My
words into his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall
command him;" so that whosoever rejects the Ambassador of God, rejects
His word at the same time. John v. 43--"I am come in My Father's name,
and ye receive Me not,"--acquires b