Messiah as a Prophet

 Some Jews in Jesus’ time did expect the Messiah to be a prophet, or to come in a prophetic role. This expectation was not universal, but it was widespread and influential. Here are the main reasons:

1. The promise of a “Prophet like Moses” (Deuteronomy 18:15–18)

Many Jews believed that God would send a great prophet “like Moses.”

This figure would speak God’s words with authority.

He would guide Israel, perform signs, and bring renewal.

By the first century, some people saw this “prophet-like-Moses” figure as a messianic figure.

This is why, in the Gospels, people ask Jesus:

“Is this the Prophet?” (John 1:21; 6:14; 7:40)

They were expecting a prophetic Messiah, not just a royal or priestly one.

2. The Essenes expected a “prophetic Messiah”

Some Dead Sea Scrolls (e.g., 1QS, 1QSa, 4QTestimonia) speak of:

A Priestly Messiah

A Royal Messiah

And sometimes a Prophetic figure

This prophetic figure would interpret Scripture, reveal God’s will, and lead the people spiritually.

So at least some Jewish groups clearly expected a prophetic agent of God.

3. Many believed that Elijah would return

Malachi 4:5 says Elijah would come before the “Day of the Lord.”

This created an expectation that a prophetic forerunner would appear — and perhaps the Messiah himself would also function as a prophet like Elijah.

This explains why people said:

“Some say you are Elijah.”

“Some say you are a prophet.” (Mark 8:28)

The Messiah could be seen as a miracle-working prophet, like Elijah or Elisha.

4. Popular piety saw prophets as deliverers

Prophets like:

Moses

Samuel

Elijah

Elisha

…were remembered as doing more than “predicting the future.”
They confronted kings, performed miracles, liberated people, and led Israel morally and spiritually.

So it was natural for some to hope for a great prophet who would deliver them again.

This expectation is visible when people say:

“A great prophet has arisen among us!” (Luke 7:16)

5. Jesus’ actions fit prophetic expectations

During his ministry, Jesus often looked like a prophet:

He proclaimed God’s kingdom

Performed miracles

Confronted corruption

Spoke with God’s authority

Raised the dead (like Elijah/Elisha)

So people spontaneously understood him as a prophetic Messiah.

Summary

In Jesus’ time, people had several different expectations about the Messiah:

A kingly Messiah (son of David)

A priestly Messiah (from Aaron’s line)

A prophetic Messiah (like Moses or Elijah)

Some groups expected more than one messianic figure

So yes, many Jews expected the Messiah to come as a prophet, and this expectation directly shaped how they interpreted Jesus’ ministry.

If you want, I can also write a short Malayalam explanation for this.