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προφήτης (prophētēs)

prophētēs

prophet

G4396 · Greek · New Testament · 143 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
143 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The noun prophētēs denotes a spokesperson who speaks on behalf of another, specifically serving as an interpreter of divine will. In classical Greek, it referred to those who explained oracles, but in the New Testament, it primarily translates the Hebrew nāḇîʾ. The word emphasizes the role of declaring God’s message rather than merely predicting the future, portraying the prophet as one moved by the Spirit to convey truth to people.

This term appears frequently across the Gospels and Acts, identifying figures such as John the Baptist (Mark 6:15), Jesus himself (John 6:14), and the apostolic prophets in the early church (Acts 15:32). It also extends metonymically to the prophetic writings (Luke 24:27) and, uniquely, to a poet like Epimenides in Titus 1:12, reflecting an ancient view that inspired speech could take various forms. The consistent thread is that the prophet acts as God’s authorized voice, urging listeners toward salvation and right relationship with Him.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word prophētēs describes someone who speaks on behalf of another. In the New Testament, this role is not primarily about predicting the future, but about declaring God’s will to people. When we read that Jesus or John the Baptist acted as a prophet, we see individuals who were moved by the Spirit to convey truth directly to listeners. This highlights that faith involves listening to God’s voice through those He has authorized.

Understanding this term helps us see how Scripture connects the old and new covenants. Jesus often referenced the prophets to show that His mission was the fulfillment of what was spoken long before. For believers today, this reminds us that God still speaks. We are invited to pay attention to His Word, recognizing that the same God who raised up ancient messengers is active in our lives now.

This perspective encourages a humble posture. We do not need to seek new revelations outside of Scripture, because the prophetic voice ultimately points us to Christ. Whether reading the Gospels or the letters of Paul, we encounter this consistent theme: God provides guidance through His chosen messengers to lead people into right relationship with Him.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 143 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • prophets38×
  • prophet30×
  • a prophet17×
  • prophets,8×
  • prophets.7×
  • Prophets6×
  • A prophet6×
  • prophets;4×
  • prophet.4×
  • prophets:3×
  • of prophets3×
  • than a prophet.2×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • προφήτης23×
  • προφήτου22×
  • προφητῶν21×
  • προφῆται14×
  • προφήτην10×
  • προφήτας9×
  • προφήταις7×
  • προφήτου.5×
  • προφητῶν,4×
  • προφῆται,3×
  • προφήτου·3×
  • προφήτας·3×

Key Verses

  • Matthew 11:9
    But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.

    Jesus uses this term to elevate John the Baptist above ordinary prophets, showing that John was the fulfillment of the prophetic promise preparing the way for the Messiah.

  • Matthew 21:26
    But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”

    This verse illustrates how the common people recognized John’s authority as a prophet, highlighting the social and spiritual impact of God’s messengers in first-century Judea.

  • Matthew 5:17
    “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.

    Here Jesus clarifies that His mission was not to abolish the prophetic tradition but to fulfill it, establishing continuity between the Hebrew Scriptures and His own ministry.

  • Matthew 21:11
    The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

    The crowd identifies Jesus specifically as 'the prophet,' reflecting an expectation that God would send a final messenger to reveal His will directly to Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does prophētēs mean in the New Testament?

It refers to a spokesperson who declares God’s message. While it can involve prediction, the primary focus is on conveying divine truth and will to people, acting as an authorized voice for God.

Is Jesus called a prophet in the Bible?

Yes, several passages identify Him as such. For example, Matthew 21:11 records the crowd calling Him 'the prophet,' and Luke 7:16 notes that people believed a great prophet had appeared among them.

How is this different from other spiritual gifts?

While all believers are called to witness, the specific gift of prophecy in the early church involved a distinct role of revealing God’s will. It shares the root meaning of speaking for another, but operates within the context of building up the church.

Every Occurrence (143 verses across 15 books)

Matthew 36 verses
Matthew 1:22

Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

Matthew 2:5

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,

Matthew 2:15

and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,…

Matthew 2:17

Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,

Matthew 2:23

and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he…

Matthew 3:3

For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the…

Matthew 4:14

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who…

Matthew 5:17

“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.

Matthew 7:12

Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 8:17

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our…

Matthew 10:41

He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in…

Matthew 11:9

But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.

Matthew 11:13

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Matthew 12:17

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

Matthew 12:39

But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the…

Matthew 13:17

For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t…

Matthew 13:35

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will…

Matthew 13:57

They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country and in…

Matthew 14:5

When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Matthew 16:4

An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the…

Matthew 16:14

They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Matthew 21:4

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,

Matthew 21:11

The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Matthew 21:26

But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”

Matthew 21:46

When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.

Matthew 22:40

The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Matthew 23:29

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the…

Matthew 23:30

and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have been partakers with them in the blood of the…

Matthew 23:31

Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets.

Matthew 23:34

Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of…

Matthew 23:37

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered…

Matthew 24:15

“When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in…

Matthew 26:56

But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and…

Matthew 27:9

Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver,…

Matthew 27:35

When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,

Mark 6 verses
Luke 30 verses
John 14 verses
Acts 30 verses
Romans 3 verses
I Corinthians 5 verses
Ephesians 3 verses
I Thessalonians 1 verse
Titus 1 verse
Hebrews 2 verses
James 1 verse
I Peter 1 verse
II Peter 2 verses
Revelation of John 8 verses