Muhammad as a False Prophet in Light of Matthew 24:11: A Theological Examination
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
Abstract
The words of Jesus in Matthew 24:11, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many,” remain one of the most pressing eschatological warnings to the Christian church. This paper argues that Muhammad, the founder of Islam, exemplifies this prophetic warning by fulfilling the criteria of false prophecy and antichrist outlined in Scripture. Through biblical exegesis, theological analysis, and historical reflection, this study demonstrates that Muhammad’s denial of Christ’s Sonship, crucifixion, and resurrection positions him as one of the “false prophets” prophesied by Christ and as a representative of the antichrist spirit described by John.
1. Introduction
Throughout history, the Christian church has wrestled with identifying the false prophets and deceivers forewarned by Jesus. The advent of Islam in the 7th century introduced a religious system that rapidly expanded across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond, claiming prophetic legitimacy through Muhammad. Given the scope of Islam’s influence, it is essential to examine Muhammad within the biblical framework of prophecy, deception, and antichrist. This article contends that Muhammad aligns precisely with the biblical description of a false prophet and must be understood as one of the agents of deception predicted by Christ in Matthew 24:11.
2. Exegesis of Matthew 24:11 and Related Texts
2.1. Matthew 24:5 and 24:11 in Context
Jesus’ Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24) contains eschatological warnings about deception and false prophets. Verse 5 states: “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” This statement is not limited to individuals claiming personal messiahship but also extends to those who invoke Christ’s identity while corrupting His mission and nature. Verse 11 complements this by identifying the rise of multiple false prophets who would lead many astray.
2.2. Deuteronomy 13:1–5 as a Prophetic Criterion
Deuteronomy outlines that a prophet who leads the people away from the true worship of Yahweh must be rejected, even if accompanied by signs and wonders. This Old Testament framework shapes the New Testament understanding of false prophecy. Any teaching that diminishes or redirects worship away from the revealed God—fulfilled in Christ—is inherently false.
2.3. Johannine Criteria for Antichrist
The Johannine epistles provide sharper contours. 1 John 2:22 identifies the antichrist as one who denies Jesus as the Christ and denies the Father and the Son. 1 John 4:3 adds that the spirit of the antichrist denies the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Muhammad’s message aligns with both criteria: he affirmed Jesus as “al-Masih” (Messiah) but denied His divine Sonship, incarnation, and crucifixion.
3. Muhammad as a False Prophet
3.1. The Denial of Christ’s Crucifixion
The Qur’an categorically denies the crucifixion of Jesus (Qur’an 4:157), replacing the historical and theological cornerstone of Christianity with an alternative narrative. By doing so, Muhammad undermines the apostolic proclamation that Christ died for sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). This substitution constitutes the very “deception” Jesus foretold: acknowledging Christ in name while rejecting His redemptive work.
3.2. The Rejection of Divine Sonship
The Qur’an explicitly denies Jesus as the Son of God (Qur’an 5:72). This rejection not only conflicts with the Gospel accounts (Matthew 3:17; John 3:16) but directly fulfills the Johannine description of antichrist. Muhammad’s teaching strips Christ of His unique identity as the incarnate Word (John 1:14), reducing Him to a mere prophet.
3.3. The Self-Exaltation of Muhammad as “Seal of the Prophets”
By declaring himself the “Seal of the Prophets” (Qur’an 33:40), Muhammad places his revelation above that of Christ and the apostles. This self-exaltation mirrors the scriptural motif of false prophets who claim divine authority while opposing God’s true revelation.
4. Historical Reflections
4.1. Early Christian Responses to Islam
Church fathers and medieval theologians recognized the threat of Islam as a counterfeit revelation. John of Damascus (8th century), one of the earliest Christian apologists against Islam, labeled it a Christian heresy, emphasizing its denial of Christ’s divinity and redemptive work. Thomas Aquinas later critiqued Islam’s rejection of reasoned theological truths in Summa Contra Gentiles. Their writings underscore the church’s consistent recognition of Islam as a theological deception.
4.2. Islam’s Global Deception
Today, Islam encompasses nearly two billion adherents, making it the second largest religion worldwide. This reality highlights the gravity of Jesus’ prophecy: “and shall deceive many.” Muhammad’s influence cannot be viewed as peripheral but as a central fulfillment of Christ’s eschatological warning.
5. Muhammad and the Antichrist Spirit
The New Testament presents antichrist not solely as an individual but also as a spiritual force operating through multiple figures and systems. Muhammad’s role as the architect of a faith that denies Christ’s divine nature, crucifixion, and resurrection aligns precisely with this spirit. Thus, Muhammad may rightly be considered both a false prophet and a manifestation of the antichrist spirit.
6. Conclusion
The biblical data, when placed in conversation with history and theology, support the conclusion that Muhammad fulfills the description of a false prophet prophesied by Jesus in Matthew 24:11. His teachings distort the identity of Christ, deny the essentials of the Gospel, and have deceived multitudes across centuries. Furthermore, his denial of the Sonship and crucifixion of Christ situates him within the Johannine definition of the antichrist. While Matthew 24:11 leaves room for multiple false prophets, Muhammad stands as one of the most historically significant fulfillments of this prophecy.
References
The Holy Bible (ESV, NIV, KJV)
The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali Translation)
John of Damascus, Heresies (Book 100: On the Ishmaelites).
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles, Book I.
Craig L. Blomberg, Matthew (The New American Commentary).
F. F. Bruce, The Epistles of John.
Norman L. Geisler & Abdul Saleeb, Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross.
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