Simply Put – "Prophet" (January 6, 2026)

Host: Barry Cooper
Theme: Understanding the Biblical and Theological Meaning of “Prophet”

Episode Overview

In this episode of Simply Put, Barry Cooper unpacks the term “prophet”—one of those dense theological words often encountered in Scripture but easily misunderstood or reduced to simplistic ideas. Using personal anecdotes, Bible references, and clear language, Cooper explains what prophets really do throughout the Bible and demonstrates how Jesus Christ is the ultimate, final, and most complete Prophet.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Anecdote: Mistaken Identities

• [00:00-00:56]

  • Barry begins with a humorous story about starting a "financial consultancy" called “Profit” (with an "F") as a teenager, drawing a playful distinction between “profit” (money) and “prophet” (one who speaks for God).

  “The name was by far the cleverest part of the whole thing. Because in reality, neither of us were prophets with a ‘ph’, and therefore no one made any profit with an ‘F’.” (Barry Cooper, 00:49)

2. Popular Misconceptions about Prophets

• [01:00-01:14]
  • Barry notes that many people reduce prophets to mere fortune-tellers, but biblically, their role is much broader.

3. Biblical Role of the Prophet

• [01:15-02:25]
  • Prophets are God’s spokespersons, sent to remind Israel of their covenant with God, call people to repent, and urge them to trust God.
  • Prediction of the future was only one aspect; primary emphasis was on proclaiming God’s word and urging right relationship with Him.

4. Christ as the Ultimate Prophet

• [02:26-03:30]

  • Jesus fulfills and transcends the Old Testament office of prophet.
  • Hebrews 1 is quoted:

    “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. But in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son…”
    (Barry quoting Hebrews 1, 02:41)

  • All previous prophets point forward to Christ.

• [03:31-04:26]

  • Acts 10:43 and Peter’s statement:

    “To Christ all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
    (Barry quoting Peter, 03:55)

  • Jesus is not only a prophet, but the fulfillment of all prophecy.

5. Old Testament Prophecies about ‘The Prophet’

• [04:27-05:02]

  • Deuteronomy 18: Moses describes a future prophet whom the people should heed.
  • Both Peter and Stephen interpret this as pointing to Jesus in the book of Acts.

  “It is to him you shall listen.” (Barry quoting Moses, 04:40)

• [05:03-05:30]

  • Jesus Himself asserts:

    “Everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Barry quoting Jesus, 05:12)

6. Evidence of Christ’s Prophetic Identity

• [05:31-06:30]
  • Miracles confirm the crowds’ recognition:

    “A great prophet has arisen among us.” (Barry quoting eyewitnesses, 05:37)

  • During Jesus’s triumphal entry:

    “This is the prophet Jesus.” (Barry quoting the crowds, 06:05)

  • Jesus self-identifies as a prophet:

    “It cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.” (Barry quoting Jesus, 06:22)

7. Jesus, More Than a Prophet

• [06:30-07:49]

  • Unlike previous prophets, Jesus doesn’t merely speak for God—He speaks as God Himself.

  • Jesus is the living, incarnate Word of God.

  • Jesus not only predicts the future (like earlier prophets), but He is the central figure in that future—as judge and king.

  • Jesus calls all people to repentance, but with a unique authority:

    “This prophet, being himself God, called people to turn to him.” (Barry Cooper, 07:32)

  • Distinctive Climax:

    “He doesn’t just point the way to the Father as the earlier prophets did. He himself is the way. Because it’s only through his death and resurrection that anyone is reconciled to God.” (Barry Cooper, 07:37-07:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Neither of us were prophets with a ‘ph’, and therefore no one made any profit with an ‘F’.”
  (Barry Cooper’s humorous anecdote, 00:49)

• “A prophet, a true prophet, as opposed to a false prophet, is a person who predicts the future and predicts it accurately. Biblically speaking, that's true, but there's more to it than that.”
  (Barry Cooper clarifying misconceptions, 01:10)

• “Jesus Christ is also the ultimate prophet because all the other biblical prophets point to Him.”
  (Barry Cooper, 03:30)

• “He doesn’t just point the way to the Father as the earlier prophets did. He himself is the way. Because it’s only through his death and resurrection that anyone is reconciled to God.”
  (Barry Cooper, 07:38-07:49)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00-00:54: Introduction—Barry’s story about “Profit” vs. “Prophet”
• 01:10: Popular ideas about prophets
• 01:15-02:25: What the Bible says about prophets’ role
• 02:26-03:30: Jesus as prophet according to Hebrews; prophets point to Him
• 03:31-04:26: Acts: All prophets bear witness to Christ
• 04:27-05:17: Moses, Deuteronomy, and Christ as the fulfillment
• 05:31-06:30: Gospel accounts: Jesus as prophet recognized by crowds, by Himself
• 06:30-07:49: Jesus as more than a prophet—He is God, He is the way

Conclusion

Barry Cooper distills the dense concept of “prophet” into a clear, accessible explanation. While prophets are often thought of as mere fortune tellers, biblically they are first and foremost mouthpieces for God, calling His people back to faithfulness. Jesus Christ is not just part of this tradition—He is its culmination: the ultimate and final Prophet who is also God Himself, the one who not only tells God’s truth, but is Himself the Living Word and the only way to the Father.

If you have a theological word or concept for Barry to explain, you can email him at simplyput@ligonier.org.

Simply Put is a podcast from Ligonier Ministries.