a prophet like me: This would be extraordinary because Moses had no equal among the prophets (see 34:10–11). This prophet would come from among your brothers. Israel had to listen to him (18:19). The prophets of Old Testament Israel would partially fulfill the role of God's spokesmen. Israel had to obey them.
Later, Judaism anticipated this prophet as a key messianic figure (see John 1:21; 6:14; 7:40). The New Testament identifies Jesus as this prophet (Acts 3:18–26).