Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter's quotation highlights that this prophet would be "like me," emphasizing a profound similarity to Moses not just as a divine messenger, but as a mediator and lawgiver for God's people. This "likeness" points to someone who would establish a new covenant and lead God's people in a similar, yet ultimately superior, way to how Moses led Israel out of Egypt.
Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is addressing the crowd after healing a man crippled from birth, explaining that this miracle, and Jesus himself, are not their own doing but God's. He reminds them that they rejected and killed Jesus, the very one God raised up to save them, and now God is extending that offer of salvation through Jesus to them and the Gentiles. This verse is Peter's powerful argument, pointing to Moses' own words to show that they were obligated by their own law to listen to Jesus, the promised prophet.
When we hear 'prophet,' we might think of someone predicting the future. But Moses's words, quoted here, point to so much more.
A Prophet's True Role
Peter is using these words from Deuteronomy to point to Jesus, but it's crucial to understand the scope of this promised prophet.
Moses declared this future prophet would be 'like me.' What does that similarity mean, and why is it so significant for Peter's argument?
Echoes of Moses, Exalted in Christ
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The phrase 'like unto me' is key. It doesn't mean an exact duplicate, but highlights specific, crucial parallels that point directly to Jesus.
Peter doesn't just present a promise; he presents a solemn warning tied to this prophet. What's at stake for those who refuse to hear?
The Weight of Divine Instruction
This prophecy isn't just a suggestion; it carries the weight of God's judgment. The command to listen comes with a stark consequence.
Peter's sermon powerfully connects Jesus to Moses, leveraging the authority of Israel's foundational lawgiver to argue that Jesus is the ultimate prophet God promised, whom all must obey.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt and the Law
Under Moses' leadership, the Israelites are freed from slavery in Egypt. God gives them the Law through Moses, establishing him as a central prophet and lawgiver.
c. 1400 BC
The Book of Deuteronomy Promulgated
Moses delivers his final addresses to the Israelites, including the prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:15-19 about a future prophet like himself, recorded in the book of Deuteronomy.
c. 900 BC - 400 BC
Period of the Later Prophets
This era sees the writing of many prophetic books, including those of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Malachi, extending God's message to Israel and Judah.
c. 400 BC - AD 1
The Silent Centuries
A period of approximately 400 years with no recorded prophetic messages from God, leading many Jews to anticipate the coming of a significant new prophetic voice.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Teachings
Jesus begins his public ministry, performing miracles and teaching with unparalleled authority, fulfilling many messianic prophecies.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is crucified but rises from the dead, demonstrating his divine authority and power over death.
c. AD 33— this verse
Peter's Sermon in the Temple Courtyard
Peter preaches to the crowds in Jerusalem following the healing of a lame man, boldly identifying Jesus as the promised Prophet of Deuteronomy.
This is the foundational Old Testament passage that Peter is quoting, laying out God's promise to raise up a prophet like Moses whom the people must obey.
John 1:45This verse shows Philip telling Nathanael that Jesus is the one prophesied by Moses, demonstrating how the promise in Acts 3:22 was understood as fulfilled in Jesus.
Hebrews 3:1This passage directly compares Jesus to Moses, calling Him the 'apostle and high priest of our confession,' echoing the theme of obedience to this divinely appointed leader.
Matthew 17:5At Jesus' transfiguration, a voice from the cloud declared, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him!' This divine command to 'listen' directly parallels the command in Acts 3:22 to hear the prophet.
Deuteronomy 18:19This verse, also from the same context Peter quotes, warns of severe consequences for disobedience to the prophet, underscoring the absolute authority Peter is attributing to Jesus.
barnesActs 3:22: "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you."
For Moses truly said - The authority of Moses among the Jews was absolute and final. It was of great importance, therefore, to show not only that they were not departing from his Law, but that he had actually foretold these very things. The object of the passage is not to prove that the heavens m…
calvinActs 3:22-24: "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you."
- Moses truly said unto the fathers, The Lord your God shall raise up a Prophet unto you of your brethren, [like unto me;] him shall ye hear, according to all things which he shall speak unto you. 23. And it shall come to pass, that every soul which shall not hear that Prophet shall be destr…
Peter's quotation highlights that this prophet would be "like me," emphasizing a profound similarity to Moses not just as a divine messenger, but as a mediator and lawgiver for God's people. This "likeness" points to someone who would establish a new covenant and lead God's people in a similar, yet ultimately superior, way to how Moses led Israel out of Egypt.
Peter is addressing the crowd after healing a man crippled from birth, explaining that this miracle, and Jesus himself, are not their own doing but God's. He reminds them that they rejected and killed Jesus, the very one God raised up to save them, and now God is extending that offer of salvation through Jesus to them and the Gentiles. This verse is Peter's powerful argument, pointing to Moses' own words to show that they were obligated by their own law to listen to Jesus, the promised prophet.
Peter is addressing the crowd after healing a man crippled from birth, explaining that this miracle, and Jesus himself, are not their own doing but God's. He reminds them that they rejected and killed Jesus, the very one God raised up to save them, and now God is extending that offer of salvation through Jesus to them and the Gentiles. This verse is Peter's powerful argument, pointing to Moses' own words to show that they were obligated by their own law to listen to Jesus, the promised prophet.
"Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you." — Peter's quotation highlights that this prophet would be "like me," emphasizing a profound similarity to Moses not just as a divine messenger, but as a mediator and lawgiver for God's people. This "li…
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Last reviewed October 2026