The truly striking part here is that Moses doesn't just predict a prophet, but one "like me," emphasizing a unique role and authority. This comparison to Moses, their lawgiver and mediator, immediately elevates this coming prophet, making it clear they weren't just looking for another messenger but a divinely appointed leader to whom all must listen.
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. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter has just healed a man lame from birth in Jesus' name, causing a great crowd to gather. He's using this miracle as a launching pad to boldly declare that Jesus, whom the Jewish leaders had rejected and killed, is the promised Messiah. This verse is Peter's appeal to the authority of Moses, showing that obedience to Jesus was not a departure from their heritage but a fulfillment of their own Scriptures.
Peter is quoting Moses, but he's not just talking about any old prophet. He's pointing to someone unique, someone who fulfills this promise in a way no one else could.
A Promise Fulfilled
Moses, addressing the Israelites, foretold a future prophet "like me." This wasn't just about a general ability to foretell the future or teach.
The Jewish people eagerly awaited this prophet, often asking if various figures might be him. Peter’s message is clear: Jesus is that unparalleled prophet.
The command to 'hear him in all things' isn't a suggestion; it carries immense weight and serious consequences.
The Obligation to Obey
Peter's appeal to Moses' words carries a powerful implication: disobedience has severe repercussions.
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Understand the original words
exolethreūō · Greek Verb
To be utterly cut off or destroyed, often implying exclusion from God's people or eternal judgment for rejecting God’s word and His messenger.
Peter's sermon in Acts 3 hinges on Deuteronomy 18, a foundational text from Moses himself. By invoking this prophecy, Peter argues that Jesus is not just another prophet, but the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to speak through a unique mediator, establishing Jesus' authority and the people's obligation to obey Him above all.
c. 1440 BC
Moses Delivers the Law
Moses, the great prophet and lawgiver, leads the Israelites out of Egypt and receives the Law from God on Mount Sinai. This foundational event establishes Moses' unique authority and role among the people.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
Moses' Farewell Address
Before the Israelites enter the Promised Land, Moses delivers his final speeches, recorded in Deuteronomy, including the prophecy about a future prophet like himself who would come from among the people.
c. 1000 BC - 300 BC
The Era of the Prophets
Following Moses, numerous prophets like Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others arise, delivering God's messages to Israel and Judah, often calling the people back to covenant faithfulness.
c. 400 BC - AD 1
Period of Prophetic Silence
Following the prophet Malachi, there is a significant period with no new prophetic revelations from God to Israel, leading to heightened anticipation for the promised Messiah.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist appears, calling people to repentance and pointing to Jesus as the one who is to come. Many wonder if John himself is the promised prophet.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ministry and Resurrection
Jesus proclaims the good news, performs miracles, and is ultimately crucified and resurrected, fulfilling prophecies and demonstrating his unique authority.
c. AD 33
Peter's Sermon at the Temple
Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, preaches to the crowds in Jerusalem, boldly proclaiming Jesus as the promised Prophet foretold by Moses and urging them to listen to Him.
This is the primary Old Testament passage that Peter is quoting and applying, establishing the prophetic basis for Jesus' identity and authority.
Matthew 17:5This passage shows God the Father directly affirming Jesus as His beloved Son, commanding the disciples to 'listen to him,' echoing the command in Acts 3:22 to hear the prophet.
John 1:45Philip tells Nathanael that they have found the one spoken of in the Law of Moses and by the prophets, directly linking Jesus to these Old Testament expectations, including the prophecy cited in Acts 3:22.
Hebrews 1:1-2This passage explains that God's communication has culminated in His Son, who is superior to the prophets, thus highlighting why listening to Jesus, the prophet like Moses, is paramount.
John 5:46Jesus Himself states that if they believed Moses, they would believe Him, because Moses wrote about Him. This underscores the direct connection Peter makes in Acts 3.
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…
The truly striking part here is that Moses doesn't just predict a prophet, but one "like me," emphasizing a unique role and authority. This comparison to Moses, their lawgiver and mediator, immediately elevates this coming prophet, making it clear they weren't just looking for another messenger but a divinely appointed leader to whom all must listen.
Peter has just healed a man lame from birth in Jesus' name, causing a great crowd to gather. He's using this miracle as a launching pad to boldly declare that Jesus, whom the Jewish leaders had rejected and killed, is the promised Messiah. This verse is Peter's appeal to the authority of Moses, showing that obedience to Jesus was not a departure from their heritage but a fulfillment of their own Scriptures.
Peter has just healed a man lame from birth in Jesus' name, causing a great crowd to gather. He's using this miracle as a launching pad to boldly declare that Jesus, whom the Jewish leaders had rejected and killed, is the promised Messiah. This verse is Peter's appeal to the authority of Moses, showing that obedience to Jesus was not a departure from their heritage but a fulfillment of their own Scriptures.
"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. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’" — The truly striking part here is that Moses doesn't just predict a prophet, but one "like me," emphasizing a unique role and authority. This comparison to Moses, their lawgiver and mediator, immedia…
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Last reviewed October 2026
