This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Stephen isn't just quoting Moses; he's highlighting that Moses himself pointed beyond himself to someone greater, emphasizing the obligation to listen to this future prophet. This reveals that true faithfulness involves recognizing and obeying God's ongoing revelation, not just clinging to past figures.
This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, emphasizing their repeated rejection of God's messengers, starting with Joseph. He has just detailed Moses' own rejection by the Israelites before God appointed him as a deliverer. By quoting Moses' prophecy about a future prophet like himself, Stephen is subtly pointing his accusers toward Jesus, while also highlighting their ancestors' pattern of defiance against God's chosen leaders.
Stephen quotes Moses himself, pointing to a future prophet. What made this future prophet so significant, and how was he 'like Moses'?
Stephen highlights a crucial prophecy from Moses in Deuteronomy 18:18. This wasn't just any prophet; it was a specific promise from God to raise up a prophet like Moses.
What 'Like Moses' Means:
The prophecy doesn't just announce a prophet; it issues a command. What happens when God sends a prophet, and people refuse to listen?
The prophecy from Deuteronomy, as quoted by Stephen, carries a weighty command: 'him shall ye hear.' This isn't a suggestion; it's a divine imperative.
The Weight of Hearing:
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Understand the original words
prophētēs · Greek Noun
A spokesperson for God, chosen and inspired by the Holy Spirit to communicate divine truth, rebuke sin, or foretell future events.
Stephen reminds his accusers that Moses himself promised another prophet like him, directly pointing to Jesus and highlighting their rejection of God's appointed deliverer, just as their ancestors rejected Moses.
c. 1440 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Moses leads the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, a pivotal moment of divine deliverance and covenant formation.
c. 1400 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God establishes the Mosaic Law through Moses, including the instructions and covenant terms for the people of Israel.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Deuteronomy 18 Prophecy
Moses delivers his final addresses to the Israelites, including the prophecy of a future prophet like himself whom they must obey.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and performing miracles, drawing parallels to the promised prophet.
c. 33 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and resurrected, fulfilling prophecies and offering salvation to believers.
c. 35 AD
Peter's Sermon in Jerusalem
Peter quotes the prophecy from Deuteronomy 18, applying it directly to Jesus as the promised prophet and Messiah.
c. 35 AD
Stephen's Defense and Martyrdom
Stephen recounts Israel's history, culminating in his accusation before the Sanhedrin, where he again references the prophecy of Moses.
This is the foundational Old Testament passage Stephen is quoting, where God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses from among the people.
Acts 3:22Peter quotes the very same prophecy from Deuteronomy, applying it to Jesus and showing that Stephen is continuing a consistent apostolic message.
John 5:46Jesus Himself references this prophecy, telling the Jewish leaders that if they truly believed Moses, they would believe Him, because Moses wrote about Him.
Hebrews 3:1-6This passage contrasts Moses, a faithful servant in God's house, with Jesus, the Son who presides over His house, highlighting Jesus' superior authority, much like Stephen is doing.
ellicottActs 7:37: "This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear."
(37) A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up. —The parallelism previously suggested is now distinctly proclaimed, and shown to be a fulfilment of the prediction of Deuteronomy 18:18 . The prediction itself is cited freely, as before. (See Note on Acts 3:22 .) The definite application of the words by St. Peter determine…
barnesActs 7:37: "This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear."
Which said ... - Deuteronomy 18:15 , Deuteronomy 18:18 . See this explained, Acts 3:22 . Stephen introduced this to remind them of the promise of a Messiah; to show his faith in that promise; and "particularly" to remind them of their obligation to hear and obey him.
Stephen isn't just quoting Moses; he's highlighting that Moses himself pointed beyond himself to someone greater, emphasizing the obligation to listen to this future prophet. This reveals that true faithfulness involves recognizing and obeying God's ongoing revelation, not just clinging to past figures.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, emphasizing their repeated rejection of God's messengers, starting with Joseph. He has just detailed Moses' own rejection by the Israelites before God appointed him as a deliverer. By quoting Moses' prophecy about a future prophet like himself, Stephen is subtly pointing his accusers toward Jesus, while also highlighting their ancestors' pattern of defiance against God's chosen leaders.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, emphasizing their repeated rejection of God's messengers, starting with Joseph. He has just detailed Moses' own rejection by the Israelites before God appointed him as a deliverer. By quoting Moses' prophecy about a future prophet like himself, Stephen is subtly pointing his accusers toward Jesus, while also highlighting their ancestors' pattern of defiance against God's chosen leaders.
"This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’" — Stephen isn't just quoting Moses; he's highlighting that Moses himself pointed beyond himself to someone greater, emphasizing the obligation to listen to this future prophet. This reveals that true…
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Last reviewed October 2026