Stephen isn't just quoting a prophecy; he's subtly highlighting that Moses, whom his accusers revere, himself pointed to a greater authority beyond him. This emphasizes that rejecting Jesus isn't a rejection of Moses, but a rejection of the very path Moses himself laid out for them.
This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, highlighting their repeated rejection of God's chosen leaders, including Moses himself. He's building toward a confrontation, showing how this pattern of disobedience continues even in his own time, as he's about to directly accuse his listeners of rejecting Jesus just as their ancestors rejected Moses.
Stephen is standing trial, facing a hostile crowd. Why does he bring up Moses and a prophecy from the Old Testament?
Stephen is strategically using the Law and the Prophets, the very Scriptures his accusers claim to uphold, to make his case. He quotes Deuteronomy 18:18, where Moses himself foretold that God would raise up a prophet 'like me.'
This isn't just any prophet; Moses was a unique figure—a deliverer, a lawgiver, and a mediator. By highlighting this prophecy, Stephen is showing that God promised a future leader who would fulfill and surpass Moses' own ministry. This points directly to Jesus, whom Stephen implicitly identifies as this promised prophet.
The prophecy doesn't just announce a prophet; it includes a crucial command. What is it, and why is it so significant here?
The verse doesn't end with the announcement of the prophet; it emphatically states, 'him you shall hear.' This isn't a suggestion; it's a divine command. God gave Moses to Israel as a deliverer and mediator, and now Moses points them to someone even greater.
For Stephen's audience, who were rejecting Jesus, this command was a direct challenge. By refusing to listen to Jesus, they weren't just ignoring a teacher; they were disobeying God and despising the very Messiah that Moses foretold. Stephen is highlighting their stubborn disobedience by drawing attention to this clear instruction from God through Moses.
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prophētēs · Greek Noun
A spokesperson for God, chosen and inspired by the Holy Spirit to communicate divine truth, rebuke sin, or foretell future events.
ekklēsia · Greek Noun
A gathering or assembly of people, often used in the New Testament to describe the body of believers or the assembly of Israel under the covenant.
angelos · Greek Noun
A spiritual being created by God to serve as a messenger, ministering spirit, or agent of divine intervention in human affairs.
logia zōnta · Greek Noun (plural)
The authoritative, life-giving revelation of God’s will and promises, specifically referring to the Word of God which possesses the power to transform and direct human life.
Stephen uses Moses' own words to show his audience that rejecting Jesus is consistent with their ancestors' pattern of rejecting God's appointed leaders. He points to a prophecy given by Moses himself, which Stephen and the early church believe points directly to Jesus.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Under Moses' leadership, the Israelites are liberated from slavery in Egypt. This event marks the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land and establishes Moses as their primary leader and lawgiver.
c. 1406 BC
Moses' Farewell Address
As the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, Moses delivers his final teachings, including the prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:18 about a future prophet like himself.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30/33
Life of Jesus
Jesus Christ lives, teaches, performs miracles, and is ultimately crucified and resurrected. His ministry is seen by believers as the fulfillment of prophecies, including the one spoken by Moses.
c. AD 30-33
Pentecost and Early Church
Following Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit empowers the disciples, leading to the rapid spread of the gospel and the formation of the early Christian church.
c. AD 32-35— this verse
Stephen's Trial and Martyrdom
Stephen, a follower of Jesus, is arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin. He recounts Israel's history, highlighting their repeated rejection of God's messengers, culminating in his accusation of rejecting Jesus. This verse is spoken during his defense.
This is the foundational Old Testament passage from which Stephen is quoting, foretelling a prophet like Moses whom Israel would be obligated to obey.
Acts 3:22Peter also quoted this exact prophecy from Deuteronomy in his sermon, applying it to Jesus and showing Stephen's continuity of argument.
John 5:46Jesus himself pointed to Moses' writings as bearing witness to him, suggesting that truly believing Moses would lead one to believe in Christ.
Hebrews 3:3This passage highlights Moses' role as a servant in God's house, but explicitly states that Jesus has been counted worthy of far greater honor, positioning Christ above Moses.
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 a prophecy; he's subtly highlighting that Moses, whom his accusers revere, himself pointed to a greater authority beyond him. This emphasizes that rejecting Jesus isn't a rejection of Moses, but a rejection of the very path Moses himself laid out for them.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, highlighting their repeated rejection of God's chosen leaders, including Moses himself. He's building toward a confrontation, showing how this pattern of disobedience continues even in his own time, as he's about to directly accuse his listeners of rejecting Jesus just as their ancestors rejected Moses.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, highlighting their repeated rejection of God's chosen leaders, including Moses himself. He's building toward a confrontation, showing how this pattern of disobedience continues even in his own time, as he's about to directly accuse his listeners of rejecting Jesus just as their ancestors rejected Moses.
"This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fath…" — Stephen isn't just quoting a prophecy; he's subtly highlighting that Moses, whom his accusers revere, himself pointed to a greater authority beyond him. This emphasizes that rejecting Jesus isn't a r…
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Last reviewed October 2026
