Acts 7:37-38
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)
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Stephen isn't just quoting a prophecy; he's subtly highlighting that Moses himself pointed to someone greater, someone they were obligated to hear. This implies that rejecting Jesus wasn't just a rejection of a new teacher, but a defiance of Moses' own divine instruction.
Stephen is in the middle of a bold speech to the Jewish council, recounting Israel's history and highlighting their repeated rejection of God's messengers. He just finished describing how Moses himself was rejected by the Israelites at first, only to be sent by God as their deliverer. Now, he pivots to God's promise through Moses about a future prophet, directly linking this prophecy to Jesus.
Stephen is building a case, and this verse is a key piece of evidence. What makes this prophecy so significant?
Stephen is quoting Deuteronomy 18:18, a prophecy given by Moses himself. He emphasizes that God promised to raise up a prophet 'like me.' This isn't just any prophet; it's one who would share Moses' unique role as a mediator and law-giver, but ultimately point beyond himself.
Think about Moses: he was a deliverer, a leader, and a conduit of God's word to Israel. By invoking this specific prophecy, Stephen is doing two powerful things:
The prophecy doesn't just identify a future prophet; it includes a direct command. What are the implications of this command?
The prophecy doesn't end with 'a prophet like me.' It famously concludes with, 'him you shall hear.' This is not a suggestion; it's an imperative from God, delivered through Moses.
When Stephen quotes this, he's doing more than just recalling scripture. He's reminding his audience of their deep obligation:
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.
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 strategically invokes Moses' own prophecy of a future prophet like himself to underscore that rejecting Jesus is not merely a disagreement, but a continuation of Israel's pattern of defying God's chosen deliverers, a defiance Moses himself warned against.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Led by Moses, the Israelites are delivered from slavery in Egypt. This foundational event establishes Moses as a divinely appointed leader and lawgiver.
c. 1406 BC
Giving of the Law
Moses delivers the Law from God on Mount Sinai, including the commands and statutes that would guide Israel's life and worship. This includes the prophetic promise cited.
c. 1375 BC
Moses' Death
Moses dies and is succeeded by Joshua, having led the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land but not entering it himself.
c. 760 BC
Prophecy of Isaiah
The prophet Isaiah delivers messages from God, sometimes referencing the coming deliverer and king that would establish an everlasting kingdom.
c. 400 BC
This is the foundational prophecy that Stephen is quoting, directly from the Old Testament Law given through Moses.
Acts 3:22Peter also quoted this exact prophecy concerning Moses when preaching about Jesus, drawing a direct parallel between Jesus and this promised prophet.
John 5:46Jesus himself referenced this passage, telling the crowds that if they truly believed Moses, they would believe Him, as Moses wrote about Him.
Hebrews 3:1-6This passage contrasts the faithfulness of Moses as a servant in God's house with the greater faithfulness of Christ as the Son over His house, showing how Christ is superior even to 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 himself pointed to someone greater, someone they were obligated to hear. This implies that rejecting Jesus wasn't just a rejection of a new teacher, but a defiance of Moses' own divine instruction.
Stephen is in the middle of a bold speech to the Jewish council, recounting Israel's history and highlighting their repeated rejection of God's messengers. He just finished describing how Moses himself was rejected by the Israelites at first, only to be sent by God as their deliverer. Now, he pivots to God's promise through Moses about a future prophet, directly linking this prophecy to Jesus.
Stephen is in the middle of a bold speech to the Jewish council, recounting Israel's history and highlighting their repeated rejection of God's messengers. He just finished describing how Moses himself was rejected by the Israelites at first, only to be sent by God as their deliverer. Now, he pivots to God's promise through Moses about a future prophet, directly linking this prophecy to Jesus.
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Completion of Old Testament Canon
The books of the Old Testament, including Deuteronomy, are compiled and accepted as Scripture, solidifying the prophetic promise about a future prophet.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ministry and Resurrection
Jesus begins his public ministry, performing miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God, culminating in his resurrection. This fulfills the prophecy spoken by Moses.
c. AD 33-35— this verse
Stephen's Defense and Martyrdom
Stephen, accused of blasphemy, recounts Israel's history, highlighting their repeated rejection of God's messengers, including Moses and Jesus. He cites Moses' prophecy of a future prophet, directly linking it to Jesus.
"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 himself pointed to someone greater, someone they were obligated to hear. This implies that rejecting Jesus wasn't just a r…
