The verse highlights that even while Joseph's own brothers, the patriarchs, were fueled by envy and acted wickedly to remove him, God's presence and purpose were already actively at work with Joseph. This demonstrates a profound truth: human sin and opposition don't derail God's ultimate plan, but can even become the very means through which He works.
“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, starting with their ancestors. He's highlighting a pattern of rejection and suffering that God's chosen people, and eventually Jesus Himself, would face. This verse specifically points to Joseph, whose own brothers, driven by envy, sold him into slavery, yet God remained with him and ultimately elevated him.
What drives people to hurt those they love? Stephen points to a destructive force that has plagued humanity since the very beginning of the Israelite family.
Stephen kicks off his sermon by highlighting the deep-seated sin of envy among Joseph's brothers.
A Root of Bitterness
Genesis tells us they hated Joseph because their father loved him more, and because of his dreams of superiority. This envy festered into a plot to get rid of him.
The Act of Betrayal
They didn't just hate him; they sold him. While the immediate buyers were traders, their intention was clear: to send Joseph away, alienating him from his family and homeland. This betrayal, born of envy, set in motion a chain of events with devastating immediate consequences for Joseph and significant long-term impacts for the entire family of Jacob.
When betrayal and hardship strike, where is God? Stephen reminds us that His presence isn't limited by our circumstances or the actions of others.
Despite the profound wickedness of Joseph's brothers, Stephen immediately pivots to God's active involvement.
Immanuel, God With Us
The phrase 'God was with him' is a powerful declaration. It signifies not just passive observation, but God's protective, guiding, and purposeful presence with Joseph throughout his ordeal in Egypt.
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Providence Over Human Plots
This doesn't mean God endorsed the brothers' sin. Far from it. It means that even amidst their sinful actions and Joseph's suffering, God was working His sovereign purposes. He was with Joseph in the slavery, in the false accusations, and in the prison – ensuring that His ultimate plan for Joseph, and for Israel, would not be thwarted.
Understand the original words
zelos · Greek Noun
A feeling of resentment or bitterness toward someone else's status, possessions, or favor; in Scripture, it is a destructive sin often leading to hatred and violence.
exaireo · Greek Verb
To bring someone out of danger or confinement; it is used frequently to describe God's saving power in delivering His people from oppression.
charis · Greek Noun
Divine grace or acceptance shown to an individual, often resulting in elevation or protection by those in authority.
sophia · Greek Noun
The God-given ability to perceive reality correctly and make decisions according to His will; it is seen as a gift that allows for godly leadership.
Stephen highlights how even from the earliest days, the chosen people, including the patriarchs themselves, acted out of jealousy and betrayal. Yet, God's presence with Joseph, and His ultimate purpose in using this hardship for the deliverance of his family, demonstrates that God's plan cannot be thwarted by human sin.
c. 1745 BC— this verse
Jacob's family settles in Canaan
Jacob and his twelve sons, including Joseph, settle in the land of Canaan, setting the stage for the narrative of Joseph's betrayal.
c. 1735 BC
Joseph is sold by his brothers
Driven by envy and jealousy over their father's favor and Joseph's dreams, his brothers sell him to Ishmaelite traders who take him to Egypt.
c. 1735 BC
Joseph arrives in Egypt
Joseph is sold again in Egypt to Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh, beginning his rise from slavery.
c. 1728 BC
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams
After years of hardship and false accusation, Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh, foretelling a great famine.
c. 1728 BC
Joseph becomes ruler of Egypt
Recognizing Joseph's divine wisdom and competence, Pharaoh appoints him second-in-command over all of Egypt.
c. 1715 BC
Jacob's family comes to Egypt
During the famine, Jacob and his entire family migrate to Egypt, where they are reunited with Joseph and given land to settle.
This passage directly states that Joseph's brothers were envious of him, providing the motivation for their actions described in Acts 7:9.
Genesis 39:2-3This passage highlights God's presence with Joseph in Egypt, demonstrating the truth of the second part of Stephen's statement and showing God's redemptive plan unfolding despite human wickedness.
Psalm 105:17-22This Psalm recounts the story of Joseph, emphasizing God's role in delivering and exalting him, reinforcing the theme of God's sovereignty and presence even in suffering and injustice.
Romans 8:28This New Testament verse echoes the principle shown in Joseph's story, that God works all things, even evil intentions and actions, for good to those who love Him, serving as a theological parallel to God being with Joseph.
Acts 7:51-53Stephen draws a direct parallel between the patriarchs' rejection of Joseph and the generation he is speaking to, showing a recurring pattern of rejecting God's messengers and thus highlighting the grave consequences of their actions.
ellicottActs 7:9: "And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,"
(9) The patriarchs, moved with envy. —This, interpreted by what follows, is the first step in the long induction which is to show that the elect of God had always been opposed and rejected by those who were for the time the representatives of the nation. Envy had actuated the patriarchs when they sold Joseph; envy had led their descendants to deliver up Jesus ( Matthew 27:18 ). But man’s evil will had…
barnesActs 7:9: "And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,"
Moved with envy - That is, dissatisfied with the favor which their father Jacob showed Joseph, and envious at the dreams which indicated that he was to be raised to remarkable honor above his parents and brethren, Genesis 37:3-11 . Sold Joseph into Egypt - Sold him, that he might be taken to Egypt. This was done at the suggestion of "Judah," who advised it that Joseph might not be put to death by his…
The verse highlights that even while Joseph's own brothers, the patriarchs, were fueled by envy and acted wickedly to remove him, God's presence and purpose were already actively at work with Joseph. This demonstrates a profound truth: human sin and opposition don't derail God's ultimate plan, but can even become the very means through which He works.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, starting with their ancestors. He's highlighting a pattern of rejection and suffering that God's chosen people, and eventually Jesus Himself, would face. This verse specifically points to Joseph, whose own brothers, driven by envy, sold him into slavery, yet God remained with him and ultimately elevated him.
Stephen is recounting the history of Israel, starting with their ancestors. He's highlighting a pattern of rejection and suffering that God's chosen people, and eventually Jesus Himself, would face. This verse specifically points to Joseph, whose own brothers, driven by envy, sold him into slavery, yet God remained with him and ultimately elevated him.
"“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his househ…" — The verse highlights that even while Joseph's own brothers, the patriarchs, were fueled by envy and acted wickedly to remove him, God's presence and purpose were already actively at work with Joseph.…
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Last reviewed October 2026
