Acts 7:23

KJV

And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when {G5613} he {G846} was full {G4137} forty years {G5063} old {G5550}, it came {G305} into {G1909} his {G846} heart {G2588} to visit {G1980} his {G846} brethren {G80} the children {G5207} of Israel {G2474}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“But when he was forty years old, the thought came to him to visit his brothers, the people of Isra’el.

Berean Standard Bible

When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.

American Standard Version

But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:23, delivered by Stephen in his defense before the Sanhedrin, marks a pivotal moment in the life of Moses, highlighting his divinely orchestrated preparation and the profound internal prompting that led him to identify with his enslaved Israelite brethren. After forty years of Egyptian royal training, Moses' heart was stirred to acknowledge and engage with the suffering of his people, setting the stage for his eventual role as their deliverer. This verse underscores themes of divine timing, compassionate identification, and the inner call to purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:23 is situated within Stephen's lengthy and comprehensive historical recounting of Israel's relationship with God, presented as his defense against accusations of blasphemy. Following his summary of Abraham's call and the patriarchs' journey, Stephen shifts focus to Moses, detailing his birth, rescue, and education in Egypt, as described in [Acts 7:20-22](/acts/7-20-22 "Acts 7:20-22 - Moses' Early Life and Education"). Verse 23 specifically transitions from Moses' privileged upbringing to the turning point where he consciously turns toward his Israelite heritage and the plight of his people. This narrative serves Stephen's broader argument that Israel consistently resisted God's chosen deliverers, culminating in their rejection of Jesus, the ultimate Deliverer.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moses' life unfolded within the oppressive context of Egyptian pharaonic rule, where the Israelites had been reduced to slavery, enduring harsh labor and systemic dehumanization. Raised in Pharaoh's court, Moses would have been steeped in the sophisticated culture, education, and military training of ancient Egypt, as Stephen notes in [Acts 7:22](/acts/7-22 "Acts 7:22 - Moses' Egyptian Education"). This privileged position offered him a life of power and comfort, entirely separate from the suffering of his biological family. His decision to "visit his brethren" was thus a radical act of renunciation of his Egyptian status and a profound embrace of his true ethnic and spiritual identity, aligning himself with the marginalized and oppressed.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Stephen's sermon and the book of Acts. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Timing and Preparation**, illustrating God's meticulous, often lengthy, preparation of His chosen instruments, as seen in Moses' first forty years. Secondly, it highlights **Identification with God's People**, showcasing Moses' profound compassion and willingness to forsake personal privilege to stand in solidarity with the suffering. This act foreshadows the call for believers to identify with the marginalized and oppressed, echoing the example of Christ himself. Thirdly, the phrase "it came into his heart" speaks to an **Internal Calling and Purpose**, suggesting a deep-seated conviction or divine stirring that compelled Moses towards his destiny, a theme central to the Spirit-led ministry depicted throughout [the book of Acts](/acts/1 "The Book of Acts - The Early Church").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **full (Greek, _plēróō'_):** From G4137, this word signifies "to make replete," "to fill up," or "to complete." In the context of "full forty years old," it denotes the completion or fulfillment of a specific period of time. It implies that Moses had reached the appointed end of his first life stage, fully completing the forty years of his Egyptian preparation, making him ready for the next phase of God's plan.
* **heart (Greek, _kardía'_):** From G2588, this term refers to the physical organ, but more profoundly, it is used figuratively to denote the center of one's thoughts, feelings, will, and moral character—the inner person or mind. When something "came into his heart," it indicates a deep-seated conviction, a profound internal inclination, or a strong, deliberate intention that originated from within Moses' innermost being, rather than a superficial or fleeting thought.
* **visit (Greek, _episképtomai'_):** From G1980, this word means "to inspect," and by implication, "to select," "to go to see," or "to relieve." It suggests more than a casual call; it implies an intentional, purposeful visit with a view to observe, understand, and potentially intervene or provide relief. Moses' intention was not merely to see his brethren but to engage with their condition and assess their plight, indicating a burgeoning sense of responsibility and a desire to act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he was full forty years old":** This clause establishes a precise chronological marker in Moses' life. The "forty years" signifies a completed period of preparation and maturation. It emphasizes God's sovereign timing, indicating that Moses' human development and Egyptian training had reached their divinely appointed culmination, making him ready for the next phase of his calling. This period was essential for his education and understanding of the very system he would later confront.
* **"it came into his heart":** This phrase describes a profound internal impetus. It indicates that the idea or desire to connect with his people was not an external suggestion but an deeply rooted conviction or stirring within Moses' innermost being. This suggests a growing awareness of his true identity and a burgeoning sense of divine purpose, perhaps even a divinely inspired impulse that transcended his privileged upbringing.
* **"to visit his brethren the children of Israel":** This final clause reveals the specific outcome of Moses' internal prompting. His intention was to "visit" them, implying a purposeful engagement rather than a casual encounter. The designation "his brethren the children of Israel" underscores his recognition of his shared heritage and solidarity with the enslaved people, despite his royal upbringing. This act was a conscious choice to identify with the oppressed and suffering, foreshadowing his future role as their deliverer.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's narrative in Acts 7:23 employs several literary devices. The mention of "forty years old" serves as **Symbolism**, as the number forty frequently appears in biblical narratives to denote periods of testing, preparation, judgment, or divine appointment (e.g., the forty years in the wilderness, forty days of rain in the flood). Here, it symbolizes a completed cycle of training and readiness for Moses' divine mission. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as Moses' internal desire "to visit his brethren" and identify with their suffering clearly anticipates and sets the stage for his later, divinely appointed role as their deliverer from Egyptian bondage. His initial compassionate impulse is a precursor to the grander redemptive act God would accomplish through him. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the narrative: Moses, raised in the very palace of the oppressor, chooses to align himself with the oppressed. This stark contrast highlights the unexpected nature of God's chosen instruments and the power of an awakened conscience or divine calling to transcend worldly loyalties and privileges.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:23 profoundly illustrates the principle of divine providence and the often-hidden preparatory work of God in the lives of His chosen servants. Moses' forty years in Egypt, seemingly a period of assimilation into the oppressor's culture, was in fact a crucial time of equipping him with the knowledge, skills, and perhaps even the political acumen necessary for his monumental task. This verse teaches that God's timing is perfect and that every experience, even those seemingly unrelated to our spiritual calling, can be meticulously woven into His larger redemptive plan. It also underscores the theological imperative of identification with the suffering, mirroring God's own compassionate nature and His call for His people to embody justice and mercy.

* [Hebrews 11:24-25](/hebrews/11-24-25 "Hebrews 11:24-25 - Moses' Choice of Faith")
* [Exodus 2:11](/exodus/2-11 "Exodus 2:11 - Moses Visits His Brethren")
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Identification")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:23 offers timeless lessons for believers today, encouraging a deeper understanding of God's sovereign hand in our lives and prompting us to cultivate a heart attuned to His purposes. Just as Moses underwent a long period of preparation, we too are often shaped through various seasons—some seemingly mundane, others challenging—that God uses to equip us for our unique callings. This verse challenges us to embrace these periods of growth, trusting that God is working all things for His good. Furthermore, Moses' compassionate identification with his suffering brethren serves as a powerful model. It calls us to move beyond passive observation and actively engage with the needs and struggles of those around us, especially within the family of faith and among the marginalized. It reminds us that true spiritual maturity often manifests in a willingness to lay aside personal comfort and privilege to serve others, reflecting the very heart of Christ. Finally, the internal stirring in Moses' heart prompts us to pay attention to those deep convictions and promptings that align with God's Word and His character. These internal nudges may be the Holy Spirit inviting us to step into a new dimension of purpose, service, or intercession, requiring courage and obedience to respond.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "forty-year periods" or seasons of extended preparation might God be using in your life right now, even if their purpose isn't immediately clear?**
* **In what ways are you being called to "visit your brethren" or identify more deeply with the suffering and marginalized in your community or the world?**
* **What internal promptings or convictions has God placed in your heart recently, and how might you respond to them with faith and obedience?**

### FAQ

**Why is the mention of "forty years old" significant in this verse?**

Answer: The "forty years" mentioned in [Acts 7:23](/acts/7-23 "Acts 7:23 - Moses' Age and Purpose") is highly significant for several reasons. Biblically, the number forty often symbolizes a period of testing, purification, preparation, or judgment. For Moses, it marks the completion of his first major life stage, during which he received a comprehensive Egyptian education and training, as detailed in [Acts 7:22](/acts/7-22 "Acts 7:22 - Moses' Education"). This period equipped him with knowledge and skills, even though he was living among the very people he would later confront. It highlights God's meticulous timing and preparation, demonstrating that Moses was not a rash young man but a mature individual whose heart was profoundly stirred after a long period of development. This forty-year period would be followed by another forty years in the wilderness as a shepherd, further preparing him for his ultimate role as Israel's deliverer.

**What does it mean that "it came into his heart" to visit his brethren?**

Answer: The phrase "it came into his heart" (Greek: ἐπλήσθη καρδία αὐτοῦ, _eplēsthē kardia autou_, or as per KJV Strong's, a combination of G305 _anabaínō_ "came," G1909 _epí_ "into," and G2588 _kardía_ "heart") signifies a deep, internal conviction or a profound, settled intention, rather than a fleeting thought or external suggestion. It implies a growing awareness within Moses' innermost being—his mind, will, and emotions—of his true identity and a burgeoning sense of responsibility towards his enslaved people. This was not a casual decision but a powerful, compelling impulse that led him to forsake his privileged life in Pharaoh's court and identify with the suffering of his Israelite brethren, setting the trajectory for his divine calling as their deliverer.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:23, though recounting a pivotal moment in Moses' life, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate deliverer, Jesus Christ. Moses, despite his royal upbringing, chose to identify with his suffering brethren, a profound act of self-emptying love and solidarity. This mirrors Christ's incarnation, where He, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but [emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Self-Emptying"). Just as Moses "came into his heart to visit his brethren," Jesus, moved by divine compassion, "visited" humanity in its bondage to sin and death. He did not merely observe our plight from a distance but fully entered into our human experience, identifying with our weaknesses and sufferings, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ's Empathy")). Moses' act of solidarity led to a temporary deliverance, but Christ's identification culminated in the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, securing eternal redemption for all who believe ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). Thus, Moses' compassionate heart and willingness to step into the suffering of his people serve as a powerful type, pointing forward to the infinitely greater love and identification demonstrated by the Lamb of God, who came to deliver His people from their sins ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 2:11

¶ And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.

Exodus 2:12

And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that [there was] no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

Proverbs 21:1

¶ The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Hebrews 11:24

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

Hebrews 11:26

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Ezra 7:27

¶ Blessed [be] the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put [such a thing] as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which [is] in Jerusalem: