Acts 7:27

KJV

But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he that did {G91} his neighbour {G4139} wrong {G91} thrust {G683} him {G846} away {G683}, saying {G2036}, Who {G5101} made {G2525} thee {G4571} a ruler {G758} and {G2532} a judge {G1348} over {G1909} us {G2248}?

Complete Jewish Bible

the one who was mistreating his fellow pushed Moshe away and said, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?

Berean Standard Bible

But the man who was abusing his neighbor pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?

American Standard Version

But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:27 captures a pivotal moment in Stephen's historical recounting before the Sanhedrin, illustrating the ingrained resistance of Israel to God's appointed deliverers. This verse specifically details the defiant rejection Moses faced from one of his own countrymen, who, rather than accepting correction for his wrongdoing, challenged Moses' authority with the pointed question, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?" This incident serves as a foundational example within Stephen's broader argument, highlighting a recurring pattern of rebellion against divine leadership that culminates in the rejection of the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:27 is embedded within Stephen's lengthy and impassioned defense before the Sanhedrin, as recorded in [Acts 7](/acts/7 "Acts 7 - Stephen's Speech"). Accused of blasphemy against the Law and the Temple (see [Acts 6:11-14](/acts/6-11-14 "Acts 6:11-14 - Accusations Against Stephen")), Stephen does not directly refute the charges but instead presents a sweeping historical narrative of Israel, beginning with Abraham and moving through the patriarchs, Joseph, and Moses. His aim is to demonstrate God's consistent faithfulness to Israel, even as Israel consistently resisted God's chosen messengers. This specific verse refers to an early incident in Moses' life, recounted in [Exodus 2:13-14](/exodus/2-13-14 "Exodus 2:13-14 - Moses Intervenes"), where Moses attempts to mediate a dispute between two Hebrews. The man who was in the wrong defiantly questions Moses' self-appointed authority, setting a precedent for the nation's later rejection of Moses and, by extension, God's subsequent prophets and ultimately, Jesus Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Stephen's speech is Jerusalem in the early days of the Christian church, shortly after Pentecost. Stephen, one of the seven deacons appointed to serve the Hellenistic Jewish believers, became a powerful evangelist, performing "great wonders and signs among the people" ([Acts 6:8](/acts/6-8 "Acts 6:8 - Stephen's Ministry")). His ministry stirred up opposition from various synagogues, particularly those of the Freedmen, who ultimately brought false charges against him. The cultural context involves the deep reverence for the Mosaic Law and the Temple among the Jewish leadership. Stephen's speech, by highlighting Israel's historical resistance to God's direct interventions and prophetic voices, implicitly challenges their perceived faithfulness and foreshadows their rejection of the new covenant brought by Jesus. The incident with Moses specifically reflects the societal norms of the time, where authority was typically established through recognized lineage, appointment, or popular acclamation, which Moses, at this early stage, lacked in the eyes of his countrymen.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Stephen's address and the broader book of Acts. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Rejection of God-Ordained Authority**. The man's question, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?" directly challenges Moses' legitimacy, foreshadowing Israel's consistent pattern of rejecting those God sends to lead or correct them, culminating in the rejection of Jesus Christ Himself, as seen in [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Rejected by His Own"). Secondly, it highlights a profound **Misunderstanding of God's Plan**. The man's words reveal an inability to discern God's unfolding purpose, even when it manifests through an unconventional agent like Moses, who was acting on a divine impulse long before the formal commissioning at the burning bush ([Exodus 3](/exodus/3 "Exodus 3 - The Burning Bush")). This theme underscores how human resistance often stems from a failure to perceive God's work outside of conventional expectations. Finally, the incident serves as a crucial example in Stephen's overarching argument regarding the **Pattern of Resistance** throughout Israel's history, emphasizing that their current opposition to the Gospel is not an anomaly but a continuation of a long-standing national trait.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wrong (Greek, _adikéō'_):** Derived from _adikos_ (unjust), this verb means "to be unjust," or "to do wrong" (morally, socially, or physically). In this context, it describes the action of the man who was in the wrong, implying he was perpetrating an injustice against his neighbor. His subsequent rejection of Moses' intervention highlights his unwillingness to cease his wrongful behavior or accept correction.
* **ruler (Greek, _árchōn'_):** This term refers to "a first (in rank or power)," signifying a chief ruler, magistrate, or prince. The man's question challenges Moses' political or administrative authority, implying that Moses had no official standing to govern or lead them in a civil capacity.
* **judge (Greek, _dikastḗs'_):** Derived from a word related to justice (_dikē_), this noun denotes "a judger" or one who holds judicial authority. The man's challenge extends to Moses' right to arbitrate disputes or render legal decisions, underscoring his defiance of any perceived judicial power Moses might claim.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he that did his neighbour wrong":** This clause identifies the antagonist in the incident—the one who was actively perpetrating injustice against another Israelite. It immediately establishes the context of conflict and moral transgression, setting the stage for Moses' intervention.
* **"thrust him away, saying,":** This phrase describes the man's aggressive and dismissive reaction to Moses' attempt to mediate. The act of "thrusting away" signifies a forceful rejection, indicating not just verbal disagreement but a physical or emphatic dismissal of Moses' presence and authority. It reveals the man's hostility and unwillingness to be corrected.
* **"Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?":** This is a rhetorical question, laden with defiance and contempt. It directly challenges Moses' legitimacy, questioning the source of his authority to intervene in their affairs, whether as a civil leader ("ruler") or a judicial arbiter ("judge"). The "us" implies a collective rejection, suggesting that Moses had no recognized standing within their community.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's use of this incident from Moses' life is rich with literary significance. The most prominent device is **Irony**: Moses, who is destined to be God's chosen deliverer and lawgiver for Israel, is initially rejected by the very people he is called to save. This early rejection by one of his own countrymen foreshadows the greater, national rejection he would face at various points, and tragically, the ultimate rejection of the Messiah by His own people. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as this specific act of defiance serves as a microcosm of Israel's repeated historical pattern of resisting God's appointed messengers and prophets throughout the Old Testament, a pattern Stephen meticulously lays out in his speech. Finally, the man's question, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?" functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Question**. It is not asked to elicit information but to express contempt, challenge authority, and dismiss Moses' intervention, effectively shutting down any attempt at mediation or correction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:27 resonates deeply with the theological theme of humanity's inherent resistance to divine authority and God's chosen instruments. The man's defiant question echoes through history, representing the human tendency to question, reject, or even violently oppose those who speak truth or attempt to bring order and justice, especially when their authority is perceived as unconventional or self-appointed. This incident highlights a recurring pattern in salvation history: God sends His messengers, but they are often met with skepticism, hostility, and rejection by those they are sent to help. Stephen uses this early rejection of Moses to build a compelling case that Israel's current rejection of Jesus is not an isolated event but the culmination of a long-standing national characteristic of resisting the Holy Spirit and God's will.

* [Exodus 2:13-14](/exodus/2-13-14 "Exodus 2:13-14 - Moses' Intervention in Egypt") - This passage provides the original account of Moses' intervention between the two fighting Hebrews, which Stephen references.
* [Acts 7:35](/acts/7-35 "Acts 7:35 - The Rejected Deliverer") - Stephen explicitly connects this early rejection of Moses to God's later commissioning of Moses as the very "ruler and deliverer" whom they had rejected, emphasizing God's sovereignty over human resistance.
* [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Rejected by His Own") - This verse tragically mirrors the pattern of rejection, stating, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not," referring to Jesus' rejection by the Jewish people.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:27 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine our own hearts regarding authority, correction, and God's unconventional methods. Just as the Israelite resisted Moses, we too can be prone to rejecting truth or guidance when it comes from unexpected sources, or when it challenges our comfortable patterns of behavior. This verse serves as a potent reminder to cultivate humility and discernment, asking ourselves if we are truly open to God's voice, even when it comes through channels we might not anticipate or prefer. It calls us to consider whether our own pride or preconceived notions might be causing us to "thrust away" divine wisdom or God-ordained leadership. Ultimately, it encourages a posture of receptivity to God's will, recognizing that His ways are often higher than our ways, and His chosen instruments may not always fit our human expectations or credentials.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's guidance or correction because it doesn't align with my expectations or comes from an unexpected source?**
* **How do I typically react when confronted about my own wrongdoing or when challenged by someone I don't perceive as having "authority" over me?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a more humble and discerning spirit, open to recognizing God's hand at work even in unconventional circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Why did Stephen recount this specific incident from Moses' life in his defense?**

Answer: Stephen recounted this incident from [Exodus 2:13-14](/exodus/2-13-14 "Exodus 2:13-14 - Moses' Early Life") to establish a crucial point in his defense: the recurring pattern of Israel's rejection of God's appointed messengers. By highlighting that Moses, God's chosen deliverer, was initially rejected by his own people with the question, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?", Stephen demonstrated that the Jewish people had a long history of resisting God's will and His chosen instruments. This historical precedent served to contextualize their current rejection of Jesus Christ and, by extension, Stephen's message about Him, arguing that their opposition was not new but a continuation of a deeply ingrained national characteristic of resisting the Holy Spirit ([Acts 7:51](/acts/7-51 "Acts 7:51 - Stephen's Rebuke")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:27 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Moses, God's chosen deliverer, was initially rejected by his own people with the defiant question, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?", so too was Jesus, the greater Prophet and ultimate Deliverer, scorned and rejected by His own nation. The Jewish leaders and many among the populace questioned His authority, asking, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" ([Matthew 21:23](/matthew/21-23 "Matthew 21:23 - Questioning Jesus' Authority")). Despite performing countless miracles and speaking words of life, Jesus "came unto his own, and his own received him not" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Rejected")). Yet, just as God vindicated Moses by making him the very "ruler and deliverer" they had rejected ([Acts 7:35](/acts/7-35 "Acts 7:35 - God Exalts Moses")), so God exalted Jesus, whom they crucified, making Him "both Lord and Christ" ([Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost")). The rejected stone became the cornerstone ([Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Rejected Stone")), demonstrating that God's plan of salvation prevails despite human resistance, ultimately culminating in the universal reign of the One whom humanity initially spurned.

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

Acts 7:35

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

Luke 12:14

And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

Acts 4:11

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 3:13

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go.

Acts 3:15

And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

Proverbs 9:7

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.