Acts 7:35

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

This {G5126} Moses {G3475} whom {G3739} they refused {G720}, saying {G2036}, Who {G5101} made {G2525} thee {G4571} a ruler {G758} and {G2532} a judge {G1348}? the same {G5126} did God {G2316} send {G649} to be a ruler {G758} and {G2532} a deliverer {G3086} by {G1722} the hand {G5495} of the angel {G32} which {G3588} appeared {G3700} to him {G846} in {G1722} the bush {G942}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“This Moshe, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge?’ is the very one whom God sent as both ruler and ransomer by means of the angel that appeared to him in the thorn bush.

Berean Standard Bible

This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be their ruler and redeemer through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

American Standard Version

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? him hath God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:35 is a pivotal verse within Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin, where he recounts Israel's history of rejecting God's chosen leaders. This verse specifically highlights the profound irony and divine sovereignty in Moses' life: despite being initially refused by his own people as a self-appointed authority, God unequivocally sent him as a divinely appointed ruler and deliverer, a commission confirmed by the angelic appearance at the burning bush. Stephen uses this historical precedent to subtly indict his audience, drawing a parallel between their ancestors' rejection of Moses and their contemporary rejection of Jesus, God's ultimate Deliverer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:35 is situated within Stephen's lengthy speech (Acts 7:2-53), which serves as his defense against accusations of blasphemy against Moses, the Law, and the Temple. Stephen systematically recounts Israel's history, starting with Abraham, moving through the patriarchs, and focusing heavily on Moses. Prior to this verse, Stephen details Moses' early life, his attempt to intervene in an Egyptian's abuse of an Israelite, and the subsequent rejection by his own people who questioned his authority (Acts 7:27-28). Verse 35 then presents the divine counterpoint to this human rejection, emphasizing God's sovereign appointment of Moses despite initial resistance. The subsequent verses continue Moses' narrative, describing his forty years in the wilderness and the giving of the Law, further building Stephen's argument about Israel's persistent disobedience and rejection of God's messengers, culminating in their rejection of Jesus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Stephen's speech draws heavily from the Old Testament narratives, particularly Exodus and Deuteronomy. The historical context is the period of Israel's enslavement in Egypt under Pharaoh, followed by their liberation and journey through the wilderness. Culturally, the Jewish people held Moses in the highest esteem as the foundational lawgiver and prophet through whom God established the covenant. Stephen's audience, the Sanhedrin, would have been intimately familiar with these narratives. The cultural expectation was for a Messiah who would be a powerful deliverer, yet they struggled to recognize God's chosen deliverers when they appeared in unexpected forms, a pattern Stephen highlights. The "angel in the bush" refers to the theophany at Mount Horeb (Sinai), a sacred and foundational event in Israelite history, where God revealed His name and commissioned Moses (see [Exodus 3](/exodus/3 "Exodus 3 - The Burning Bush")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and Stephen's speech. A primary theme is **Divine Appointment Despite Human Rejection**, illustrating God's unwavering purpose even when His chosen instruments are met with resistance. It underscores the theme of **God's Sovereignty** in choosing and empowering leaders, contrasting with human attempts to dictate authority. Furthermore, it reinforces the **Pattern of Israel's Disobedience and Rejection of God's Messengers**, a recurring motif in the Old Testament and a central accusation Stephen levels against his accusers (e.g., [Acts 7:51-53](/acts/7-51-53 "Acts 7:51-53 - Stephen's Accusation of the Sanhedrin")). Moses' role as a "ruler and a deliverer" also foreshadows the ultimate **Deliverance and Redemption** offered through Jesus Christ, establishing a powerful typological connection that Stephen implicitly develops throughout his sermon.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **refused (Greek, _arnéomai'_):** This verb signifies to contradict, disavow, or reject. In the context of Acts 7:35, it powerfully conveys the Israelites' initial and explicit rejection of Moses' authority when he first attempted to intervene on their behalf. This rejection was not merely a misunderstanding but an active denial of his perceived right to rule or judge them, setting up a stark contrast with God's subsequent sending.
* **ruler (Greek, _árchōn'_):** This term denotes a first in rank or power, a chief ruler, magistrate, or prince. The Israelites' question, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge?" (echoing [Exodus 2:14](/exodus/2-14 "Exodus 2:14 - Moses' First Intervention")), highlights their skepticism regarding Moses' legitimacy. Yet, God precisely sent Moses to *be* this `árchōn`, demonstrating divine endorsement for the very role they denied him.
* **deliverer (Greek, _lytrōtḗs'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to redeem," this noun specifically refers to a redeemer or deliverer. This title emphasizes Moses' primary mission to liberate Israel from Egyptian bondage through God's mighty acts. It speaks to the redemptive quality of his work, a foreshadowing of the ultimate redemption brought by Christ. The inclusion of this term underscores God's intention for Moses' role beyond mere governance to one of salvation from oppression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge?":** This clause directly recalls the pivotal moment in [Exodus 2:14](/exodus/2-14 "Exodus 2:14 - Moses' Early Rejection") when an Israelite challenged Moses' authority. Stephen emphasizes the human rejection of Moses, highlighting the people's questioning of his legitimacy and divine appointment. The phrase "who made thee" conveys a dismissive and defiant tone, underscoring their unwillingness to submit to his leadership at that time.
* **"the same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer":** This is the crucial counterpoint to the preceding rejection. Despite the people's refusal, God Himself "sent" Moses. The KJV's editorial addition "[to be]" clarifies the purpose of God's sending: not just to go, but to fulfill the very roles of "ruler" (administering justice and leading) and "deliverer" (redeeming from bondage) that the people had initially denied him. This demonstrates God's sovereign will overriding human resistance.
* **"by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.":** This final phrase authenticates Moses' divine commission. The "angel" (often understood as the Angel of the Lord, a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ) appearing in the burning bush (as detailed in [Exodus 3](/exodus/3 "Exodus 3 - The Burning Bush")) signifies the supernatural origin and divine authority behind Moses' mission. His sending was not self-appointed or humanly sanctioned, but directly from God, mediated through this angelic encounter. The "hand of the angel" implies instrumentality and divine power.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen employs several powerful literary devices in this verse. Most notably, there is a profound **Contrast** between human rejection and divine appointment. The verse starkly juxtaposes "whom they refused" with "the same did God send," highlighting the tension between human will and divine sovereignty. This contrast also creates a strong sense of **Irony**: the very person the Israelites rejected was precisely the one God chose and empowered to be their leader and savior. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Typology**, presenting Moses as a type or foreshadowing of Christ. Just as Moses was rejected by his own people yet divinely appointed as a ruler and deliverer, so too would Jesus, the ultimate deliverer, be rejected by His own people despite His divine commission. This typological connection is central to Stephen's broader argument in Acts 7. The **Repetition** of "ruler" (G758, _árchōn_) emphasizes the consistent nature of Moses' divinely ordained role, first questioned by men, then affirmed by God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:35 profoundly illustrates the consistent biblical theme of God's sovereign election and commissioning of leaders, often in the face of human resistance or misunderstanding. It underscores that God's plans are not thwarted by human will but are ultimately fulfilled through His power and providence. The verse emphasizes that true authority stems from divine appointment, not human recognition or popular acclaim. Moses, though initially rejected, was God's chosen instrument for Israel's liberation, foreshadowing a greater deliverer. This pattern serves as a theological foundation for understanding God's work throughout history, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant promises despite His people's unfaithfulness. The "angel in the bush" also points to God's direct involvement in human history, often through divine messengers, to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

* [Exodus 2:14](/exodus/2-14 "Exodus 2:14 - Moses' Initial Rejection")
* [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses")
* [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:35 offers a powerful reminder that God's call and commissioning are independent of human approval or initial reception. For believers today, this means trusting in God's sovereign hand, even when our paths or those of God's chosen leaders are met with skepticism, opposition, or outright rejection. It encourages perseverance in our God-given callings, knowing that divine validation ultimately outweighs human judgment. We are called to recognize and follow those whom God has truly sent, rather than relying on our own limited understanding or popular opinion. Furthermore, this verse prompts us to reflect on our own readiness to accept God's messengers, especially when they challenge our preconceived notions or comfortable traditions. Do we, like the Israelites, question God's appointed ones, or do we humbly submit to His divine authority as revealed through them? Ultimately, it calls us to look beyond human flaws or initial appearances to discern God's hand at work, trusting that His ultimate deliverer, Jesus, will accomplish all His purposes despite any rejection.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, like the Israelites, resist or question those whom God has appointed for a specific purpose today?**
* **How does the divine commissioning of Moses, despite human rejection, encourage you in your own calling or in facing opposition?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of true authority, and how might we better discern it in our lives and communities?**

### FAQ
**Was the "angel" in the bush literally an angel, or was it God Himself?**

Answer: The "angel" mentioned in Acts 7:35, referring to the appearance in the burning bush, is often understood by biblical scholars as a manifestation of God Himself, specifically a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, known as a Christophany or Theophany. While the text uses the term "angel" (Greek: _ángelos_, meaning "messenger"), the Old Testament account in [Exodus 3:2](/exodus/3-2 "Exodus 3:2 - The Angel of the Lord") states that the "angel of the Lord appeared," but then [Exodus 3:4](/exodus/3-4 "Exodus 3:4 - God Calls to Moses") says "God called unto him out of the midst of the bush," and [Exodus 3:6](/exodus/3-6 "Exodus 3:6 - God's Identity Revealed") records God identifying Himself as "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." This suggests that the "angel of the Lord" is not merely a created angelic being but a divine messenger who is also God Himself, acting as His divine agent and presence. Stephen's use of "angel" here aligns with the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament, which often uses "angel" to describe divine appearances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:35 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Moses, rejected by his own people yet divinely sent as a ruler and deliverer, serves as a powerful type of Christ. Just as the Israelites questioned Moses' authority ("Who made thee a ruler and a judge?"), so too did the Jewish leaders and people reject Jesus, asking, "Is not this the carpenter's son?" ([Matthew 13:55](/matthew/13-55 "Matthew 13:55 - Jesus Rejected at Nazareth")) and ultimately crying out, "Crucify him!" ([Matthew 27:22-23](/matthew/27-22-23 "Matthew 27:22-23 - Crowd Demands Crucifixion")). Despite this profound human rejection, God unequivocally "sent" Jesus, His beloved Son, into the world, not merely as a ruler but as the ultimate deliverer from sin and death ([John 3:16-17](/john/3-16-17 "John 3:16-17 - God So Loved the World")). Jesus is the "prophet like unto Moses" whom God promised to raise up ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses"), referenced in [Acts 3:22-23](/acts/3-22-23 "Acts 3:22-23 - Peter's Sermon on the Prophet")), but infinitely greater. His authority was not self-appointed but divinely confirmed by His miracles, teachings, and ultimately, His resurrection. The "angel which appeared to him in the bush" can be seen as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ Himself, the very Word of God who was with God and was God ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")), foreshadowing His eventual incarnation to accomplish the ultimate deliverance for all humanity. Thus, Acts 7:35 powerfully highlights God's consistent pattern of sending a deliverer, culminating in the sending of Jesus Christ, the one whom many rejected but whom God sent to be the King of kings and Lord of lords, our ultimate Ruler and Deliverer.

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

Psalms 118:22

The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.

Psalms 118:23

This is the LORD'S doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes.

Luke 19:14

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this [man] to reign over us.

Psalms 113:7

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

Psalms 113:8

That he may set [him] with princes, [even] with the princes of his people.

Numbers 20:16

And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we [are] in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:

Psalms 75:7

But God [is] the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.