Acts 7:37

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

This {G3778} is {G2076} that Moses {G3475}, which {G3588} said {G2036} unto the children {G5207} of Israel {G2474}, A prophet {G4396} shall {G450} the Lord {G2962} your {G5216} God {G2316} raise up {G450} unto you {G5213} of {G1537} your {G5216} brethren {G80}, like {G5613} unto me {G1691}; him {G846} shall ye hear {G191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is the Moshe who said to the people of Isra’el, ‘God will raise up a prophet like me from among your brothers’

Berean Standard Bible

This is the same Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’

American Standard Version

This is that Moses, who said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:37 stands as a cornerstone in Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin, where he meticulously recounts Israel's history to demonstrate their persistent pattern of rejecting God's chosen messengers. In this pivotal verse, Stephen directly quotes Moses' prophetic words from Deuteronomy 18:15, asserting that Jesus Christ is the promised "Prophet like unto Moses," thereby indicting his listeners for their rejection of God's ultimate messenger and the fulfillment of this ancient prophecy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:37 is situated within Stephen's lengthy and impassioned speech, which spans the entirety of Acts 7. Accused of blasphemy against Moses and the temple (Acts 6:11-14), Stephen's address is not merely a legal defense but a profound theological exposition of Israel's history. He traces God's dealings with His people from Abraham through Joseph, Moses, and the wilderness generation, culminating in the building of the temple. Stephen's narrative consistently highlights God's faithfulness juxtaposed with Israel's recurring rebellion and rejection of divinely appointed leaders and prophets. This specific verse, quoting Moses, serves as a powerful rhetorical device, turning the tables on his accusers by showing that their venerated lawgiver himself foretold a future prophet whom they were commanded to hear, a command they now violate by rejecting Jesus. The speech builds to a climax, revealing that their rejection of Jesus is merely the latest, and most egregious, instance in a long history of resisting the Holy Spirit and persecuting God's messengers, as further detailed in [Acts 7:51-53](/acts/7-51-53 "Acts 7:51-53 - Stephen's Rebuke of the Sanhedrin").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Stephen delivered this speech before the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and religious council, composed of Sadducees and Pharisees. In first-century Judaism, Moses was revered as the preeminent prophet and lawgiver, whose authority was unquestionable. The Law given through Moses at Sinai was the foundation of Jewish identity and religious practice. The expectation of a future prophet "like Moses" was deeply ingrained in Jewish messianic hopes, stemming from [Deuteronomy 18:15-18](/deuteronomy/18-15-18 "Deuteronomy 18:15-18 - The Promise of a Prophet Like Moses"). Many believed this prophet would be a new Moses, leading Israel to a new exodus or delivering a new revelation. Stephen's audience would have immediately recognized the quote and understood its profound implications. By applying this prophecy to Jesus, Stephen directly challenged their understanding of messianic fulfillment and their adherence to the very Law they claimed to uphold, implying that their rejection of Jesus was a rejection of Moses' own prophecy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, asserting that Jesus Christ is the long-awaited "Prophet like unto Moses," the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. Just as Moses was a deliverer, lawgiver, and mediator of the Old Covenant, Jesus is presented as the greater Deliverer, the one who inaugurates the [new covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - The New Covenant"), and the supreme Mediator between God and humanity. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Authority and Obedience**. The command "him shall ye hear" emphasizes that this coming Prophet would speak with absolute divine authority, and His words were to be received with complete obedience. Stephen implicitly argues that by rejecting Jesus, the Jewish leaders were repeating their ancestors' error of not listening to God's chosen messenger, a pattern evident throughout Israel's history, as Stephen details in [Acts 7:39-43](/acts/7-39-43 "Acts 7:39-43 - Israel's Idolatry in the Wilderness"). Thirdly, the verse reinforces the theme of **Israel's Historical Pattern of Rejection**, demonstrating how the nation consistently resisted God's Spirit and rejected His appointed leaders, from Moses himself (as seen in [Acts 7:35](/acts/7-35 "Acts 7:35 - Moses, the Rejected Deliverer")) to the prophets, and now, climactically, to Jesus.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prophet (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** This term (G4396) refers to a foreteller or an inspired speaker. In the biblical context, a prophet is one who speaks on behalf of God, conveying divine messages, often predicting future events, but primarily calling people to obedience to God's will. Stephen's use of "prophet" here directly connects to the Deuteronomic prophecy, identifying Jesus as the one uniquely chosen by God to speak His authoritative word.
* **raise up (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** The verb (G450) means "to stand up," "arise," or "raise up." In this context, it signifies God's sovereign act of appointing or bringing forth a leader or figure. The Lord Himself would "raise up" this prophet, indicating divine initiative and authorization, emphasizing that this prophet would not emerge by human will but by God's deliberate design.
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb (G191) means "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience, to listen, to understand, and implicitly, to obey. The command "him shall ye hear" is not merely about auditory perception but about attentive listening that leads to submission and obedience. It underscores the authoritative nature of the prophet's message and the expectation of a responsive, obedient faith from the people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel,"**: Stephen begins by identifying Moses, the revered lawgiver, as the speaker of the prophecy. This immediately establishes a common ground with his Jewish audience, who held Moses in the highest esteem. By attributing the prophecy directly to Moses, Stephen lends immense authority and familiarity to his subsequent claim about Jesus.
* **"A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me;"**: This is the core of the quotation from Deuteronomy 18:15. It foretells the coming of a future prophet, divinely appointed ("raise up") by "the Lord your God." The phrase "of your brethren" emphasizes that this prophet would be a fellow Israelite, sharing their heritage and humanity. The crucial comparison "like unto me" (Greek: _hōs emé_) highlights the unique parallels between Moses and this coming prophet. Moses was a deliverer, lawgiver, mediator, and one who spoke with God face-to-face. The promised prophet would share these characteristics, yet ultimately surpass them.
* **"him shall ye hear."**: This concluding command is an imperative, demanding absolute attention and obedience to the words of the promised prophet. It implies that the prophet's message carries divine authority, making listening and obeying a non-negotiable requirement for God's people. Stephen's inclusion of this command serves as a direct indictment of his audience, implying that their rejection of Jesus is a failure to heed Moses' own prophetic instruction.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's speech is rich in **Rhetoric**, employing a historical survey to build a compelling argument. The direct **Quotation** of Deuteronomy 18:15 is a powerful rhetorical move, grounding his argument in the authoritative words of Moses, whom his accusers revered. This quotation functions as a form of **Argumentum ad Hominem** (though not fallacious), using the very authority his opponents respect against their current stance. The phrase "like unto me" introduces **Typology**, presenting Moses as a type or foreshadowing of the greater, ultimate Prophet, Jesus Christ. This **Typological** comparison is central to Stephen's argument, demonstrating continuity in God's redemptive plan while highlighting the superiority of the antitype (Christ) over the type (Moses). The entire speech, including this verse, also serves as a sustained **Allusion** to Israel's history of rebellion, culminating in their rejection of Jesus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:37 is profoundly significant as it explicitly identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of a foundational Old Testament prophecy concerning the coming of a unique prophet. This verse underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that Jesus' ministry was not a deviation but the culmination of divine revelation foretold centuries earlier. It establishes Jesus' supreme authority, positioning Him as the definitive voice of God, whose words demand ultimate allegiance and obedience. The theological implication is that to reject Jesus is to reject God's final and most complete revelation, and to stand in opposition to the very prophetic word given through Moses.

* [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Original Prophecy of the Prophet")
* [John 1:45](/john/1-45 "John 1:45 - Philip Finds Jesus, the One Moses Wrote About")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Word in His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:37 serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus Christ's unparalleled authority and the imperative for all people to listen to and obey His teachings. Just as the Israelites were commanded to hear the promised Prophet, so too are we, as believers, called to submit our lives to the Living Word of God. This verse challenges us to consider the depth of our obedience: are we truly hearing Jesus, not just intellectually, but with a heart prepared to act on His commands? It encourages a deeper engagement with the Gospels and the entire New Testament, recognizing them as the authoritative revelation of the Prophet promised by Moses. Furthermore, it prompts us to examine our own tendencies to resist God's truth, drawing a parallel to Israel's historical pattern of rebellion. Our faith is not merely intellectual assent but an active, ongoing commitment to hear and follow the voice of our Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Jesus as "the Prophet like Moses" deepen your appreciation for His unique role in God's redemptive plan?**
* **In what practical ways do you "hear" Jesus in your daily life, and how does this hearing translate into obedience?**
* **What are some modern-day "voices" or influences that might tempt us to disregard or dilute the authoritative voice of Christ, and how can we guard against them?**

### FAQ

**Why is Stephen's quote of Deuteronomy 18:15 in Acts 7:37 so important?**

Answer: Stephen's quote is crucial because it directly identifies Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of a significant Old Testament prophecy. By quoting Moses, Stephen legitimizes Jesus' authority and mission within the framework of Jewish expectation. It serves as a powerful theological argument, demonstrating that the very Law and prophets revered by the Sanhedrin pointed to Jesus. Stephen uses this prophecy to show that the Jewish leaders, in rejecting Jesus, were repeating their ancestors' pattern of rejecting God's chosen messengers, thereby indicting them for their spiritual blindness and disobedience to Moses' own command to "hear" this coming prophet. This quote is a cornerstone of the early Christian argument for Jesus' messianic identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:37 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus, who is revealed as the Prophet superior to Moses in every respect. While Moses mediated the Old Covenant and delivered the Law, Jesus is the Mediator of a [new and better covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - The New Covenant") and the embodiment of God's grace and truth, as stated in [John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ"). Just as Moses led Israel out of slavery, Jesus delivers humanity from the bondage of sin and death, leading His people into true freedom (cf. [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). He is the one whom the Father explicitly commands us to hear, as echoed by the voice from heaven at His Transfiguration: "[This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him!](/luke/9-35 "Luke 9:35 - The Voice from the Cloud at the Transfiguration")" (Luke 9:35). Jesus not only spoke God's words but was Himself the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the perfect revelation of God. His life, death, and resurrection constitute the ultimate prophetic act, revealing God's redemptive plan and securing eternal salvation. Therefore, to hear Jesus is to hear God, and to obey Him is to enter into the fullness of God's promised blessings.

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

Deuteronomy 18:15

¶ The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Deuteronomy 18:19

And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require [it] of him.

Acts 3:22

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

Acts 3:23

And it shall come to pass, [that] every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

John 18:37

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Matthew 17:3

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Matthew 17:5

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.