Acts 7:37

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.

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}.

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

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

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

Acts 7:37 is a pivotal verse within Stephen's lengthy defense speech before the Sanhedrin, where he recounts the history of Israel, emphasizing their pattern of rejecting God's messengers. Here, Stephen directly quotes Moses' prophecy from Deuteronomy 18:15, applying it to Jesus Christ.

Context of Stephen's Speech

Stephen, one of the first deacons chosen by the apostles, was accused of blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:11-14). His speech in Acts 7 is not merely a defense but a profound theological argument. He traces Israel's history from Abraham through Moses, highlighting God's faithfulness despite Israel's consistent rebellion and rejection of His appointed leaders and prophets. By quoting Moses, Stephen aims to show that even the venerated lawgiver foretold a future prophet who would be the ultimate object of their hearing and obedience, thus implicitly indicting his listeners for rejecting Jesus, the fulfillment of this very prophecy.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The primary message is that Jesus Christ is the promised "Prophet like unto Moses." Just as Moses was a deliverer, lawgiver, and mediator for Israel, Jesus is the greater Deliverer, the one who brings the new covenant, and the ultimate Mediator between God and humanity. This theme underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout history.
  • Divine Authority and Obedience: The command "him shall ye hear" is crucial. It signifies that this coming Prophet would speak with absolute divine authority, and His words were to be received with complete obedience. Stephen implies that by rejecting Jesus, the Jewish leaders were repeating their ancestors' error of not listening to God's chosen messenger.
  • Israel's Historical Pattern of Rejection: Although not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Stephen's speech (Acts 7:39-53) highlights Israel's repeated pattern of resisting the Holy Spirit and rejecting God's appointed leaders, from Moses himself to the prophets, and now to Jesus.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me" is significant. The Greek phrase kathos eme (καθώς ἐμέ) means "just as I am" or "according to me." This comparison elevates the coming Prophet to the stature of Moses, who was unique in his direct communication with God and his role in establishing the nation. Yet, the New Testament later reveals that Jesus is ultimately superior to Moses, as seen in Hebrews 3:1-6, where Christ is described as a Son over God's house, while Moses was a servant in it.

Practical Application

For believers today, Acts 7:37 reinforces the supreme authority of Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites were commanded to hear the coming Prophet, so too are we called to listen to and obey the teachings of Jesus, who is the Living Word of God. Understanding this verse encourages us to delve into the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament to hear what Christ has said and to live in accordance with His commands. It reminds us that God's promises are faithful and that His plan of salvation, foretold centuries earlier, found its perfect fulfillment in Jesus.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
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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.
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