Devine Scripture

Acts 7:25

What does Acts 7:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 7:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 7:25 means

Moses thought his brothers would perceive that God was granting them deliverance through his hand, but they did not understand. Stephen reads Moses’ motive and expectation: he saw himself as an agent of divine rescue. Yet the people’s blindness blocked recognition. The failure is not in God’s plan but in human perception. Stephen’s point to the council is clear: Israel has a history of missing what God is doing through the person He sends. The verse also distinguishes between subjective calling and communal acknowledgment. True leadership is validated in God’s time, not assumed by personal conviction alone. Misunderstanding often precedes eventual recognition.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and he supposed that his brethren understood that God by his hand was giving them deliverance; but they understood not.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and he supposed that his brethren understood that God by his hand was giving them deliverance; but they understood not.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he was hoping that his brothers would see that God had sent him to be their saviour; but they did not see.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he was supposing his brethren to understand that God through his hand doth give salvation; and they did not understand.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he thought that his brethren understood that God by his hand would save them. But they understood it not.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For he thought that his brethren would understand thatGod by his hand was giving them deliverance. But they understood not.

Context

This reflection on Moses’ expectation sets up the rejection scene that follows. Verses 26–28 will show Moses trying to reconcile two Israelites and being rebuffed with the question of his authority. That rebuff leads to Moses’ flight to Midian (verse 29). Stephen’s flow reinforces the recurring pattern—first approach, rejection; second approach, after divine commissioning, acceptance—which culminates later in Moses’ return (verses 30–36) and serves as a lens for understanding Israel’s response to Jesus.

v.24And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian:

v.25This passage

v.26And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 18:34

    And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, and they perceived not the things that were said.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:9

    For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building.

  • Mark 9:32

    But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

  • Psalms 106:7

    Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; They remembered not the multitude of thy lovingkindnesses, But were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.

  • Acts 15:7

    And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

  • 1 Samuel 14:45

    And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? Far from it: as Jehovah liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

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