Acts 7:27
What does Acts 7:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 7:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 7:27 means
The wrongdoer pushed Moses away and challenged his authority: Who made you ruler and judge? Stephen spotlights the explicit rejection of Moses’ leadership. The very titles—ruler and judge—that God will later bestow are here scorned. Rejection of God’s deliverer is not new; it is embedded in Israel’s history. This question, dripping with contempt, reveals a heart hardened against correction and against the one God is raising up. Stephen’s audience, accusing him of speaking against Moses, must confront the truth: their fathers first refused Moses. The irony is thick—those boasting in Moses stand within a tradition that initially despised him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
KJV
King James Version · 1611But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the man who was doing wrong to his neighbour, pushing him away, said, Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he who is doing injustice to the neighbour, did thrust him away, saying, Who set thee a ruler and a judge over us?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But he that did the injury to his neighbour thrust him away, saying: Who hath appointed thee prince and judge over us:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But he that was wronging his neighbour thrust him away, saying, Who established thee ruler and judge over us?
Context
This verse captures the heart of Israel’s initial rejection of Moses. Verse 28 will intensify it by referencing the slain Egyptian, making Moses fear exposure. Consequently, verse 29 recounts Moses’ flight to Midian. The narrative rhythm—first attempt rejected—prepares for the later divine commissioning at the burning bush (verses 30–34) and Moses’ return with authority (verses 35–36). Stephen uses this structure to illuminate Israel’s repeated resistance to God’s chosen agents.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 21:23
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
- Genesis 19:19
behold now, thy servant hath found favor in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy lovingkindness, which thou hast showed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest evil overtake me, and I die:
- Acts 7:54
Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
- Acts 7:35
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.
- Acts 7:39
to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt,
- John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
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