Devine Scripture

Acts 7:37

What does Acts 7:37 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 7:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 7:37 means

Stephen quotes Moses: A prophet shall God raise up to you from your brethren, like unto me. This points forward beyond Moses to a future, God-raised prophet within Israel. The New Testament identifies this promise with Jesus, the ultimate prophet who reveals God and leads His people. Stephen thus shows that Moses himself anticipated someone greater to come. Far from opposing Moses, Stephen affirms Moses as a foretelling witness to Christ. The council must see that honoring Moses includes heeding the One he promised. Rejecting Jesus is not fidelity to Moses but disobedience to his prophetic word about the coming prophet like him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

This is the same Moses, who said to the children of Israel, God will give you a prophet from among your brothers, like me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

this is the Moses who did say to the sons of Israel: A prophet to you shall the Lord your God raise up out of your brethren, like to me, him shall ye hear.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel: A prophet shall God raise up to you of your own brethren, as myself. Him shall you hear.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, A prophet shallGod raise up to you out of your brethren like me [him shall ye hear].

Context

Following the summary of Moses’ signs (verse 36), Stephen highlights Moses’ own testimony about a future prophet. Verse 38 will then recall Moses’ role in receiving living oracles at Sinai for the people. The juxtaposition is deliberate: Moses is both foundational and forward-looking. Stephen uses Moses’ authority to point to the Righteous One, laying groundwork for his later indictment that the council has betrayed and murdered Him (verses 52–53).

v.36This man led them forth, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

v.37This passage

v.38This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us:

Cross references

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

  • 2 Chronicles 28:22

    And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against Jehovah, this same king Ahaz.

  • Acts 3:22

    Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me; to him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you.

  • Luke 9:35

    And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him.

  • Acts 7:38

    This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us:

  • Luke 9:30

    And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah;

  • Mark 9:7

    And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son: hear ye him.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 7

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 7.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Acts 7:37.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary