Acts 7:37 · Bible study
Acts 7:37 Commentary: Study: Moses’ Prophecy of the Prophet
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
How Stephen used Deuteronomy 18:15 to identify Jesus as the promised Prophet like Moses and rebuke his hearers for refusing to listen.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Stephen identifies Jesus as the Prophet like Moses foretold by Moses himself, and uses the command to hear Him as a rebuke.
- Key words: prophet (προφήτην), raise up (ἀναστήσει), like me (ὡς ἐμέ), hear him (αὐτοῦ ἀκούσεσθε).
- Main debate: Whether the prophecy is exclusively messianic or also refers to the prophetic office generally, with Christ as its ultimate fulfillment.
- Theological theme: Continuity between Old and New Covenants; the persistent rejection of God’s messengers.
- Best use: Sermons connecting Old Testament expectation to Christ; evangelistic preaching showing Jesus as the fulfillment of Moses’ promise.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
This is the same Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’
WEB World English Bible 2000
This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
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.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, A prophet shall God raise up to you out of your brethren like me [him shall ye hear].
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
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.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Este es el Moisés, el cual dijo á los hijos de Israel: Profeta os levantará el Señor Dios vuestro de vuestros hermanos, como yo; á él oiréis.
Este é o Moisés que disse aos filhos de Israel: O Senhor, vosso Deus, vos levantará um profeta dentre vossos irmãos, como a mim; a ele ouvireis.
C’ est ce Moïse qui dit aux fils d’ Israël: Dieu vous suscitera d’ entre vos frères un prophète comme moi.
Dies ist der Mose, der zu den Kindern Israel gesagt hat: “Einen Propheten wird euch der HERR, euer Gott, erwecken aus euren Brüdern gleichwie mich; den sollt ihr hören.”
Deze is de Mozes, die tot de kinderen Israels gezegd heeft: De Heere, uw God, zal u een Profeet verwekken uit uw broederen, gelijk mij; Dien zult gij horen.
Questi è il Mosè che disse ai figliuoli d’Israele: Il Signore Iddio vostro vi susciterà un Profeta d’infra i vostri fratelli, come me.
Tenci jest Mojżesz, który rzekł synom Izraelskim: Proroka wam wzbudzi Pan, Bóg wasz, z braci waszych, jako mię, onego słuchać będziecie;
Это тот Моисей, который сказал сынам Израилевым: Пророка воздвигнет вам Господь Бог ваш из братьев ваших, как меня; Его слушайте.
那 曾對以色列人 說『 神 要從 你們 弟兄 中間給你們 興起 一位先知 像 我』的，就是 這位 摩西。
This is the same Moses, who said to the children of Israel, God will give you a prophet from among your brothers, like me.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 7:37
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Stephen quotes Deuteronomy 18:15 to remind his audience that Moses himself foretold a Prophet greater than himself. Commentators agree on two points: this prophecy points ultimately to Jesus the Messiah, and Stephen uses it to confront his hearers with their rejection of Christ. Adam Clarke notes that “this very Moses… announced that very prophet whom ye have lately put to death.” Barnes emphasizes that Stephen aimed to “remind them of their obligation to hear and obey him.” Jamieson-Fausset-Brown add that Stephen is showing that “Moses himself was not the last and proper object of the Church's faith, but only a humble precursor.” Wesley confirms there is no opposition between Moses and Christ. The phrase “him shall ye hear” (or “you will listen to him”) is crucial: it is both a command from Moses and a rebuke to those who condemned Jesus. Cambridge Bible calls it “the key-note” of Stephen’s charge that they resist the Holy Spirit (v. 51). Calvin sees Stephen proving “that Christ is the end of the law.” Thus the consensus is that this verse is a pivotal christological argument in Stephen’s defense.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Stephen uses the prophecy to identify Jesus as the promised Prophet like Moses and to call his hearers to listen to Him.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of the Prophet | The prophecy ultimately points to Jesus as the Messiah. | Some Christians hold that it refers primarily to a succession of prophets (like Joshua) and secondarily to Christ; others see it as exclusively messianic, citing Peter’s and Stephen’s direct application. |
| Purpose of Stephen’s quotation | Stephen uses the quote to show continuity between Moses and Jesus and to rebuke his hearers. | Some emphasize the christological identification (Calvin), while others stress the pattern of rejection (Lange’s rhetorical analysis) as the main point. |
| Meaning of ‘like me’ (ὡς ἐμέ) | Moses serves as a type or model for the coming Prophet. | The specific likeness is debated: some highlight mediation between God and people, others focus on miracles or prophetic authority. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Stephen is on trial before the Sanhedrin, accused of speaking against Moses and the temple. His speech retells Israel’s history to show that God’s people have consistently rejected His chosen leaders. Verses 35, 38 form a unit with a repeated pattern: “This Moses whom they refused… God sent… This is he who was in the assembly… This is that Moses who said…” The repeated demonstrative pronoun houtos (“This”) creates a rhetorical emphasis, as Lange notes, contrasting God’s calling with the people’s rejection. In verse 37, Stephen highlights that even Moses, the very lawgiver they venerate, predicted a coming Prophet.
The quotation from Deuteronomy 18:15 emphasizes that this Prophet would be “like me” and “from among your brothers,” meaning a human, Israelite successor, yet one to whom absolute obedience is due. Stephen’s audience believed they honored Moses by opposing Jesus, but Stephen turns their own Scripture against them: by rejecting Jesus, they disobey the very command of Moses to “listen to him.” The historical setting is crucial: Stephen is not dismissing Moses but showing that Moses himself points beyond himself. This rhetorical move debunks the charge that Stephen blasphemes Moses; instead, he upholds Moses as a witness to Christ.
Textual Notes
The Greek text of Acts 7:37 is stable across major manuscripts. The phrase “him shall ye hear” (αὐτοῦ ἀκούσεσθε) appears in virtually all witnesses; a few early manuscripts omit it, but the reading is well-attested and consistent with the Deuteronomy original. The consulted sources note no significant textual variants affecting the meaning of this verse.
Reception History
The early church used Acts 7:37 in apologetics to demonstrate that Jesus fulfills Moses’ prophecy. Justin Martyr and Irenaeus argued from this verse that the Messiah was foretold as a prophet like Moses. During the Reformation, both Catholic and Protestant commentators saw the verse as affirming the continuity of Scripture. Calvin wrote that Stephen “proveth that Christ is the end of the law.” In modern scholarship, the verse is studied for its rhetorical role in Stephen’s speech, particularly the contrast between God’s calling and the people’s rejection. It remains a key text for showing how the Old Testament anticipates Christ.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Moses Himself Points Beyond Moses, Deuteronomy 18:15 promises a prophet like Moses; Stephen shows that Moses was not the final authority.
- The Prophet Is Identified as Jesus, As Peter also declared in Acts 3:22, the prophecy finds its fulfillment in Christ.
- The Command to Listen Confronts Unbelief, “Him shall ye hear” is both a command and a rebuke; Stephen’s hearers had refused to hear the very One Moses foretold.
Five-point outline
- Stephen’s Defense Demonstrates Continuity between Moses and Jesus.
- The Promise of a Prophet Like Moses Points to a Greater Mediator.
- Jesus Is the Fulfillment of That Promise.
- The Rebuke: Refusing to Hear the Prophet Repeats the Sin of the Fathers.
- The Call: Listen to Him, the same voice from heaven at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5).
Illustration hooks
- A coach or teacher who trains a successor and then steps aside, insisting that the team listen to the one who comes after. Moses did the same for Christ.
- The irony of honoring a person’s words while ignoring their main point, like celebrating a will but rejecting the inheritance.
- A court case where the defendant uses the accuser’s own witness to prove innocence. Stephen uses Moses, the accusers’ hero, to vindicate Jesus.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did Stephen quote this Old Testament verse in his defense?
- How does this prophecy prove that Jesus is the Messiah?
- What does it mean to “hear” the Prophet Jesus today, isn’t hearing enough?
Leading a Discussion
Acts 7:37 sits at the heart of Stephen’s speech. He is defending himself against charges of blasphemy by showing that Moses himself pointed toward a greater Prophet. This verse challenges us to see Jesus as the one to whom all Scripture leads, and to ask whether we truly listen to Him or only honor Him with our words.
Discussion questions
- Read Deuteronomy 18:15, 19. What does this prophecy promise about a future prophet? How is the prophet described?
- How does Stephen connect this prophecy to Jesus in verse 37? What does the phrase “This is that Moses” tell us about Stephen’s view of the Old Testament?
- Why do you think Stephen emphasizes that Moses said “him shall ye hear”? What was the obligation of the people?
- In what ways did Stephen’s audience claim to honor Moses but reject what he said? How could they miss the one Moses foretold?
- How does this passage challenge us to see Jesus as the ultimate authority, not just one teacher among many?
- What are some ways we might “listen” to Jesus in theory but fail to obey in practice?
- How does this verse strengthen your confidence that the Old Testament points to Christ? What difference does that make for reading the Bible?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Deuteronomy 18:15 | Yahweh your God will raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him. |
| Deuteronomy 18:19 | It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. |
| II Chronicles 28:22 | In the time of his distress, he trespassed yet more against Yahweh, this same King Ahaz. |
| Daniel 6:13 | Then they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, doesn’t respect you, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” |
| Matthew 17:3 | Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. |
| Matthew 17:5 | While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” |
| Mark 9:7 | A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” |
| Luke 9:30 | Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
This is that Moses, which said - A prophet, etc. - This very Moses, so highly esteemed and honored by God, announced that very prophet whom ye have lately put to death. See the observations at Deu 18:22 (note).
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights that Stephen quotes the promise of a coming prophet not only to show his own faith in the Messiah but specifically to remind the council of their binding duty to hear and obey Him when He came.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin argues that Stephen deliberately uses Moses' words to show that the law itself pointed beyond itself. The prophets were only a temporary appendix to Moses, but Christ brings the full perfection of wisdom. By rejecting Christ, the Jews do not honor Moses—they repeat the same rebellion their ancestors committed against him.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that quoting the prophecy of a prophet like Moses to those who rejected Jesus directly foreshadows Stephen's later charge in Acts. The point is that their rejection mirrors the pattern of their ancestors, who also resisted God's messengers.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note identifies Moses himself as the one who spoke of a coming Prophet like him. It grounds the prophecy firmly in Moses's own words to Israel and stresses that this future Prophet must be heard.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Stephen is directly identifying Moses as the one who spoke the prophecy about a coming prophet. He directs readers to his fuller comments on Acts 3:22 for a more detailed treatment of that same passage.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that Stephen quotes Moses' own words to expose the irony of his listeners' reverence for Moses. The very lawgiver they exalted testified that he was only a humble forerunner and imperfect model of the One who alone deserves their absolute submission.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes the repeated "this Moses" in Stephen's speech as a rhetorical device to highlight the stark contrast between God's high calling and the people's rejection. He introduces the principle of solidarity, arguing that one man's words reflected the
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry argues that Stephen's speech honors Moses rather than blasphemes him. Stephen recounts Moses' divine calling, miracles, and faithful leadership, showing the highest respect. The charge of blasphemy against Moses is therefore unfounded, as nothing could be said more honor
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that Stephen quotes Moses' own prophecy to show that Moses and Christ are not in conflict. The prophet Moses promised would come is Jesus, so Stephen proves that the law and the gospel come from the same God.