Acts 7:37 – “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Stephen is continuing his speech before the Jewish leaders, reminding them of something Moses had prophesied. Moses told the Israelites that God would send another prophet like him—someone who would come from among their own people.

Stephen’s point is clear: this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Moses was a great leader, but he was not the final deliverer. God had promised that someone greater would come, and that someone was Jesus.

By bringing up this prophecy, Stephen was challenging the Jewish leaders. They honored Moses, but they were rejecting the very one Moses had pointed to—Jesus. Just as their ancestors had resisted Moses, they were now resisting the prophet Moses had foretold.

Historical Context

This prophecy comes from Deuteronomy 18:15, where Moses tells Israel that God will raise up a prophet like him. The Jewish people had been waiting for this prophet for centuries.

At the time of Stephen’s speech, many Jews were still expecting a future prophet or Messiah, but they refused to accept that Jesus was the one. Some even asked John the Baptist if he was “the Prophet” (John 1:21), showing that this expectation was still alive.

Stephen was standing before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, who saw themselves as defenders of Moses’ law. But Stephen was proving that by rejecting Jesus, they were actually rejecting Moses’ own words.

Theological Implications

1. Moses himself pointed to Jesus – Jesus was not an afterthought in God’s plan; He was the fulfillment of what Moses had prophesied.
2. God keeps His promises – What He spoke through Moses came true in Jesus. This reminds us that God’s word is trustworthy.
3. Rejecting Jesus is rejecting Moses – The Jewish leaders claimed to follow Moses, but if they truly did, they would have recognized Jesus as the one he spoke about.
4. Jesus is the ultimate prophet and deliverer – Like Moses, Jesus led His people out of bondage—not from Egypt, but from sin.

Literary Analysis

This verse is a direct quote from Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15. Stephen is showing that Jesus was not a break from Israel’s history—He was its fulfillment.

The phrase “God will raise up” highlights that Jesus’ coming was God’s doing, not man’s invention.

The comparison “a prophet like me” is significant because it ties Jesus directly to Moses. Both were chosen by God, both performed miracles, both delivered God’s people, and both were rejected by their own people before eventually being recognized as God’s chosen leader.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 18:15 – Moses’ original prophecy about a prophet like him.
• John 1:21 – People ask John the Baptist if he is “the Prophet,” showing they were expecting Moses’ prophecy to be fulfilled.
• Acts 3:22 – Peter also quotes Deuteronomy 18:15, declaring that Jesus is the prophet Moses spoke about.
• Matthew 17:5 – At Jesus’ transfiguration, God says, “This is my Son, whom I love; listen to him,” affirming Jesus as the ultimate prophet.
• Hebrews 3:1-6 – Jesus is greater than Moses, showing He is the final fulfillment of God’s plan.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

• Jesus is the one Moses pointed to – If we believe in Moses, we must believe in Jesus.
• God’s word is reliable – If God fulfilled this promise, we can trust Him to fulfill His other promises too.
• Rejecting Jesus is rejecting God’s plan – Just as the Jewish leaders missed the connection, many today still reject the truth of Jesus.
• We are called to listen to Jesus – Moses said that when this prophet came, the people must listen to Him. Are we truly listening to Jesus today?

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in how He patiently revealed His plan through history. He didn’t leave Israel (or us) without guidance—He sent Moses, then the prophets, and finally Jesus, the greatest prophet of all.

God didn’t just tell people what to do; He sent Jesus to personally lead us. His love is seen in how He continually provides a way for people to know Him and follow Him.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is the prophet Moses spoke about – Moses pointed forward to Him, and Jesus perfectly fulfilled the role.
2. Jesus, like Moses, was a mediator – Moses stood between God and Israel, delivering God’s law. Jesus stands between God and us, bringing salvation (1 Timothy 2:5).
3. Jesus was rejected, just like Moses – The Israelites didn’t immediately accept Moses, and many did the same with Jesus (John 1:11).
4. Jesus is greater than Moses – While Moses delivered Israel from Egypt, Jesus delivers people from sin and death (Hebrews 3:3-6).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why is it significant that Moses pointed to Jesus?
2. What does this verse teach us about God’s faithfulness to His promises?
3. How does this passage challenge people who reject Jesus but claim to follow the Old Testament?
4. Are we truly listening to Jesus, the prophet God sent, or are we ignoring His words?
5. How does Jesus’ role as the ultimate prophet and deliverer impact your faith today?

God promised a prophet like Moses, and He kept that promise in Jesus. The question is—will we listen to Him?