Acts 7:35 kjv
This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
Acts 7:35 nkjv
"This Moses whom they rejected, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?' is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush.
Acts 7:35 niv
"This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.
Acts 7:35 esv
"This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?' ? this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.
Acts 7:35 nlt
"So God sent back the same man his people had previously rejected when they demanded, 'Who made you a ruler and judge over us?' Through the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush, God sent Moses to be their ruler and savior.
Acts 7 35 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 7:35 | This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, 'Who appointed you?... | Acts 7:35 (Full Verse) |
| Exodus 2:14 | "Moses said, 'Who made you a prince and judge over us?... | Exodus 2:14 (Moses' initial rejection) |
| Exodus 3:10 | "So now go, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring my people | Exodus 3:10 (God's commission) |
| Exodus 3:12 | God assures Moses: "I will be with you." | Exodus 3:12 (Divine empowerment) |
| Exodus 4:15-16 | God designates Aaron to speak for Moses. | Exodus 4:15-16 (Aaron's role) |
| Exodus 12:31 | Pharaoh urges Moses and Aaron to leave Egypt with the Israelites. | Exodus 12:31 (Pharaoh's release) |
| Joshua 24:5 | God sent Moses and Aaron. | Joshua 24:5 (Moses sent by God) |
| Psalm 105:26 | "He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron whom he had chosen." | Psalm 105:26 (Messianic reference) |
| Isaiah 43:1 | "But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed y | Isaiah 43:1 (God's creation and redemption) |
| Isaiah 63:9 | "In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence s | Isaiah 63:9 (God's presence with His people) |
| John 1:17 | "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesu | John 1:17 (Moses vs. Christ) |
| Acts 3:22 | "Moses said, 'The Lord God shall raise up for you a prophet from your b | Acts 3:22 (Moses prophesied Christ) |
| Acts 13:20-21 | God gave judges and then Saul as king. | Acts 13:20-21 (Rulers in Israel) |
| Deuteronomy 18:15 | "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet from among you, from y | Deuteronomy 18:15 (Prophecy of Christ) |
| Hebrews 3:1-2 | Jesus is superior to Moses as a messenger and builder. | Hebrews 3:1-2 (Christ vs. Moses) |
| Galatians 3:19 | The law was added because of transgressions. | Galatians 3:19 (Purpose of law) |
| 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 | Israelites were baptized into Moses and ate the same spiritual food. | 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (Moses' leadership) |
| 2 Corinthians 3:7 | The law ministered by Moses was glorious. | 2 Corinthians 3:7 (Glory of Moses' ministry) |
| Romans 5:19 | Through one man's obedience many will be made righteous. | Romans 5:19 (Obedience of Christ) |
| John 3:16 | God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. | John 3:16 (God's ultimate deliverance) |
Acts 7 verses
Acts 7 35 Meaning
This verse asserts that God sent Moses as both a ruler and a deliverer. It highlights God's providential hand in raising Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.
Acts 7 35 Context
Stephen, in his defense before the Sanhedrin, recounts the history of Israel, emphasizing God's consistent action through chosen leaders. He highlights the pattern of Israel's rejection of those whom God sent, from Joseph to Moses. This specific verse comes after Stephen describes the Israelites' initial response to Moses upon his return to Egypt, where they questioned his authority and role. The broader context is Stephen’s arraignment for blasphemy, and he uses this historical narrative to accuse them of a persistent pattern of disobedience and rejection of God's messengers, culminating in their rejection of Jesus.
Acts 7 35 Word Analysis
- Οὗτος (Houtos): This demonstrative pronoun ("This") points directly to Moses, emphasizing his present significance within the historical narrative Stephen is recounting. It directly relates to the prior questioning by the Israelites: "Who appointed you?"
- οἱ (hoi): Definite article ("the").
- ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis): "chief priests." This group, along with the elders and scribes, constituted the Sanhedrin to whom Stephen was speaking. It immediately draws a parallel between their present rejection of Stephen (and by extension, Jesus) and the earlier rejection of Moses.
- ἐκπέμπει (ekpempei): "sends out." A vivid verb indicating God's active dispatch of Moses.
- ἀρχόντα (archonta): "ruler" or "prince." This highlights Moses' authoritative position and leadership.
- καὶ (kai): "and." Connects the two roles of Moses.
- λυτρωτὴν (lutroten): "redeemer" or "deliverer." This noun signifies one who liberates, particularly from bondage. It points to Moses' primary role in freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The term relates to redemption from sin, a theme fulfilled in Christ.
- ἀπέσταλκεν (apestalken): "has sent." Perfect tense, indicating a past action with continuing results. God's sending of Moses is a completed act with ongoing impact.
Words Group Analysis
- "This Moses... God sent...": This phrase directly attributes Moses' mission to divine appointment. It's a powerful counterpoint to the Israelites' (and the Sanhedrin's) questioning of Moses' authority in the previous verse.
- "as ruler and redeemer": This dual description encapsulates Moses' multifaceted leadership. As ruler, he guided and governed; as redeemer, he liberated them from oppression. These roles foreshadow Christ's ultimate spiritual rulership and redemption.
Acts 7 35 Bonus Section
The Greek term for "redeemer" (λυτρωτὴν - lutroten) carries significant theological weight, pointing to liberation from a state of bondage, often through a purchase or ransom. This foreshadows Christ’s ultimate redemptive work on the cross, delivering humanity from sin and death. The concept of a "redeemer" also appears in the Old Testament with the go'el (kinsman-redeemer) in books like Ruth and Job, a role God often fulfills for His people. The choice of this specific word by Luke in the mouth of Stephen underscores the deep connections between God’s Old Testament acts and the new covenant realities inaugurated by Jesus.
Acts 7 35 Commentary
Stephen is directly confronting his accusers by framing their rejection of him, and Jesus, as part of a historical continuum. Just as the Israelites initially questioned Moses, so too the religious leaders rejected the very one God sent to deliver them. God actively selected Moses and empowered him for the dual tasks of leadership ("ruler") and liberation ("redeemer") from Egypt. This isn't just history; it's a theological statement about God’s persistent plan of salvation through chosen instruments, a plan that the current generation was repeating the error of opposing. The chosen words "ruler" and "redeemer" emphasize the authority and saving power God vested in Moses, setting a precedent for understanding God's work throughout salvation history.