King James Version

What Does Acts 7:35 Mean?

Acts 7:35 in the King James Version says “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 deliv...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 · King James Version


Context

33

Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

34

I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.

35

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.

36

He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

37

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. like: or, as myself


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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. Stephen presents Moses as a typological figure foreshadowing Christ's rejection and ultimate vindication by God.

The verb refused carries weight—Israel's initial rejection of Moses parallels their rejection of Jesus. The question Who made thee a ruler and a judge? echoes the skepticism Christ faced from religious leaders. Yet God's sovereign purpose prevailed: the same Moses they rejected became their divinely appointed deliverer.

This pattern reveals a consistent biblical theme: God's chosen instruments face human rejection before divine vindication. The angel which appeared in the bush connects to theophanic appearances, likely the pre-incarnate Christ. Stephen subtly argues that rejecting Jesus repeats Israel's historical pattern of resisting God's appointed messengers.

The dual role of ruler and deliverer prefigures Christ's kingly and priestly offices. Moses delivered physically from Egypt; Christ delivers spiritually from sin. Reformed theology emphasizes God's irresistible grace—despite human rejection, God's redemptive purposes accomplish their intended end.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7) represents the longest sermon in Acts. Accused of blasphemy against Moses and the temple, Stephen turns the charge around, showing Israel's persistent rebellion against God's messengers.

The historical context recalls Exodus 2:14, when Moses fled Egypt after an Israelite questioned his authority. Stephen uses this to establish a pattern: God's deliverers are initially rejected by those they come to save. This speech, delivered around 34-35 CE, addresses a Jewish audience steeped in Moses-centered theology, making the comparison to Jesus particularly provocative.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the pattern of rejection followed by vindication encourage believers facing opposition?
  2. In what ways does Moses' dual rejection (by Israelites and later by the Sanhedrin's rejection of his true successor) reveal human resistance to God's grace?
  3. What does this teach about God's sovereignty in accomplishing redemption despite human unbelief?
  4. How should we respond when God's chosen leaders or messengers face skepticism?
  5. What parallels exist between Israel's rejection of Moses and the modern church's reception of Christ's lordship?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
τοῦτον1 of 28

“This”

G5126

this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)

τῇ2 of 28

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Μωϋσῆν3 of 28

“Moses”

G3475

moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver

ὃν4 of 28

“whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἠρνήσαντο5 of 28

“they refused”

G720

to contradict, i.e., disavow, reject, abnegate

εἰπόντες6 of 28

“saying”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Τίς7 of 28

“Who”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

σε8 of 28

“thee”

G4571

thee

κατέστησεν9 of 28

“made”

G2525

to place down (permanently), i.e., (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convoy

ἄρχοντα10 of 28

“a ruler”

G758

a first (in rank or power)

καὶ11 of 28

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

δικαστήν12 of 28

“a judge”

G1348

a judger

τοῦτον13 of 28

“This”

G5126

this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)

τῇ14 of 28

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς15 of 28

“did God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἄρχοντα16 of 28

“a ruler”

G758

a first (in rank or power)

καὶ17 of 28

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λυτρωτὴν18 of 28

“a deliverer”

G3086

a redeemer (figuratively)

ἀπέστειλεν19 of 28

“send”

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

ἐν20 of 28

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

χειρὶ21 of 28

“the hand”

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

ἀγγέλου22 of 28

“of the angel”

G32

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

τῇ23 of 28

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀφθέντος24 of 28

“appeared”

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

αὐτῷ25 of 28

“to him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν26 of 28

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ27 of 28

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βάτῳ28 of 28

“the bush”

G942

a brier shrub


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 7:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 7:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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