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 · KJV


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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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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?

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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