For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
Parallel translations
- WEB He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn’t understand.
- BSB He assumed his brothers would understand that God was using him to deliver them, but they did not.
- NKJV For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.
- NASB And he thought that his brothers understood that God was granting them deliverance through him; but they did not understand.
- NLT Moses assumed his fellow Israelites would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn’t.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Moses assumed his people would recognize God was delivering them through him, but they did not. This rejection foreshadows Israel's later rejection of greater deliverers, including Christ.
Overview
Stephen draws out the theme of misunderstanding: Moses expected Israel to see God's hand of deliverance in him, yet they failed to grasp it. This pointed comment exposes a pattern in Israel's history of failing to recognize God's appointed deliverers. It builds toward Stephen's charge that his hearers have likewise failed to recognize Jesus, the Righteous One.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Luke 18:34And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
- 1 Cor 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
- 2 Cor 6:1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
- Luke 9:45But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
- 1 Sam 19:5For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?
- 2 Kgs 5:1Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
- Acts 14:27And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
- Rom 15:18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
- 1 Cor 3:9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
- Col 1:29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
- Ps 106:7Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.
- 1 Sam 14:45And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
- Acts 15:4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
- Acts 15:7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
- Mark 9:32But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
- Acts 21:19And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 7:25 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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