He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn’t understand.
Parallel translations
- KJV For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
- 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 18:34They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said.
- 1 Cor 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
- 2 Cor 6:1Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,
- Luke 9:45But they didn’t understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
- 1 Sam 19:5for he put his life in his hand, and struck the Philistine, and Yahweh worked a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?”
- 2 Kgs 5:1Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.
- Acts 14:27When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations.
- Rom 15:18For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
- 1 Cor 3:9For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s farming, God’s building.
- Col 1:29for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
- Ps 106:7Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn’t remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.
- 1 Sam 14:45The people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has worked with God today!” So the people rescued Jonathan, that he didn’t die.
- Acts 15:4When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.
- Acts 15:7When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News, and believe.
- Mark 9:32But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
- Acts 21:19When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through 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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