Acts 7:21

Modern

When he was set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.

Traditional

And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.

Literal

And on his having been exposed, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up and brought him up for herself for a son.

Latin

Exposito autem illo, sustulit eum filia Pharaonis, et nutrivit eum sibi in filium.

Greek

English

When he was set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.

Stephen answered the accusations by speaking about his Lord (see Luke 21:12–17). Instead of defending himself, he became a witness in God's legal case against them. This revealed how contrary they were and their lack of loyalty. Stephen gave a history of Israel's past and reminded them of their repeated rejections of those who announced God's messages.
Stephen's review of Israel's history has three main parts:
1. The work of the patriarchs. This refers to Abraham and those descended from him who founded the nation of Israel (Acts 7:2–16).
2. The ministry of Moses (7:17–43).
3. The role of the tabernacle and the temple (7:44–50).
  Stephen ended his historical survey with a strong criticism of his people's lack of obedience. Like a prophet, he challenged them to stop resisting the Holy Spirit. He told them to turn to God with grief for their sins (repentance) and faith.

Theme notes and profiles

Hebrews 11:24
By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
Exodus 2:2–10
…and she conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months.
Deuteronomy 32:26
I would have said that I would cut them to pieces and blot out their memory from mankind,

Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during Moses' birth and early life