Acts 7:23

Translations

Modern

When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.

Traditional

And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

Literal

Now when a period of forty years was fulfilled to him, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the sons of Israel.

Latin

Cum autem impleretur ei quadraginta annorum tempus, ascendit in cor ejus ut visitaret fratres suos filios Israël.

Original

Greek

English

When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.

Notes

Acts 7:1–53

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

Moses Simon Peter Stephen The Jewish High Council Encounters with Jesus Fearing People Persecution The Exodus as History The Holy Spirit’s Presence The Righteous Suffer

Events

Stephen addresses the councilc. AD 30

Related verses

Exodus 2:11–12
One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people.
Hebrews 11:24–26
By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
Philippians 2:12–13
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Ezra 7:27
Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem,
Revelation 17:17
For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
Ezra 1:1
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows:
Exodus 35:29
So all the men and women of the Israelites whose hearts prompted them brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.
Exodus 4:18
Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, “Please let me return to my brothers in Egypt to see if they are still alive.” “Go in peace,” Jethro replied.
Exodus 35:21
And everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its services, and for the holy garments.
Ezra 1:5
So the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites—everyone whose spirit God had stirred—prepared to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.

Parallels

Exodus 2:11–22

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Apocalypse of James Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Circumcision Courts and Trials Hellenism Jerusalem Council Moses Numbers and Numerology Paul the Apostle Persecution Peter, the Apostle Stephen

Topics

Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Government: Constitutes Select Readings: Stephen's Defense

Acts 7:23

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