Acts 7:28

The Rejection and Flight of Moses · Acts 7:23–29

Modern

Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’

Traditional

Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?

Literal

Do you want to kill me the same way you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’

Latin

Numquid interficere me tu vis, quemadmodum interfecisti heri Ægyptium?

Greek

English

Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’

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.

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