For Moses saidThis phrase refers to a prophecy given by Moses, found in
Deuteronomy 18:15-19. Moses, as a central figure in the Old Testament, was a prophet, leader, and lawgiver. His words carried significant authority among the Israelites, and his prophecies were considered foundational to Jewish expectations of a coming Messiah.
‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet
This prophecy speaks of a future prophet whom God Himself will appoint. The phrase "raise up" indicates divine action and selection, emphasizing that this prophet will be chosen by God, not by human decision. This aligns with the Jewish expectation of a Messiah, a divinely appointed leader who would guide and deliver Israel.
like me
Moses was a unique prophet who spoke with God face to face and led the Israelites out of Egypt. The comparison "like me" suggests that the coming prophet would have a similar intimate relationship with God and a significant role in delivering and guiding God's people. This is seen as a typology of Jesus Christ, who is considered the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy, as He is both a prophet and the Son of God.
from among your brothers
This indicates that the prophet would be an Israelite, coming from the Jewish people. It emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant with Israel and His faithfulness to His promises. Jesus, being born into a Jewish family, fulfills this aspect of the prophecy, reinforcing His role as the promised Messiah to the Jewish nation.
You must listen to Him
This command underscores the authority of the coming prophet. Listening implies obedience and submission to His teachings and commands. In the New Testament, Jesus is often portrayed as one who speaks with authority, and His teachings are central to Christian doctrine. This phrase highlights the importance of heeding His words for guidance and salvation.
in everything He tells you
The scope of the prophet's authority is comprehensive, covering all aspects of life and faith. This reflects the belief that Jesus' teachings are complete and sufficient for guiding believers in all matters of faith and practice. It also points to the necessity of accepting Jesus' message in its entirety, as partial acceptance would not fulfill the command to listen to Him in everything.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesA central figure in the Old Testament, Moses is the prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Law from God on Mount Sinai. In this verse, he is quoted as prophesying about a future prophet.
2.
The Lord your GodRefers to Yahweh, the God of Israel, who is the ultimate authority and the one who will raise up the prophet.
3.
A Prophet like MosesThis is a reference to Jesus Christ, who is seen as the fulfillment of Moses' prophecy. Jesus, like Moses, is a mediator between God and His people.
4.
The Israelites (Your Brothers)The original audience of Moses' prophecy, representing the people of Israel, from whom the prophet would arise.
5.
Peter's SermonThis event takes place during Peter's sermon in Solomon's Colonnade, where he addresses the people of Israel after healing a lame man, using this prophecy to point to Jesus as the Messiah.
Teaching Points
The Fulfillment of ProphecyJesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, affirming the continuity and reliability of Scripture.
The Authority of JesusAs the prophet like Moses, Jesus holds divine authority, and we are called to listen to Him in all things.
The Importance of ObedienceJust as the Israelites were commanded to listen to the prophet, we are called to obey Jesus' teachings in our daily lives.
The Role of ProphetsProphets serve as God's messengers, and their words are vital for understanding God's will and purpose.
The Unity of ScriptureThe New Testament consistently affirms and fulfills the Old Testament, showing the unity and coherence of God's redemptive plan.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Acts 3:22?
2.How does Acts 3:22 emphasize Jesus as the prophet Moses foretold?
3.What role does obedience play in Acts 3:22's message about listening to Jesus?
4.How does Deuteronomy 18:15 connect with Acts 3:22's prophecy fulfillment?
5.How can we actively "listen to Him" in our daily lives?
6.What are the consequences of ignoring the prophet mentioned in Acts 3:22?
7.How does Acts 3:22 relate to the prophecy of Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15?
8.Why is Moses' prophecy significant in understanding Jesus' role in Acts 3:22?
9.How does Acts 3:22 affirm Jesus as the promised prophet?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 3?
11.What similarities exist between Moses and Jesus?
12.Is Jesus the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King?
13.Who were the believers in the Old Testament?
14.How do Christians view Muhammad versus biblical prophets?What Does Acts 3:22 Mean
For Moses saidPeter anchors his sermon in the words of Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18), affirming that what is happening in Jerusalem fulfills long-promised prophecy.
• The crowd, steeped in the Law, recognizes Moses as ultimate human authority; by quoting him, Peter removes all doubt about divine endorsement (John 5:45-47).
• Scripture’s seamless unity is on display: what Moses foretold, God is now completing through Jesus (Acts 3:18, 24).
The Lord your GodThe initiative is entirely the Lord’s. Salvation is not humanity’s search for God but God’s gracious reaching down.
• “The LORD” (YHWH) underscores covenant faithfulness first revealed to Israel (Exodus 3:14-15).
• “Your God” reminds hearers of personal relationship—He is not distant but bound to His people (Jeremiah 31:33).
• The same covenant-keeping God who delivered from Egypt now delivers through Christ (Luke 1:68-70).
will raise up for youGod actively brings forth the promised Prophet, highlighting both provision and resurrection.
• “Will raise up” echoes resurrection language used of Jesus (Acts 2:24, 32), confirming that His rising from the dead authenticates His prophetic office.
• The phrase assures Israel the gift is “for you”—personal, immediate, and gracious (Romans 8:32).
• Divine initiative eliminates boasting; salvation is all of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
a prophet like meMoses prefigures Jesus in numerous ways:
• Mediator: Moses stood between God and Israel (Exodus 20:18-19); Jesus is the sole mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).
• Revelation: Moses delivered the Law; Jesus embodies and explains God’s full revelation (John 1:17-18;Hebrews 1:1-2).
• Miracles: Both authenticated their message through mighty works (Exodus 7–12;Acts 2:22).
• Deliverance: Moses led physical exodus; Jesus leads spiritual exodus from sin (Colossians 1:13-14).
• Intercession: Moses pleaded for Israel (Exodus 32:11-14); Jesus ever lives to intercede (Hebrews 7:25).
from among your brothersThe Prophet is not angelic but truly human, sharing Israelite lineage.
• Jesus’ genealogy roots Him in Abraham and David (Matthew 1;Luke 3), fulfilling covenant promises (Genesis 12:3;2 Samuel 7:12-13).
• His full humanity enables sympathetic priesthood (Hebrews 2:14-17).
• Incarnation places Him squarely inside human history, ensuring our redemption is concrete, not mythical (John 1:14).
You must listen to HimResponse moves from curiosity to obedience.
• At the Transfiguration the Father commands, “Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5), echoingDeuteronomy 18.
• Refusal to hear is rebellion against God Himself (Acts 3:23).
• Listening entails trust and submission—faith that leads to action (James 1:22).
in everything He tells youChrist’s authority is comprehensive.
• Selective obedience is disobedience; Jesus’ words judge the last day (John 12:48-50).
• All teaching—gospel invitation, ethical commands, eschatological promises—carries equal weight (Matthew 28:20).
• Accepting His authority brings life and blessing (John 6:68;Revelation 22:14).
summaryActs 3:22 declares that the covenant-keeping LORD has personally provided the long-awaited Prophet—Jesus Christ—who, like Moses yet infinitely greater, reveals God, redeems His people, and demands total allegiance. Because He arose from among His brothers and from the grave itself, His words bear ultimate authority. Listening to Him in everything is not optional; it is the pathway to life, blessing, and fulfillment of all God’s promises.
(22)
For Moses truly said unto the fathers.--Better,
For Moses indeed said,the word being one of the common conjunctions, and not the adverb which means "truthfully." The appeal is made to Moses in his two-fold character as lawgiver and prophet. As the words stand, taken with their context, they seem to point to the appearance of a succession of true prophets as contrasted with the diviners of
Deuteronomy 18:14; and, even with St. Peter's interpretation before us, we may well admit those prophets as primary and partial fulfilments of them. But the words had naturally fixed the minds of men on the coming of some one great prophet who should excel all others, and we find traces of that expectation in the question put to the Baptist, "Art thou the prophet?" (
John 1:21;
John 1:25.) None that came between Moses and Jesus had been "like unto the former," as marking a new epoch, the channel of a new revelation, the giver of a new law.
In all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.--The words are inserted by St. Peter as a parenthesis in the actual quotation, and suggest the thought of a quotation from memory.
Verse 22.- Moses indeed said for
Moses truly said unto the fathers, A.V. and T.R.;
the Lord God for
the Lord your God, A.V. and T.R.;
from among for
of, A.V.;
to him shall ye hearken for
him shall ye hear, A V. ;
speak for
say, A.V.
Moses indeed said. Peter now verifies his assertion about the prophets in the previous verse by quoting from Moses, and referring to Samuel and those that came after.
A prophet, etc. The quotation is from
Deuteronomy 18:15-18. That this was understood by the Jews to relate to some one great prophet who had not yet come, appears from the question "Art thou that prophet?" (
John 1:21), and from the saying of the Jews after the miracle of the loaves and fishes, "This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world" (
John 6:14;
John 7:40). St. Peter here teaches that that prophet was none other than Christ himself, who was like unto Moses in the fullness of the revelation given unto him, in his being a Mediator between God and the people, in being the Author of a new law - the law of faith and love, in building a new tabernacle for God to inhabit, even the Church in which he will dwell for ever and ever (see
Hebrews 1:1, 2).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Forμὲν(men)Conjunction
Strong's 3303:A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de.MosesΜωϋσῆς(Mōusēs)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3475:Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.said,εἶπεν(eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.‘Theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.LordΚύριος(Kyrios)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.yourὑμῶν(hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.GodΘεὸς(Theos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.will raise upἀναστήσει(anastēsei)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 450:To raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear. From ana and histemi; to stand up.for youὑμῖν(hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.a prophetΠροφήτην(Prophētēn)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4396:From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.likeὡς(hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.meἐμέ(eme)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.from amongἐκ(ek)Preposition
Strong's 1537:From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.yourὑμῶν(hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.brothers.ἀδελφῶν(adelphōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 80:A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.You must listen toἀκούσεσθε(akousesthe)Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 191:To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.Himαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.inκατὰ(kata)Preposition
Strong's 2596:A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).everythingπάντα(panta)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.He tellsλαλήσῃ(lalēsē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2980:A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.you.ὑμᾶς(hymas)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
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NT Apostles: Acts 3:22 For Moses indeed said to the fathers (Acts of the Apostles Ac) 
