And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

ACTS 3:23KJV
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Acts 3:23 (KJV)

What does Acts 3:23 mean?

Acts 3:23 warns that anyone who refuses to listen to the prophet God sends will be cut off from among the people. The verse emphasizes the seriousness of rejecting this prophet’s message, stating that such a person will face destruction or separation from the community.

Peter is speaking to a crowd in Jerusalem, explaining that Jesus is the prophet like Moses whom God promised to send. Peter quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures to show that ignoring Jesus is not just a small matter but has severe consequences, as foretold in their own traditions. This verse highlights the importance of responding to God’s chosen messenger.

The Greek behind Acts 3:23

  • ψυχή (psuchē, "soul"): This word often means a person's life or self, not just an immaterial soul. Here, it stresses that every individual, not just a group or nation, is responsible for their response.
  • ἀκούω (akouō, "hear"): The Greek word means more than just listening; it often carries the idea of hearing with attention or obedience. The warning is not just about physically hearing, but truly accepting and following the prophet’s message.
  • ἐξολεθρεύω (exolethreuō, "destroyed"): This word means to utterly remove or cut off. It is a strong term, showing that the consequence is not a minor punishment but a complete separation from the people.

Why Acts 3:23 matters

  • Acts 3:23 clarifies that the warning is not only for outsiders but for every individual within the community who rejects the prophet, making the message personal and urgent.
  • The verse connects Peter’s message about Jesus directly to the authority of Moses and the Hebrew Scriptures, showing continuity between the old promises and their fulfillment in Jesus.
  • Understanding the strong language of being "destroyed" or "cut off" helps readers see the seriousness with which the early church viewed the decision to accept or reject Jesus as God’s chosen messenger.

Where else these words appear

“soul” Greek G5590 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 2:20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
  • Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

“people” Greek G2992 · used in 139 verses

  • Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Luke 22:2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
  • Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

“prophet” Greek G4396 · used in 143 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Luke 4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
  • Acts 7:42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

“which” Greek G3748 · used in 148 verses

  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • John 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
  • Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,