When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,

ACTS 7:31KJV
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Acts 7:31 (KJV)

What does Acts 7:31 mean?

Acts 7:31 describes Moses seeing a remarkable sight that filled him with wonder, and as he approached to look more closely, he heard the voice of the Lord speaking to him. This verse highlights the moment when Moses encounters something extraordinary and is drawn in, leading to a direct communication from God.

In this scene, Stephen is speaking to the Jewish council, recounting the story of Moses at the burning bush from the Old Testament. The verse emphasizes Moses’s amazement and curiosity at the sight, which sets the stage for God’s revelation to him. This moment is pivotal because it marks the beginning of Moses’s special calling to lead the Israelites.

The Greek behind Acts 7:31

  • θαῦμα (thauma, "wondered" — G2296): This word means to be amazed or astonished. The Greek here suggests Moses was deeply struck by what he saw, not just mildly curious.
  • φωνή (phōnē, "voice" — G5456): This word means a sound or voice. The use here stresses that Moses did not just see something unusual; he also heard a clear message from God.
  • κύριος (kyrios, "Lord" — G2962): This is the standard Greek word for "Lord," often used in the New Testament to refer to God. Its use here makes clear that the voice Moses heard was divine.

Why Acts 7:31 matters

  • Acts 7:31 shows that Moses’s encounter with God began with wonder and curiosity, not with certainty or understanding, which highlights the human side of responding to God’s call.
  • This verse connects Stephen’s speech to the larger story of Israel’s history, showing continuity between Moses’s experience and the message Stephen is delivering.
  • By emphasizing both the sight and the voice, Acts 7:31 underlines that God’s revelation often comes in unexpected ways and moments, inviting a response.

Where else these words appear

“sight” Greek G3705 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
  • Acts 10:3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
  • Acts 12:9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

“behold” Greek G2657 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
  • Luke 20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
  • Romans 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

“wondered” Greek G2296 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
  • Luke 1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
  • John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

“Moses” Greek G3475 · used in 79 verses

  • Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • John 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
  • Acts 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.