Acts 7:25

25 For he thought that his brethren would understand that God by his hand was giving them deliverance. But they understood not.

Acts 7:25 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 7:25

For he supposed his brethren would have understood him,
&c.] From his being an Hebrew in such high life; from his wonderful birth, and miraculous preservation in his infancy, and education in Pharaoh's court; and from the promise of God that he would visit them and save them:

how that God by his hand would deliver them:
wherefore he was the more emboldened to kill the Egyptian, believing that his brethren would make no advantage of it against him; but look upon it as a beginning and pledge of their deliverance by him:

but they understood not;
or "him not", as the Ethiopic version reads; they did not understand that he was to be their deliverer, or that this action of his was a token of it.

Acts 7:25 In-Context

23 And when a period of forty years was fulfilled to him, it came into his heart to look upon his brethren, the sons of Israel;

24 and seeing a certain one wronged, he defended [him], and avenged him that was being oppressed, smiting the Egyptian.

25 For he thought that his brethren would understand that God by his hand was giving them deliverance. But they understood not.

26 And on the morrow he shewed himself to them as they were contending, and compelled them to peace, saying, *Ye* are brethren, why do ye wrong one another?

27 But he that was wronging his neighbour thrust him away, saying, Who established thee ruler and judge over us?