Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 3:23
And it shall come to pass, [that] every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
And it shall come to pass – It shall be, or shall occur. This is not the usual word rendered it shall come to pass. It is a word commonly expressing futurity, but here it conveys the notion of obligation. In this verse Peter has not quoted the passage in Deuteronomy literally, but he has given the sense.
Every soul – Every person or individual. Soul is often put for the whole man by the Hebrews, Act 7:14; Jos 10:28.
Hear that Prophet – That is, obey his instructions. He shall have authority to declare the will of God; and he that does not obey him refuses to obey God. Compare Luk 10:16; Joh 13:20.
Shall be destroyed – This quotation is made according to the sense, and not literally. In the Hebrew the expression is Deu 18:19, I will require it of him, that is, I will hold him answerable or responsible for it; I will punish him. This expression the Septuagint has rendered by I will take vengeance on him. The idea of the passage is, therefore, that God would publish the man that would not hear the prophet, without specifying the particular way in which it should be done. The usual mode of punishing such offences was by cutting the offender off from among the people, Exo 30:33; Exo 12:15; Exo 9:15; Num 15:31; Num 19:13; Lev 7:20-21, Lev 7:25, Lev 7:27, etc. The sense is, that he should be punished in the usual manner; that is, by excision, or by being destroyed from among the people. The word translated shall be destroyed means properly to exterminate, wholly to devote to ruin, as of a wicked people, a wicked man whose life is taken, etc.
To be destroyed from among the people means, however, to be excommunicated, or to be deprived of the privileges of a people. Among the Jews this was probably the most severe punishment that could be inflicted. It involved the idea of being cut off from the privileges of sacrifice and worship in the temple and in the synagogue, etc., and of being regarded as a pagan and an outcast. The idea which Peter expressed here was, that the Jews had exposed themselves to the severest punishment in rejecting and crucifying the Lord Jesus, and that they should, therefore, repent of this great sin, and seek for mercy. The same remark is applicable still to people. The Scriptures abundantly declare the truth, that if sinners will not hear the Lord Jesus, they shall be destroyed. And it becomes each individual to inquire with honesty whether he listens to his instructions and obeys his Law, or whether he is rejecting him and following the devices and desires of his own heart. It will be a solemn day when the sinner shall be called to render a reason why he has rejected the teachings and laws of the Son of God!
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Every soul; that is every one.
Hear that prophet; that is believe and obey him.
Shall be destroyed from among the people; as those that disobeyed Moses were destroyed, many perishing by strange and sudden deaths: we read of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and all that belonged to them, swallowed up for this sin, Num 16:1-50. The apostle demands, How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? Heb 2:3. For a greater than Moses is here, and God hath undertaken to require it of every one that will not hearken unto him, Deu 18:19.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And it shall come to pass, that every soul,…. Every person, man or woman:
which will not hear that prophet; neither believe what he says, nor do what he commands; or as it is in De 18:19 “will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name”: for he that hears not him, hearkens not to God, in whose name he speaks, and whose word he delivers,
shall be destroyed from among the people; in the Hebrew text it is, “I will require it of him”; the Hebrew word, , there used, by having different points, may be rendered “of him”, or “from his people”, which seems to be the reason of this difference: and requiring often intends punishment, or a cutting off; or as Aben Ezra explains it here,
“death by the hand of heaven;”
that is, immediate destruction from God; and so Maimonides says k, he that transgresses the words of that prophet, is guilty of death by the hand of heaven; and which was remarkably fulfilled in the Jewish nation, for their rejection of Jesus as the true Messiah, and that prophet.
k Yesod Hattora, c. 9. sect. 4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
That prophet ( ). Emphasizes the future prophet as on “him” () before “hearken.” They had refused to “hearken” to Moses and now, alas, many had refused to “hearken” to Christ.
Shall be utterly destroyed (). First future passive of – () , a late verb, to destroy utterly (), only here in the N.T., common in the LXX.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Shall be destroyed [] . Only here in New Testament. Rev., “utterly destroyed,” giving the force of ejx out.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And it shall come to pass,” (estai de) “Moreover it shall come to be or exist,” as a future prophetic fact or reality.
2) “That every soul which will not hear that prophet,” (pasa psuche hetis ean me akouse tou prophetou ekeinou) “That whoever (even) every soul (responsible person) who hears not (heeds not) that prophet;- the voice or call of Jesus Christ to salvation, Mat 11:28; Joh 6:37; Luk 13:3; Luk 13:5; Joh 3:3; Joh 3:5. It is Jesus Christ “that prophet” through whom God has spoken, “last of all,” Heb 1:2; Act 4:12.
3) “Shall be destroyed,” (eksolethreuthesetai) “Each will be utterly destroyed,” shall be damned spiritually, shall die in his sins, never go to heaven, Mar 16:16; Joh 8:24; Rom 2:4-8.
4) “From among the people,” (ek tou laou) “Out from among the people,” the true people of Israel, the people of God, those who are begotten of God or born again; Joh 3:18; Joh 3:36.
This destruction refers to the final separation of all people from the presence of God, beyond this life, who have died without personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as savior, Heb 9:27-28.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
23. Every soul. Here, by a most grievous punishment against the rebellious, the authority of all the prophets, but most of all of Christ, is established; and that for good causes. For seeing there is nothing that God doth account more precious than his word, it cannot be that he should suffer the same to be freely contemned. Therefore, if any man despised the law of Moses, he was adjudged to die the death. And hereunto Moses had respect when he said, “He shall be put away from among the people.” For God had adopted the stock and kindred of Abraham unto himself, upon this condition, that this might be sufficient for them unto the chiefest felicity to be reckoned in that number, as it is said in the Psalm, “Blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.” And in another place, “Blessed is the nation whom the Lord hath chosen to be his inheritance.” Wherefore it is not to be doubted, but that he pronounceth that he shall be blotted out of the book of life whosoever shall refuse to hear Christ. For he is not worthy to be accounted one of the Church, whosoever he be that refuseth to have him to be his Master, by whom alone God doth teach us, and by whom he will have us to hear himself; and he cutteth himself away from the body, whosoever he be that refuseth to be under the Head.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(23) Shall be destroyed from among the people.The original has it, I will require it of him (Deu. 18:19). The words which St. Peter substitutes are as an echo of a familiar phrase which occurs in Exo. 12:15; Exo. 12:19; Lev. 17:4; Lev. 17:9, et al. This, again, looks like a citation freely made.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. Destroyed from among In the Hebrew, I will require it of him. Both expressions designate destruction under the divine wrath. Compare 2Th 1:9.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“And it shall be, that every soul who will not listen responsively to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.”
For God had warned severely, that if anyone did not listen to Him responsively as He spoke through that Prophet, he would be cut off from Israel. Here is a clear indication that the coming of Jesus will result in a new Israel arising out of the old, from which all who reject Him will be cut off (compare Joh 15:1-6; Rom 11:16-26). This new Israel will be the nation to whom God will give what the old nation has forfeited (Mat 21:43). A new nation will be formed with the Christ rejecters cast off.
‘Utterly destroyed from among the people.’ Compare Lev 23:29.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Ver. 23. Shall be destroyed ] As it justly befell the refractory Jews; wrath came upon them to the uttermost, 1Th 2:16 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
23 . .] LXX . This word, only known to later Greek, is often found in the LXX. See besides reff., Gen 17:14 ; Deu 9:3 ; Ps. 17:40; 72:27. In most places where it occurs, the readings vary between – – and – -; see var. readd.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 3:23 . , cf. Act 2:17 . The expression, which is not in the Hebrew. seems to call attention to what follows. : “shall be utterly destroyed” ( ), R.V. In the LXX, Deu 18:19 , following the Hebrew, the words are , “I will require it of him”. But the phrase which St. Peter uses was a very common one, from Gen 17:14 , for the sentence of death, cf. also Exo 12:15 ; Exo 12:19 , Lev 17:4 ; Lev 17:9 , Num 15:30 . Here again the quotation is evidently made freely or from memory. The strong verb, although frequent in the LXX, is found only here in the N.T. It is used by Josephus and by Philo, but not in classical Greek. The warning is evidently directed against wilful disobedience, and is expressed in terms signifying the utterness of the destruction from the people. But in their original meaning in the O.T. they need not refer to anything more than the penalty of the death of the body, and it is not necessary to see in them here any threat of eternal punishment in Gehenna (so Wendt, Holtzmann, Felten). If the word has any eschatological bearing it would support the theory of annihilation more easily. Grotius explains ., “morte violenta aut immatura,” and he adds “mystice etiam Rabbini hoc ad poenas post hanc vitam referunt,” but this is quite apart from the primary meaning of the word.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
soul. App-110.
destroyed = utterly destroyed. Greek. exolothreuomai. Only here. Frequently in Septuagint. About eighty times as rendering of karath, cut off. See Gen 17:14. Exo 30:33; Exo 31:14 The quotation is from Deu 18:18, Deu 18:19. App-107. Here the Holy Spirit gives the solemn meaning of “I will require it of him”, as being destruction from among the people. Compare Mal 4:1.
from among. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
23. .] LXX . This word, only known to later Greek, is often found in the LXX. See besides reff., Gen 17:14; Deu 9:3; Ps. 17:40; 72:27. In most places where it occurs, the readings vary between — and –; see var. readd.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 3:23. , moreover it shall come to pass) , a modal [See Append. on Modalis] formula, exciting attention.- , whatsoever) It is implied that many are about to hear this Prophet, and many not about to hear Him.-, shall be utterly destroyed, or exterminated) Instead of the Hebrew, I will require it of him (Deu 18:19), is put that customary formula concerning , utter cutting off. As death is the wages of sin; so a violent death, that is, utter destruction, is the wages of violent (heinous) sin.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
that every: Act 13:38-41, Deu 18:19, Mar 16:16, Joh 3:18-20, Joh 8:24, Joh 12:48, 2Th 1:7-9, Heb 2:3, Heb 10:28-30, Heb 10:39, Heb 12:25, Rev 13:8, Rev 20:15
Reciprocal: Lev 26:14 – General Num 12:7 – My servant Deu 18:15 – a Prophet Deu 34:10 – there arose Isa 42:23 – will give Isa 46:10 – My counsel Hos 9:17 – because Hos 12:13 – General Mat 7:29 – having Mat 11:29 – and learn Mat 12:50 – do Mat 13:57 – A prophet Mat 17:5 – hear Mat 21:11 – This Mar 6:15 – a prophet Mar 9:7 – hear Luk 7:16 – a great Luk 9:35 – hear Joh 7:39 – Of Joh 10:27 – sheep Act 7:37 – him Act 13:41 – for Eph 4:21 – heard Heb 3:5 – for
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Act 3:23. The fate of all who refused to hear (heed) that prophet was that he be destroyed from among the people. The form of that threat is based on the usages of the times of Moses, when the “law of sin and death” was in force (Rom 8:2). Its meaning under Christ is that all who refuse to hear him, will be condemned as disobedient in this world, and will be “punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord” when he comes again (2Th 1:9).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 3:23. And it shall come to pass ( ). These words do not occur in the passage quoted by St. Peter.
Every soul which will not hear that prophet. The apostle had been excusing the people who had crucified the Lord, seeing they had done it ignorantly. Now, in the words of the Pentateuch prophecy, he announces the fate of every soul which, through hardness of heart, self-will, hatred of goodness and purity, refuses to listen to the voice of Jesus the Messiah.
Shall he destroyed from among the people. The words of Deuteronomy, in the passage quoted from the LXX., are , I will require it of him (E. V.), or better translated, I will exact vengeance from him. St. Peter here has substituted an expression which constantly occurs in the Pentateuch; and as Hackett remarks, the only difference is, while the original words of the passage in Deuteronomy affirm the purpose of God to exact vengeance, the well-known formula employed by the apostle defines the nature of the punishment reserved for that stubborn soul which refuses to hear the Lord Jesus. This punishment is exclusion from the kingdom of God, from life in its highest sense; and this exclusion from life carries with it the sentence of eternal death (see also De Wette and Meyer).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 22
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
TRIBULATION
23. And it shall come to pass that whosoever may not hear that prophet will be cut off from the people. May hear in this verse is in the subjunctive mood, revealing contingency, which is peculiar to man alone, as there are no contingencies with God. While we all fully recognize human free agency, yet the present dispensation, like all of her predecessors, is fast hardening into infidelity, grieving the Holy Spirit away, passing the dead line and ripening for destruction. God knows every person who will hear His Son when He comes in His glorious kingdom. He equally well knows every one who will reject Him. During the great tribulation, when the Ancient of Days shall descend on the throne of His righteous retributive judgments (Dan 7:9), He will hackle out of the world everything that will not do for the coming kingdom; so that when the Son rides down on the throne of His millennial glory, He will find none but the elect, i. e., saved and savable people, on the earth. The first work of the transfigured saints will be the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom to all the survivors of the tribulation on the whole face of the earth (Act 15:17). Then shall be verified that notable prophecy, A nation shall be born in a day. This verse is clear and unequivocal that the non-elect, i. e., the people who have crossed the dead-line and are unsavable, shall all be cut off during the tribulation.