“And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,”
'He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would not survive - but Moses was born, and he was very beautiful. For three months he was cared for by his family - Stephen condenses the oppression narrative (Exodus 1:15-2:10), focusing on infanticide and Moses's birth. Moses appears as the son delivered from death, foreshadowing Jesus. The 'very beautiful' (asteios tō theō) echoes Exodus 2:2, suggesting Moses's beauty as a sign of divine favor.
Church Fathers on Acts 7:9
And the patriarchs moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt. Acts 7:9 Here again, the type of Christ. Though they had no fault to find with him, and though he came on purpose to bring them their food, they thus ill-treated him. Still here again the promise, though it is a long while first, receives its fulfillment. And God was with him— this also is for them —
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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