Acts 2 37

Acts 2:37 kjv

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Acts 2:37 nkjv

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

Acts 2:37 niv

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

Acts 2:37 esv

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

Acts 2:37 nlt

Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"

Acts 2 verses

Acts 2 37 Meaning

Acts 2:37 describes the immediate and powerful response of the audience to Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Upon hearing his declaration that Jesus, whom they had crucified, was now both Lord and Christ, their conscience was deeply troubled. They experienced profound internal conviction, often described as a spiritual wound, leading them to earnestly inquire of Peter and the other apostles about what steps they should take in response to this revelation and their newfound understanding of their own culpability. This verse marks the turning point where conviction of sin leads to a desperate search for redemption.

Acts 2 37 Context

Acts chapter 2 chronicles the powerful descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, marking the birth of the Church. Peter, filled with the Spirit, delivered his inaugural sermon to a large multitude of devout Jews from various nations, who were astonished by the disciples speaking in different languages. Peter's sermon carefully outlined the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (Acts 2:17-21), powerfully proclaimed Jesus as the crucified and resurrected Messiah (Acts 2:22-35), citing Old Testament scriptures (Ps 16:8-11; 110:1), and culminating in the indictment that the audience, though devout Jews, had been instrumental in crucifying God's appointed Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). Verse 37 follows immediately as the spiritual and emotional climax of this convicting message, where the divine truth penetrates their innermost being, setting the stage for their corporate repentance and conversion. Historically, these individuals represented a significant cross-section of Judaism, many of whom might have witnessed or been complicit in Jesus's crucifixion just weeks prior during Passover. Their immediate, deeply personal response signifies a profound reversal from hostility or indifference to piercing conviction and a desperate desire for reconciliation with God.

Acts 2 37 Word analysis

• Now when they heard this (ἀκούσαντες δέ ταῦτα, akousantes de tauta):

  • This phrase indicates not mere physical reception of sound, but a deeper comprehension and acknowledgment of Peter's words, specifically his concluding indictment (Acts 2:36).
  • It points to a transition from intellectual understanding to spiritual reception of truth, enabling the Holy Spirit's work.
  • Their "hearing" involved accepting the truth about Jesus as Lord and Christ and recognizing their own collective role in His death.

• they were cut to the heart (κατενύγησαν τὴν καρδίαν, katenygēsan tēn kardian):

  • were cut (κατενύγησαν, katenygēsan): A passive verb, meaning "they were deeply pierced, pricked, stung." The root nysso signifies a sudden, sharp puncture or jab, often used for a military blow or a sharp prick. The intensive prefix kata- amplifies this, suggesting a profound, thorough piercing.
  • This is not just emotional sadness or guilt, but a deep spiritual conviction, a wound that touches the core of one's being. It's an inner anguish caused by the realization of personal sin against a holy God.
  • This imagery echoes Old Testament calls to repentance where external actions like rending garments were insufficient, emphasizing the need for an internal "rending of the heart" (Joel 2:13).
  • It also parallels the prophetic suffering of those who would "look on him whom they have pierced, and mourn for him" (Zech 12:10), a reference to the crucifixion of the Messiah.
  • to the heart (τὴν καρδίαν, tēn kardian): In biblical thought, the "heart" signifies the very center of a person's inner life—their will, intellect, emotions, conscience, and moral decisions. This indicates the conviction went beyond surface-level emotion; it impacted their entire moral and spiritual essence.
  • Significance: This intense internal experience is a direct result of the Holy Spirit convicting them of sin, righteousness, and judgment (Jn 16:8). It signifies true spiritual awakening and a recognition of their desperate spiritual condition.

• and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles (εἶπον τε πρὸς Πέτρον καὶ τοὺς λοιποὺς ἀποστόλους, eipon te pros Petron kai tous loipous apostolous):

  • Their response was not private but public and directed towards the authoritative messengers of God.
  • It shows they acknowledged the authority and divine origin of the message and sought guidance from those entrusted with the gospel.
  • This immediate and collective appeal suggests a unified spiritual experience and communal desire for salvation.

• 'Brothers, what shall we do?' (Τί ποιήσωμεν, ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί; Ti poiēsōmen, andres adelphoi?):

  • Brothers (andres adelphoi): A respectful address from one group of Jews to another, recognizing a shared heritage, yet now spoken from a place of spiritual vulnerability and urgent need.
  • What shall we do? (Ti poiēsōmen?): This is a question born of deep conviction and urgency, an immediate call for action and direction, not simply intellectual curiosity. It signifies:
    • Recognition of Guilt: They understand their involvement in crucifying the Messiah.
    • Desire for Redemption: They are seeking a way out of their sinful predicament and a means of reconciliation with God.
    • Urgency: The conviction is so profound that it demands an immediate response and solution.
  • This query marks a profound spiritual turning point from rebellion or indifference to a willingness to obey and submit to God's will. It is the hallmark question of a convicted soul seeking salvation.

Acts 2 37 Bonus section

The intense conviction experienced by the audience on Pentecost underscores the power of the Spirit in combination with the authoritative proclamation of God's Word. This deep inner "cutting" contrasts sharply with the crowd's previous cries for Jesus to be crucified, demonstrating a radical spiritual transformation initiated by divine agency. It also serves as a model for genuine repentance, showing that it begins not just with an intellectual agreement to facts, but with a profound, emotional and volitional recognition of sin, leading to a desperate search for grace and direction for change. Their corporate response suggests that shared conviction can lead to a collective movement towards faith and a new community in Christ.

Acts 2 37 Commentary

Acts 2:37 encapsulates the Holy Spirit's convicting power through the proclamation of the Word. Peter's Spirit-filled sermon cut straight to the core of his Jewish audience, revealing their profound sin in rejecting and crucifying their Messiah. The phrase "cut to the heart" conveys an unbearable, painful conviction, going beyond intellectual assent to a deep, internal anguish and recognition of their offense against God. This spiritual wound was not for destruction, but for healing, prompting a desperate and sincere cry for direction. Their collective question, "Brothers, what shall we do?" highlights their immediate understanding of their guilt and their fervent desire for salvation and reconciliation with God. This verse powerfully illustrates the necessary sequence: hearing God's truth, conviction of sin, godly sorrow, and an urgent desire for action—all foundational to true repentance and conversion, laying the groundwork for Peter's instruction to repent and be baptized.

Examples of the heart being "cut":

• A person deeply convicted after hearing about Christ's sacrifice, realizing their personal sin contributes to it, feels an overwhelming sadness and an urgent need to confess.
• Someone whose moral conscience is seared might feel nothing initially but upon encountering divine truth, experiences a sharp, painful awakening to their true spiritual condition, prompting them to cry out for help.