Acts 2:37

¶ 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?

Now {G1161} when they heard {G191} this, they were pricked {G2660} in their heart {G2588}, and {G5037} said {G2036} unto {G4314} Peter {G4074} and {G2532} to the rest {G3062} of the apostles {G652}, Men {G435} and brethren {G80}, what {G5101} shall we do {G4160}?

On hearing this, they were stung in their hearts; and they said to Kefa and the other emissaries, “Brothers, what should we do?”

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

Now when they heardthis, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?

Commentary

Acts 2:37 captures a pivotal moment in the early church, immediately following Peter's powerful sermon on the Day of Pentecost. This verse describes the profound and immediate impact of the gospel message on the thousands gathered in Jerusalem.

Context of Acts 2:37

This verse occurs at the climax of Peter's sermon, delivered after the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in various tongues (Acts 2:4). Peter, empowered by the Spirit, boldly proclaimed that Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had crucified, was indeed the Messiah, God's appointed Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). The audience consisted of devout Jews and proselytes from across the Roman world, gathered for the feast. They had witnessed the miraculous outpouring of the Spirit and now heard a clear, convicting explanation of its meaning and the identity of Jesus.

Meaning of "Pricked in Their Heart"

The phrase "pricked in their heart" is a vivid translation of the Greek word katanyssō (κατανύσσω). This term literally means "to pierce through," "to sting," or "to wound deeply." It conveys a sense of sharp, painful conviction and remorse, not just intellectual understanding. It signifies that Peter's words, empowered by the Holy Spirit, penetrated their innermost being, exposing their sin and their complicity in the crucifixion of Jesus. This deep spiritual awakening led to genuine distress and a powerful desire for change.

Key Themes and Significance

  • Divine Conviction: The immediate response demonstrates the Holy Spirit's work in convicting hearts of sin and righteousness (John 16:8). It wasn't just an intellectual agreement but a profound spiritual realization.
  • Power of the Gospel: This verse beautifully illustrates the transformative power of the gospel when proclaimed under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The message of Christ's death and resurrection has the ability to pierce the hardest hearts.
  • Cry for Repentance: Their urgent question, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?", is a direct cry for guidance on how to respond to this newfound understanding and conviction. It sets the stage for Peter's call to repentance and baptism in the very next verse (Acts 2:38), leading to the salvation of about three thousand souls.
  • Foundation of the Church: This moment marks a crucial step in the formation and growth of the early Christian church, demonstrating the initial response to the apostolic preaching.

Practical Application

Acts 2:37 remains highly relevant today. It teaches us that true spiritual awakening often begins with a deep conviction of sin and a realization of our need for God's grace. The question "what shall we do?" is the appropriate response to the truth of the gospel, leading to a desire for repentance and a commitment to follow Christ. For those sharing the gospel, it highlights the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit to bring conviction, as human words alone cannot pierce the heart in this way. For listeners, it encourages an open and honest response to God's truth, leading to salvation and new life.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts An Analysis of Peter's Sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2) 3 Key Turning Points in the Book of Acts Peter's Sermon at Pentecost An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles: The Birth of the Church

Cross-References

  • Luke 3:10

    And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

  • Acts 22:10

    And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

  • Acts 16:29

    Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

  • Acts 16:31

    And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

  • Hebrews 4:12

    For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

  • Hebrews 4:13

    Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  • Luke 3:14

    And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any] falsely; and be content with your wages.
← Back