Acts 5:33

KJV

When they heard [that], they were cut [to the heart], and took counsel to slay them.

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G1161} they heard {G191} that, they were cut {G1282} to the heart, and {G2532} took counsel {G1011} to slay {G337} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were infuriated and wanted to put the emissaries to death.

Berean Standard Bible

When the Council members heard this, they were enraged, and they resolved to put the apostles to death.

American Standard Version

But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were minded to slay them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:33 vividly portrays the Sanhedrin's enraged and murderous response to the apostles' unwavering testimony concerning the resurrected Jesus. Following Peter's bold declaration that "We ought to obey God rather than men," the Jewish high court, feeling utterly exposed and threatened by the truth, was consumed by a visceral fury that immediately led them to conspire to execute the apostles. This verse marks a critical escalation in the conflict between the nascent Christian movement and the established religious authorities in Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 5:33 follows a dramatic sequence of events. The apostles, having been previously arrested and commanded not to preach in Jesus' name ([Acts 4:18](/acts/4-18 "Acts 4:18 - Sanhedrin's Command")), were miraculously released from prison by an angel and immediately resumed their public ministry in the temple. When the temple guard rearrested them, they were brought before the Sanhedrin for a second time. The high priest confronted them about their disobedience, to which Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, delivered a powerful and defiant sermon, culminating in the declaration found in [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Peter's Declaration to Obey God"). This verse, [Acts 5:33](/acts/5-33 "Acts 5:33 - The Sanhedrin's Enraged Reaction"), describes the immediate, furious reaction of the Sanhedrin to Peter's bold proclamation of Jesus' resurrection and exaltation. The subsequent verses ([Acts 5:34-42](/acts/5-34-42 "Acts 5:34-42 - Gamaliel's Counsel and the Apostles' Release")) detail Gamaliel's intervention, which ultimately saved the apostles' lives, and their continued joyful preaching despite persecution.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sanhedrin was the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative body in Jerusalem, composed of 71 members, including the high priest, chief priests, elders, and scribes. They held significant religious and political authority under Roman oversight. For them, the apostles' preaching of Jesus' resurrection directly challenged their previous condemnation of Jesus as a blasphemer and their role in His crucifixion. The claim that Jesus, whom they had executed, was now exalted by God as "Prince and Savior" ([Acts 5:31](/acts/5-31 "Acts 5:31 - Jesus Exalted as Prince and Savior")) was an existential threat to their authority, theological framework, and social standing. The concept of "taking counsel to slay them" was not uncommon for those deemed heretical or dangerous to the established order, as seen in the plot against Jesus Himself ([John 11:53](/john/11-53 "John 11:53 - Counsel to Kill Jesus")). The intense reaction underscores the deep-seated animosity between the traditional Jewish leadership and the burgeoning Christian movement, which they perceived as a dangerous sect.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in the book of Acts. Firstly, it highlights the **unwavering boldness of the apostles** in proclaiming the Gospel, even in the face of severe threats and persecution, demonstrating their commitment to [obeying God rather than men](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Obeying God Over Men"). Secondly, it underscores the **intense opposition and hostility** that the truth of the Gospel often elicits from those whose power, beliefs, or self-righteousness are challenged. The Sanhedrin's reaction of being "cut to the heart" signifies a profound spiritual resistance, contrasting sharply with the conviction that led to repentance in [Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Acts 2:37 - Pricked in Their Heart"). Thirdly, the verse foreshadows the **inevitability of persecution** for those who faithfully follow Christ, a theme that resonates throughout the New Testament, as Jesus Himself warned His disciples that they would be hated for His name's sake ([Matthew 10:22](/matthew/10-22 "Matthew 10:22 - Hated for Christ's Name")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** From G191, this primary verb means "to hear" in various senses. In this context, it implies not merely the physical act of hearing sounds, but a cognitive reception and understanding of the apostles' words, particularly Peter's declaration. The Sanhedrin fully comprehended the implications of the apostles' message—that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, exalted by God, and that they, the Sanhedrin, were responsible for His unjust death. This understanding, however, did not lead to repentance but to rage.
* **cut to the heart (Greek, _diapríō'_):** From G1282, this word literally means "to saw asunder" or "to be sawn through." Figuratively, it conveys an extreme level of exasperation, fury, and gnashing anger. It describes a visceral, almost physical, reaction of intense internal torment and rage. Unlike the "pricked in their heart" ([Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Acts 2:37 - Pricked in Their Heart")) which led to conviction and repentance, here it signifies a destructive, indignant fury, as if their very being was being ripped apart by the truth they refused to accept.
* **took counsel (Greek, _bouleúō'_):** From G1011, this word means "to advise," "deliberate," or "resolve." It indicates a formal consultation or decision-making process. The Sanhedrin, as a deliberative body, immediately moved from their emotional outrage to a calculated, collective decision to eliminate the apostles. This was not a spontaneous outburst but a considered, albeit malicious, resolution to suppress the truth by violent means.
* **slay (Greek, _anairéō'_):** From G337, this verb means "to take away violently," "abolish," or "murder." It clearly expresses their intent to put the apostles to death. This word highlights the extreme nature of their hostility and their willingness to resort to lethal force to silence the message that threatened their authority and exposed their guilt in the death of Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When they heard that":** This clause refers to the Sanhedrin's reception of Peter's bold testimony, particularly the declaration that "We ought to obey God rather than men" ([Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Peter's Declaration")) and the subsequent assertion of Jesus' resurrection and exaltation as "Prince and Savior" ([Acts 5:30-31](/acts/5-30-31 "Acts 5:30-31 - Jesus Exalted")). Their hearing was not passive; it was an active engagement with words that directly challenged their authority and implicated them in the death of the Messiah.
* **"they were cut to the heart":** This is the immediate, visceral reaction to the apostles' words. The Greek term (diapríō) is incredibly strong, conveying an intense, almost unbearable internal torment. It's a feeling of being "sawn through" or "ripped apart" by the truth. This "cutting" was not conviction leading to repentance, as seen in [Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Acts 2:37 - Pricked in Their Heart"), but rather extreme indignation, rage, and exasperation. The truth exposed their guilt and hypocrisy, and their pride could not bear it, leading to destructive anger.
* **"and took counsel to slay them":** This final clause reveals the direct consequence of their furious state. Their rage immediately translated into a formal, collective decision to commit murder. As the supreme court, they deliberated on how to eliminate the apostles, seeing their continued existence and preaching as an intolerable threat. This demonstrates the depth of their spiritual blindness and their willingness to resort to extreme violence to suppress the divine truth.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs powerful **Imagery** and **Hyperbole** with the phrase "cut to the heart," which literally means "sawn through." This vivid, almost violent, metaphor conveys the extreme emotional and psychological torment of the Sanhedrin, suggesting they felt as if their very being was being ripped apart by the apostles' words. It is a stark **Juxtaposition** to the reaction of the crowd in [Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Acts 2:37 - Pricked in Their Heart"), where being "pricked in their heart" led to conviction and a desire for salvation. Here, the "cutting" leads to murderous intent, highlighting the spiritual **Blindness** and hardened hearts of the religious leaders. The immediate shift from intense emotion to a formal decision to "take counsel to slay them" also serves as **Foreshadowing**, indicating the severe persecution that the early church would continue to face, mirroring the opposition Jesus Himself encountered.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:33 underscores a profound theological truth: the unvarnished proclamation of God's truth, especially concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ, often elicits not only acceptance but also intense, even violent, opposition from those who reject it. The Sanhedrin's reaction reveals the spiritual hardness of heart that resists divine revelation, preferring to cling to human authority and self-righteousness. This rejection of God's messengers and His message is a recurring pattern throughout biblical history, demonstrating humanity's rebellion against divine sovereignty. The murderous intent born of their rage highlights the spiritual battle at play and the lengths to which fallen humanity will go to suppress the light of the Gospel.

* [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Fear God, Not Man"): "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
* [John 15:18](/john/15-18 "The World's Hatred"): "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
* [2 Timothy 3:12](/2_timothy/3-12 "Persecution for Godliness"): "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:33 serves as a sobering reminder that faithfully proclaiming the Gospel will not always be met with open arms or joyful acceptance. The truth of Christ, particularly His resurrection and lordship, can be deeply offensive to those who prefer their own authority or are comfortable in their sin. For believers today, this verse calls for both courage and discernment. We are to speak the truth boldly, as the apostles did, without fear of human reprisal, trusting in God's sovereignty over all outcomes. It also invites us to examine our own hearts: how do we react when confronted with uncomfortable truths from God's Word? Do we allow it to "cut" us to conviction and repentance, or do we harden our hearts in anger or defensiveness? The apostles' steadfastness in the face of murderous intent provides a powerful model for enduring persecution and remaining faithful to our calling, knowing that our ultimate allegiance is to God alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Sanhedrin's reaction to the truth compare with your own initial reactions when God's Word challenges your comfort or assumptions?**
* **In what ways might the modern world, or even religious institutions, exhibit a similar "cut to the heart" reaction to the uncompromising truth of the Gospel?**
* **What specific fears might prevent you from speaking God's truth boldly, and how can the apostles' example in Acts 5:33 encourage you to overcome them?**
* **How does understanding the potential for hostile reactions prepare you to share your faith more effectively and resiliently?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the phrase "cut to the heart" in Acts 5:33 compared to other uses in Acts?**

Answer: The phrase "cut to the heart" (Greek: _diapríō_) in [Acts 5:33](/acts/5-33 "Acts 5:33 - Cut to the Heart") signifies an intense, exasperated rage and indignation, leading to murderous intent. This is in stark contrast to the phrase "pricked in their heart" (Greek: _katanýssō_) used in [Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Acts 2:37 - Pricked in Their Heart"). In [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost"), the people were "pricked" by Peter's sermon, leading to conviction, repentance, and the question, "What shall we do?" Here in [Acts 5](/acts/5 "Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira, Apostles Imprisoned"), the Sanhedrin's "cutting" is a violent, internal tearing caused by the truth exposing their guilt and challenging their authority, resulting in a desire to destroy the source of their discomfort—the apostles. It highlights two vastly different responses to the Gospel: one leading to salvation, the other to hardened rejection and violence.

**Why did the Sanhedrin immediately "take counsel to slay them" after hearing the apostles' testimony?**

Answer: The Sanhedrin's immediate counsel to slay the apostles stemmed from several factors. Firstly, the apostles' testimony directly implicated the Sanhedrin in the unjust execution of Jesus, whom God had now exalted as "Prince and Savior" ([Acts 5:31](/acts/5-31 "Acts 5:31 - Jesus Exalted")). This was a profound challenge to their authority and a public accusation of their grave error. Secondly, the apostles' unwavering obedience to God over human commands ([Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Obeying God Over Men")) and their continued preaching in the temple after miraculous release from prison demonstrated their defiance and the perceived futility of the Sanhedrin's previous warnings. The Sanhedrin feared losing control and influence over the populace, especially if the message of Jesus' resurrection gained more traction. Their rage was fueled by a combination of wounded pride, theological offense, and a desperate desire to suppress a movement they viewed as a dangerous threat to their religious and political order.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:33, with the Sanhedrin's murderous rage, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the very life and death of Jesus Himself. The apostles' experience of being "cut to the heart" and facing a plot to be "slain" mirrors the intense opposition and violent rejection that Jesus endured throughout His earthly ministry. Just as the Sanhedrin conspired to kill the apostles, they had previously "taken counsel" to put Jesus to death ([John 11:53](/john/11-53 "John 11:53 - Counsel to Kill Jesus")), precisely because His truth, His claims of divinity, and His challenge to their hypocrisy "cut them to the heart" in a similar, destructive way. The apostles, as Christ's representatives, were experiencing the very persecution Jesus foretold His followers would face ([John 15:20](/john/15-20 "John 15:20 - Persecution of Disciples")). Ultimately, the Sanhedrin's counsel to slay the apostles, though thwarted by Gamaliel, foreshadows the ultimate slaying of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who was led "as a sheep to the slaughter" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - Lamb to the Slaughter"), quoted in [Acts 8:32](/acts/8-32 "Acts 8:32 - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch")). Yet, it is through this very act of rejection and death that God's redemptive plan was fulfilled, culminating in Christ's resurrection and exaltation as "Prince and Savior" ([Acts 5:31](/acts/5-31 "Acts 5:31 - Jesus Exalted as Prince and Savior")), the very truth the apostles were boldly proclaiming, to the Sanhedrin's infuriated dismay.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 7:54

¶ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with [their] teeth.

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?

Luke 4:28

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

Luke 4:29

And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

Matthew 24:9

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

John 16:2

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

Matthew 23:34

¶ Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city: