Acts 7:54

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G1161} they heard {G191} these things {G5023}, they were cut {G1282} to the heart {G2588}{G846}, and {G2532} they gnashed {G1031} on {G1909} him {G846} with their teeth {G3599}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On hearing these things, they were cut to their hearts and ground their teeth at him.

Berean Standard Bible

On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him.

American Standard Version

Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:54 vividly captures the intense, hostile reaction of the Jewish Sanhedrin to Stephen's Spirit-filled sermon. Following Stephen's scathing indictment of their persistent rejection of God's messengers, including the "Just One," the religious leaders were overcome with a violent, animalistic rage, demonstrating a profound hardening of heart that directly preceded Stephen's martyrdom, marking him as the first Christian martyr.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic response to Stephen's lengthy and powerful defense before the Sanhedrin, detailed throughout [Acts 7](/acts/7 "Acts 7 - Stephen's Sermon and Martyrdom"). Stephen, "full of the Holy Spirit" ([Acts 7:55](/acts/7-55 "Acts 7:55 - Stephen's Vision of Christ")), meticulously recounts Israel's history from Abraham through the wilderness wanderings, the building of the Temple, and the consistent pattern of their ancestors' rebellion and persecution of the prophets. He culminates his address with a direct and stinging accusation in [Acts 7:51-53](/acts/7-51-53 "Acts 7:51-53 - Stephen's Accusation"), labeling them "stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears" and accusing them of resisting the Holy Spirit and murdering the prophets who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. Verse 54, therefore, is not merely an emotional outburst but the immediate, visceral, and violent reaction to this profound challenge to their spiritual authority and self-righteousness, setting the stage for Stephen's subsequent stoning.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Stephen's trial occurred in Jerusalem, the heart of Jewish religious and political power, under the authority of the Sanhedrin—the supreme judicial and legislative body of the Jews. This council consisted of seventy-one members, including the high priest, chief priests, elders, and scribes. Their authority, though somewhat limited by Roman rule, was significant in matters of Jewish law and religion. The accusation of resisting the Holy Spirit and persecuting prophets would have been deeply offensive to these leaders, who saw themselves as the guardians of the Law and the true heirs of Israel's spiritual heritage. The "gnashing of teeth" was a common expression of extreme rage, malice, or anguish in the ancient Near East, often associated with wild animals or intense suffering. Their reaction reflects a deep-seated animosity towards the nascent Christian movement, which they perceived as a threat to their religious traditions, authority, and the established order.

* **Key Themes:** [Acts 7:54](/acts/7-54 "Acts 7:54 - The Sanhedrin's Reaction to Stephen") powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in the book of Acts and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **resistance to divine truth** and the **hardening of hearts** when confronted with conviction, contrasting sharply with the repentant response seen in [Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Acts 2:37 - Conviction at Pentecost"). Secondly, it underscores the **cost of prophetic witness**, demonstrating that faithfully proclaiming God's word, especially when it exposes sin or challenges entrenched power, often incurs wrath and persecution, echoing the experiences of prophets throughout Israel's history and foreshadowing the persecution faced by early Christians, as Jesus himself warned in [Matthew 10:22](/matthew/10-22 "Matthew 10:22 - Persecution for Christ's Name"). Finally, it reveals the **spiritual blindness** of those who outwardly adhere to religious law but inwardly reject God's Spirit and His ultimate revelation in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cut (Greek, _diapríō'_):** From G1282, meaning "to saw asunder, i.e. (figuratively) to exasperate." This word conveys a much more violent and grating sensation than simply being "pricked" or "pierced." It suggests that Stephen's words were not merely convicting but were tearing at their inner being, causing extreme vexation, irritation, and fury, like a saw ripping through wood. It denotes an unbearable aggravation rather than a penitent sorrow.
* **heart (Greek, _kardía'_):** From G2588, referring to the "heart," which figuratively represents the thoughts, feelings, and mind—the core of a person's being. When Stephen's words "cut to the heart," it means they penetrated to the very center of the Sanhedrin members' intellect, emotions, and will, exposing their spiritual condition and challenging their deepest convictions.
* **gnashed (Greek, _brýchō'_):** From G1031, a primary verb meaning "to grate the teeth (in pain or rage)." This action is a vivid, almost animalistic, expression of intense fury, malice, and uncontrollable anger. It signifies a complete loss of composure and an overwhelming hatred, often associated with suffering or judgment in other biblical contexts (e.g., [Matthew 13:42](/matthew/13-42 "Matthew 13:42 - Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth")).
* **teeth (Greek, _odoús'_):** From G3599, simply meaning "tooth." When combined with "gnashed," it completes the powerful imagery of a ferocious, uncontrolled, and malicious rage, indicative of a violent intent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When they heard these things":** This refers to the Sanhedrin's reception of Stephen's entire sermon, particularly his culminating accusation in [Acts 7:51-53](/acts/7-51-53 "Acts 7:51-53 - Stephen's Direct Accusation"). Stephen's historical review was a meticulous build-up, designed to expose their consistent pattern of rebellion and rejection of God's messengers, ultimately culminating in their betrayal and murder of the "Just One." The phrase signals the immediate and direct cause-and-effect relationship between Stephen's words and their violent reaction.
* **"they were cut to the heart":** This clause describes the profound internal impact of Stephen's words. Unlike the "pricking" of hearts that led to repentance at Peter's sermon in [Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Acts 2:37 - Conviction and Repentance"), this phrase, using the Greek _diapríō_, signifies a violent, grating, and exasperating internal tearing. It indicates that Stephen's truth did not lead to conviction and sorrow for sin, but rather to an unbearable irritation and fury because their hypocrisy and spiritual blindness were laid bare. Their pride and self-righteousness were deeply offended.
* **"and they gnashed on him with [their] teeth":** This action is an outward manifestation of the intense inner rage described by being "cut to the heart." It portrays a visceral, uncontrolled, and animalistic display of malice and hatred directed specifically at Stephen. This physical act of grinding teeth together signifies extreme anger and a desire for vengeance or harm, underscoring their utter rejection of Stephen's message and their readiness to inflict violence upon him.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 7:54 employs powerful **Imagery** and **Hyperbole** to convey the intensity of the Sanhedrin's reaction. The phrase "cut to the heart" (Greek _diapríō_) evokes the vivid image of being "sawn asunder," a violent and painful process, suggesting an unbearable internal torment caused by Stephen's words. This is not mere annoyance but a deep, lacerating vexation. The subsequent image of "gnashed on him with their teeth" provides a stark visual of animalistic rage and uncontrolled fury, reminiscent of a predator. This **Metaphorical Language** emphasizes the Sanhedrin's descent into a primal, unreasoning hatred, contrasting sharply with Stephen's Spirit-filled composure. The verse also presents a dramatic **Contrast** between the divine truth proclaimed by Stephen and the carnal, violent rejection of that truth by his hearers, highlighting the two possible responses to God's convicting word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:54 stands as a stark testament to the human capacity for hardened resistance against divine truth. The Sanhedrin's reaction demonstrates that conviction, when met with pride and an unwillingness to repent, can escalate into violent rage rather than lead to godly sorrow. Their "being cut to the heart" was not the Spirit-wrought conviction that leads to salvation, but a furious exasperation at having their spiritual hypocrisy exposed. This episode underscores the consistent biblical theme of humanity's rebellion against God's messengers and the tragic consequences of rejecting the Holy Spirit's promptings, culminating in the ultimate rejection of Christ himself. It serves as a sobering reminder that religious devotion, when devoid of genuine humility and openness to truth, can become a breeding ground for profound spiritual blindness and hostility towards God's redemptive plan.

* [Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Acts 2:37 - Conviction Leading to Repentance")
* [Matthew 8:12](/matthew/8-12 "Matthew 8:12 - Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth")
* [John 15:18-20](/john/15-18-20 "John 15:18-20 - The World's Hatred of Believers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:54 offers a profound mirror for self-examination, challenging us to consider our own responses when confronted with uncomfortable truths, especially those from God's Word. The Sanhedrin's reaction reveals the dangerous path of hardened pride, where conviction is met not with humility and repentance, but with escalating anger and hostility. For believers, this verse is a powerful reminder of the cost of faithful witness: proclaiming God's truth, particularly when it exposes sin or challenges societal norms, can provoke fierce opposition. Yet, like Stephen, we are called to speak truth in love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, entrusting the outcome to God. It also encourages discernment, recognizing that while the Spirit convicts, the human heart determines its response. Do we allow God's Word to "cut" us in a way that leads to repentance and transformation, or do we, like the Sanhedrin, allow our pride to fester into rage, resisting the very Spirit that seeks to draw us closer to God?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when confronted with truth that exposes my own shortcomings or challenges my established beliefs?**
* **In what ways might I be resisting the Holy Spirit's conviction in my own life, perhaps by rationalizing sin or clinging to self-righteousness?**
* **What lessons can I draw from Stephen's courageous witness in the face of such intense hostility, and how can I apply them to my own life of faith?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is soft and responsive to God's Word, even when it is uncomfortable or challenging?**

### FAQ

**What is the difference between being "cut to the heart" in Acts 7:54 and "pricked in their heart" in Acts 2:37?**

Answer: While both phrases describe a deep emotional and spiritual impact, their outcomes are diametrically opposed. In [Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Acts 2:37 - Conviction Leading to Repentance"), the Greek word for "pricked" (κατανύσσω, _katanyssō_) denotes a piercing or stinging that leads to remorse, conviction, and ultimately, repentance and conversion. The people asked, "What shall we do?" In [Acts 7:54](/acts/7-54 "Acts 7:54 - The Sanhedrin's Rage"), the Greek word for "cut" (διαπρίω, _diapríō_) literally means "to saw asunder" or "to exasperate." This indicates a violent, grating, and infuriating internal tearing, not leading to sorrow or repentance, but to extreme vexation, rage, and a desire for vengeance. The Sanhedrin's reaction was one of hardened resistance and hostility, culminating in Stephen's martyrdom, rather than a turning to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:54, depicting the violent rejection of Stephen, powerfully foreshadows and reflects the ultimate rejection of Christ himself. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit and bearing witness to the "Just One" ([Acts 7:52](/acts/7-52 "Acts 7:52 - Stephen's Accusation of Murdering the Just One")), stands as a type of Christ. His prophetic words, which cut to the heart of his hearers and provoked their murderous rage, echo the experience of Jesus, whose truth often elicited similar hostility from the religious establishment. Just as the Sanhedrin gnashed their teeth at Stephen, the Jewish leaders and crowds cried out for Jesus' crucifixion, choosing a murderer over the Son of God ([Matthew 27:20-23](/matthew/27-20-23 "Matthew 27:20-23 - The Crowd's Choice")). Stephen's vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God ([Acts 7:55-56](/acts/7-55-56 "Acts 7:55-56 - Stephen's Vision of Jesus")) immediately before his death underscores that his suffering and rejection were in direct communion with his Lord, who himself endured the world's hatred ([John 15:18-20](/john/15-18-20 "John 15:18-20 - The World's Hatred of Christ and His Followers")). Stephen's martyrdom, therefore, is not merely a historical event but a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, demonstrating the enduring pattern of the world's opposition to God's truth and His messengers, a pattern first and most perfectly exemplified in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the ultimate rejected Messiah.

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 5:33

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

Psalms 35:16

With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

Matthew 13:50

And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Luke 13:28

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out.

Job 16:9

He teareth [me] in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

Matthew 25:30

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Acts 22:22

¶ And they gave him audience unto this word, and [then] lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a [fellow] from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.