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?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "cut to the heart" (or "pricked in their heart") doesn't just describe sadness, but a sharp, painful sting of realization about their role in Jesus' death and their blindness to the prophecies about the Messiah. This deep, visceral pain is the very beginning of repentance, not despair, as they urgently seek guidance from the apostles.
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?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter has just finished his powerful sermon, explaining that the dramatic event of speaking in tongues wasn't drunkenness but the Holy Spirit being poured out, just as the prophet Joel foretold. He boldly declared Jesus as the Messiah, who was crucified by his audience but raised by God, and is now exalted to the right hand of God. This direct accusation, coupled with the overwhelming evidence of the Spirit's power they had just witnessed, lands like a punch to the gut for many in the crowd.
Imagine hearing something so profound, so convicting, that it physically pains you. That's what happened to these listeners.
The word used for 'cut to the heart' (or 'pricked in their heart') isn't just a gentle nudge of sadness. It conveys a sharp, piercing pain. Think of it like a spear tip or a lancet – a sudden, intense sensation.
This wasn't just intellectual agreement with Peter's sermon; it was a deep emotional and spiritual wounding.
Moments before, they were mocking the apostles. Now, they're pleading for guidance. What caused this dramatic shift?
The transformation in the listeners' attitude is striking. Initially, they were dismissive, even hostile, accusing the apostles of being drunk (Acts 2:13). But after hearing Peter's message, their tone completely changes.
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Understand the original words
katanyssō · Greek Verb
To be deeply troubled or pierced by a realization of guilt or spiritual conviction; it signifies a profound emotional and spiritual awakening to one's sin.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth, whom his followers proclaimed as the Messiah, is arrested, tried, and crucified under Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea.
c. 30 AD
Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus
After Jesus' death, his followers experience and witness his resurrection from the dead. He later ascends into heaven, promising the coming of the Holy Spirit.
c. 30 AD— this verse
The Day of Pentecost
Ten days after Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon his disciples in Jerusalem, enabling them to speak in other languages. This event marks the birth of the Christian Church.
c. 30 AD
Peter's Sermon at Pentecost
In response to the miraculous events, Peter preaches a powerful sermon to the crowd in Jerusalem, identifying Jesus as the Messiah and holding his listeners accountable for his crucifixion.
c. 30 AD
The First Converts
As a result of Peter's sermon and the power of the Holy Spirit, about three thousand people repent, are baptized, and join the early Christian community.
This Old Testament prophecy foretells a future outpouring of the Spirit that leads to mourning and repentance over 'him whom they have pierced,' directly echoing the deep remorse felt by the crowd in Acts 2.
Matthew 27:24-25Pilate washed his hands to absolve himself, but the crowd cried, 'His blood be on us and on our children!' This verse shows a people willing to accept responsibility for Jesus' death, a stark contrast to the deep repentance seen in Acts 2, where a similar realization of guilt prompts a search for a solution.
Luke 24:47Jesus Himself commanded that 'repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.' This verse highlights that the cry for what to do in Acts 2 was met with the very proclamation Jesus ordained.
Acts 9:5-6Saul, on his way to persecute Christians, asks, 'Who are you, Lord?' and 'What shall I do, Lord?' This mirrors the profound shock and subsequent question of the crowd in Acts 2, showing a dramatic encounter with Christ leading to a desperate plea for guidance.
Romans 11:26This passage speaks of 'all Israel will be saved,' linking the fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy to a future salvation. The deep remorse shown by the crowd in Acts 2 is presented as a crucial step in the eventual salvation and restoration of Israel.
cambridgeActs 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?"
37–40 . Effect of St Peter’s Sermon 37 . pricked in their heart ] stung with remorse at the enormity of the wickedness which had been committed in the Crucifixion, and at the blindness with which the whole nation had closed their eyes to the teaching of the prophecies which had spoken of the Messiah. unto Peter and to the rest of the a…
vincentActs 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?"
They were pricked (κατενύγησαν)Only here in New Testament. The word does not occur in profane Greek. It is found in the Septuagint, as Genesis 34:7, of the grief of the sons of Jacob at the dishonor of Dinah. See, also, Psalm 109:16(Sept. 108) Psalm 109:16 : "broken in heart." The kindred noun κατάνυξις occurs Romans 11:8, in the sen…
The phrase "cut to the heart" (or "pricked in their heart") doesn't just describe sadness, but a sharp, painful sting of realization about their role in Jesus' death and their blindness to the prophecies about the Messiah. This deep, visceral pain is the very beginning of repentance, not despair, as they urgently seek guidance from the apostles.
Peter has just finished his powerful sermon, explaining that the dramatic event of speaking in tongues wasn't drunkenness but the Holy Spirit being poured out, just as the prophet Joel foretold. He boldly declared Jesus as the Messiah, who was crucified by his audience but raised by God, and is now exalted to the right hand of God. This direct accusation, coupled with the overwhelming evidence of the Spirit's power they had just witnessed, lands like a punch to the gut for many in the crowd.
Peter has just finished his powerful sermon, explaining that the dramatic event of speaking in tongues wasn't drunkenness but the Holy Spirit being poured out, just as the prophet Joel foretold. He boldly declared Jesus as the Messiah, who was crucified by his audience but raised by God, and is now exalted to the right hand of God. This direct accusation, coupled with the overwhelming evidence of the Spirit's power they had just witnessed, lands like a punch to the gut for many in the crowd.
"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?”" — The phrase "cut to the heart" (or "pricked in their heart") doesn't just describe sadness, but a sharp, painful sting of realization about their role in Jesus' death and their blindness to the prophe…
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Last reviewed October 2026