Acts 2:37-38
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?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The powerful reaction of the crowd wasn't just sadness; it was a sharp, piercing conviction, like being stung. They didn't just realize they’d made a mistake; they felt the deep wound of their actions, prompting their urgent question: "What must we do to mend this?"
Peter has just preached a powerful sermon on Pentecost, explaining that the Holy Spirit's outpouring is the fulfillment of God's promises and directly connects it to Jesus, whom his listeners had crucified. This explanation wasn't just historical; it was a direct accusation, leaving the crowd stunned and convicted of their role in Jesus' death. Now, they are overwhelmed with remorse and urgency, turning to the apostles with a desperate plea for guidance.
Imagine hearing a sermon that didn't just inform you, but pierced you to the core. That’s exactly what happened here. What does it mean to be 'pricked in the heart'?
The people who heard Peter's sermon experienced a profound emotional and spiritual reaction. The Greek word used here, 'katenygēsan,' suggests being stung, pierced, or pricked with a sharp instrument. It's not just sadness; it's a deep, often sudden, anguish that arises from recognizing the gravity of one's actions or spiritual state.
Here's what this 'pricking' likely entailed for them:
The immediate response to this piercing truth wasn't silence or defensiveness, but a desperate plea: 'What shall we do?' What makes this question so vital?
This question, 'What shall we do?' is more than just a casual inquiry; it's the cry of a soul awakened to its need. It signifies a fundamental shift in perspective and a readiness for transformation.
Here’s why this question is so powerful:
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.
metanoeō · Greek Verb
A fundamental change of mind, heart, and direction regarding sin and God; it is the turning away from self and sin toward faith in Jesus Christ.
baptizō · Greek Verb
An outward, public rite symbolizing identification with Christ, cleansing from sin, and entry into the body of believers. It is an act of obedience to the command of the risen Lord.
aphesis · Greek Noun
The legal and spiritual removal of the guilt, penalty, and power of sin through the sacrifice of Christ, resulting in reconciliation with God.
The profound emotional and spiritual response described in this verse is directly tied to the dramatic events of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, coupled with the powerful, Spirit-filled preaching of Peter on the Day of Pentecost.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish preacher and healer, is crucified in Jerusalem under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. This event is seen by his followers as a fulfillment of prophecy and a sacrifice for sins.
c. 30 AD
Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus
Jesus' followers claim he was resurrected from the dead and later ascended into heaven. This event is central to their belief in his divine authority and the promise of salvation.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem
The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus' followers, empowering them to speak in other languages. This event marks the beginning of the Christian church.
c. 30 AD
Peter's Sermon to the Crowd
Apostle Peter preaches a sermon directly to the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, denouncing their role in Jesus' crucifixion and urging them to repent.
This prophecy speaks of a future outpouring of a spirit of grace and supplication, where people will look on Him whom they have pierced and mourn as one mourns for an only son, directly foreshadowing the profound grief and repentance seen in Acts 2:37.
Acts 9:6This passage parallels the reaction of Saul of Tarsus after his encounter with the risen Christ, where he also asks in brokenness, 'Lord, what shall I do?', demonstrating a similar immediate and earnest response to divine revelation.
Luke 24:47Jesus Himself, after His resurrection, commissioned His disciples to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins in His name to all nations, providing the theological basis for Peter's sermon and the crowd's desperate question in Acts 2:37.
John 16:8Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. This verse explains the powerful inward conviction that 'pricked' the hearts of the crowd, making them aware of their sin in crucifying Him.
Acts 16:30The Philippian jailer, in a moment of profound crisis and conviction, asks Paul and Silas, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?', echoing the same desperate need for direction and salvation that the crowd at Pentecost expressed.
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 powerful reaction of the crowd wasn't just sadness; it was a sharp, piercing conviction, like being stung. They didn't just realize they’d made a mistake; they felt the deep wound of their actions, prompting their urgent question: "What must we do to mend this?"
Peter has just preached a powerful sermon on Pentecost, explaining that the Holy Spirit's outpouring is the fulfillment of God's promises and directly connects it to Jesus, whom his listeners had crucified. This explanation wasn't just historical; it was a direct accusation, leaving the crowd stunned and convicted of their role in Jesus' death. Now, they are overwhelmed with remorse and urgency, turning to the apostles with a desperate plea for guidance.
Peter has just preached a powerful sermon on Pentecost, explaining that the Holy Spirit's outpouring is the fulfillment of God's promises and directly connects it to Jesus, whom his listeners had crucified. This explanation wasn't just historical; it was a direct accusation, leaving the crowd stunned and convicted of their role in Jesus' death. Now, they are overwhelmed with remorse and urgency, turning to the apostles with a desperate plea for guidance.
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pneuma hagion · Greek Noun phrase
The third person of the Trinity, given to believers as a mark of ownership, an agent of sanctification, and a deposit guaranteeing their inheritance in God's kingdom.
c. 30 AD
Thousands Repent and are Baptized
Following Peter's sermon, about three thousand people are 'cut to the heart' and ask what they should do, leading them to repent and be baptized.
c. 33 AD
Stephen's Martyrdom
Stephen, a disciple empowered by the Holy Spirit, is stoned to death for his preaching. This event marks the beginning of a wider persecution of Christians.
c. 34 AD
Saul's Persecution and Conversion
Saul, a Pharisee, actively persecutes the early church, but on the road to Damascus, he has an encounter with the resurrected Jesus and becomes a fervent follower.
"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?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgive…" — The powerful reaction of the crowd wasn't just sadness; it was a sharp, piercing conviction, like being stung. They didn't just realize they’d made a mistake; they felt the deep wound of their action…
