Acts 5:33
When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Acts 5:33
When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Instead of remorse, the Greek word used here depicts a violent, saw-like agitation of anger, a tearing rage that made them want to eliminate the apostles. This wasn't a prick of conscience, but a furious backlash against the truth that exposed their own guilt.
After Peter boldly declared that the Jewish leaders had killed Jesus and then denied Him, the council was utterly enraged. Their fury was so intense, feeling like they were being ripped apart, that they immediately plotted to kill the apostles. This intense reaction, however, was interrupted by the wise counsel of Gamaliel, who urged them to let the apostles go.
The apostles' powerful defense didn't lead the council to repentance. Instead, it ignited a furious rage. What’s the difference between feeling guilty and feeling enraged by the truth?
The word used here, "cut to the heart," is incredibly strong. It originally meant to be sawn through, a vivid image of intense pain and agitation. But unlike the spiritual “pricking” of the heart that leads to repentance (like in Acts 2:37), this kind of cutting was different. It wasn't the pain of realizing one's sin and needing forgiveness. It was the sharp, agonizing pain of having their pride wounded, their actions exposed, and their authority challenged.
Their rage wasn't about conviction; it was about self-preservation and fury that the apostles dared to speak such truth. They weren't feeling the sting of guilt that seeks reconciliation with God, but the violent, raw emotion of indignation that lashes out.
When truth hits hard, our first impulse isn't always wise. See how anger quickly turns to plotting, bypassing reason for destruction.
The council's response wasn't just emotional; it quickly moved to action. "They took counsel to slay them." This wasn't a calm, reasoned debate about the apostles' message. It was the immediate plotting of a violent end for men who had just demonstrated incredible boldness and divine authority.
Their counsel was driven by a desire to silence the truth and eliminate the threat they perceived. It shows how quickly intense anger can bypass proper judgment and move towards destructive solutions. Thankfully, in this instance, a wiser voice (Gamaliel’s) intervened, but the desire to kill was real and immediate.
The Sanhedrin's furious reaction to the apostles' bold proclamation of Jesus' resurrection highlights the intense political and religious pressures of the time. Their immediate impulse to kill stemmed from a desire to silence a message that threatened their authority and the stability of their relationship with Rome.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth, a preacher and healer, is crucified in Jerusalem under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. This event is deeply divisive and becomes a central point of contention for Jewish authorities.
c. AD 30 - 33
Early Pentecost and Apostolic Preaching
Following Jesus' ascension, his followers experience the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and begin boldly preaching his resurrection in Jerusalem. This draws crowds but also attracts the attention of religious leaders.
c. AD 33
Apostles Imprisoned and Released
Peter and the apostles are arrested by the Sanhedrin for defying orders to stop preaching. They are miraculously released from prison, only to continue their ministry, intensifying the conflict.
c. AD 33— this verse
Sanhedrin Confrontation and Threat
The apostles are rearrested and brought before the Sanhedrin. Peter boldly declares obedience to God over human authority, leading the council to consider executing them.
Jesus directly tells his followers that the world will hate them, just as it hated him, showing this isn't a new reaction to faithful witness.
Acts 7:54Stephen's powerful sermon also provoked a similar, murderous rage in his listeners, demonstrating a pattern of violent opposition to God's messengers.
Matthew 10:17Jesus warned his disciples to expect persecution and to be handed over to councils, highlighting that opposition from religious leaders is a foregone conclusion for those proclaiming His name.
Romans 8:7This passage explains the fundamental reason for this opposition: the mind controlled by the flesh is hostile to God and cannot please Him, revealing the spiritual nature of the conflict.
vincentActs 5:33: "When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them."
They were cut to the heart (διεπρίοντο)Only here and Acts 7:54. The verb means, originally, to saw asunder. A strong figure for exasperation.To slaySee on Luke 23:32.
meyerActs 5:33: "When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them."
Acts 5:33 . Διεπρίοντο ] not: they gnashed with the teeth , which would be διέπριον τοὺς ὀδόντας (Lucian. Calumn . 24), but dissecabantur (Vulgate), comp. Acts 7:54 : they were sawn through , cut through as by a saw (Plat. Conv. p. 193 A; Aristoph. Eq. 768; 1 Chronicles 20:3 ; see Suicer, Thes. I. p. 880; Valckenaer, p. 402 f.),—a figurative expression (comp. Acts 2:37 ) of deeply penetrating painful i…
Instead of remorse, the Greek word used here depicts a violent, saw-like agitation of anger, a tearing rage that made them want to eliminate the apostles. This wasn't a prick of conscience, but a furious backlash against the truth that exposed their own guilt.
After Peter boldly declared that the Jewish leaders had killed Jesus and then denied Him, the council was utterly enraged. Their fury was so intense, feeling like they were being ripped apart, that they immediately plotted to kill the apostles. This intense reaction, however, was interrupted by the wise counsel of Gamaliel, who urged them to let the apostles go.
After Peter boldly declared that the Jewish leaders had killed Jesus and then denied Him, the council was utterly enraged. Their fury was so intense, feeling like they were being ripped apart, that they immediately plotted to kill the apostles. This intense reaction, however, was interrupted by the wise counsel of Gamaliel, who urged them to let the apostles go.
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c. AD 33
Gamaliel's Counsel and Release
The respected rabbi Gamaliel intervenes, advising the Sanhedrin to release the apostles and let their movement either fail or succeed on its own. The apostles are flogged and released, but not silenced.
"When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them." — Instead of remorse, the Greek word used here depicts a violent, saw-like agitation of anger, a tearing rage that made them want to eliminate the apostles. This wasn't a prick of conscience, but a f…