Amplified Bible
Acts 2:37
37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [with remorse and anxiety], and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?”
Acts 2:37 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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?
- New International Version (NIV)When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
- English Standard Version (ESV)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?"
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Context of Acts 2:37
35Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’ 36Therefore let all the house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (Messiah, Anointed)—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [with remorse and anxiety], and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” 38And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.”
Read all of Acts 2Acts 2:37 word by word
Ἀκούσαντες δὲ κατενύγησαν τὴν καρδίαν, εἶπόν τε πρὸς τὸν Πέτρον καὶ τοὺς λοιποὺς ἀποστόλους· τί ποιήσωμεν, ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί;Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Now whenδέde · thenG1161
- they heardἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
- they were prickedκατανύσσωkatanussō · to pierceG2660
- in their heartκαρδίαkardia · heartG2588
- andτεte · and/bothG5037
- saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- PeterΠέτροςPetros · PeterG4074
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- to the restλοιπόςloipoi · remainingG3062
- of the apostlesἀπόστολοςapostolos · apostleG652
- Menἀνήρanēr · manG435
- brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
- whatτίςtis · which?G5101
- shall we doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
Cross-references for Acts 2:37
- Acts 5:33Now when they heard this, they were infuriated and they intended to kill the apostles.
- Acts 7:54Now when they heard this [accusation and understood its implication], they were cut to the heart, and they began grinding their teeth [in rage] at him.
- Ezekiel 7:16Even when their survivors escape, they will be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them moaning, each over his [punishment for] sin.
- Zechariah 12:10“I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace (unmerited favor) and supplication. And they will look at Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him as one who weeps bitterly over a firstborn.
- Luke 3:10The crowds asked him, “Then what are we to do?”
- John 8:9They listened [to His reply], and they began to go out one by one, starting with the oldest ones, until He was left alone, with the woman [standing there before Him] in the center of the court.
- John 16:8And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment:
- Romans 7:9I was once alive without [knowledge of] the Law; but when the commandment came [and I understood its meaning], sin became alive and I died [since the Law sentenced me to death].
- 1 Corinthians 14:24But if all prophesy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted [of his sins] by all, and he is called to account by all [because he can understand what is being said];
- Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Acts 1:16“Brothers and sisters, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the lips of David [king of Israel] about Judas [Iscariot], who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.
- Acts 9:5And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
- Acts 16:29Then the jailer called for torches and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas,
- Acts 22:10And I asked, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord answered me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that is appointed and destined for you to do.’
- Acts 24:25But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control [honorable behavior, personal integrity], and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I find [a convenient] time I will send for you.”
Commentaries on Acts 2:37
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 37When they heard this, they were pricked in their heart - This powerful, intelligent, consecutive, and interesting discourse, supported every where by prophecies and corresponding facts, left them without reply and without excuse; and they plainly saw there was no hope for them, but in the mercy of him whom they had rejected and crucified. What shall we do? - How shall we escape those judgments which we now see hanging over our heads?Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 37Now when they heard this - When they heard this declaration of Peter, and this proof that Jesus was the Messiah. There was no fanaticism in his discourse; it was cool, close, pungent reasoning. He proved to them the truth of what he was saying, and thus prepared the way for this effect. They were pricked in their heart - The word translated were “pricked,” ́ katenugēsanis not used elsewhere in the New Testament. It properly denotes “to pierce or…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 37-41Verses 37-41 From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither Peter's words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin, cannot but feel an inward uneasiness. The apostle exhorted them to repent of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 37-38Brothers, what shall we do?: Peter urged his listeners to repent of their sins, trust in God, and be baptized. See the “Baptism” Theme Note.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 37-4037-40. pricked in their hearts--the begun fulfilment of Zec 12:10, whose full accomplishment is reserved for the day when "all Israel shall be saved" (see on Ro 11:26). what shall we do?--This is that beautiful spirit of genuine compunction and childlike docility, which, discovering its whole past career to have been one frightful mistake, seeks only to be set right for the future, be the change involved and the sacrifices required what they may. So Saul…Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 2:37
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Acts 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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