New International Version
Acts 2:37
37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we 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?
- 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?”
- New Living Translation (NLT)Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
Context of Acts 2:37
35until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ 36“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38Peter replied, “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. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
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 5:33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
- Acts 7:54When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.
- Ezekiel 7:16The fugitives who escape will flee to the mountains. Like doves of the valleys, they will all moan, each for their own sins.
- Zechariah 12:10“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
- Luke 3:10“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
- John 8:9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
- John 16:8When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
- Romans 7:9Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.
- 1 Corinthians 14:24But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,
- Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
- Acts 1:16and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.
- Acts 9:5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
- Acts 16:29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
- Acts 22:10“ ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’
- Acts 24:25As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, 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
New International Version — © NIV® 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica
Commentaries