Acts 2:37 - 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?”
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What does "Acts 2:37" mean?
This verse, Acts 2:37, is a pivotal moment in the early church. Let's break down what it means:
"Now when they heard this...": This refers back to Peter's sermon, delivered on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36). In that sermon, Peter powerfully proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah, whom the Jewish people had crucified, but whom God had raised from the dead. He used scripture and direct appeals to their conscience to convince them of this truth.
"...they were cut to the heart...": This is the key phrase. It signifies deep conviction and profound emotional distress. They weren't just mildly interested or curious; they were deeply affected by Peter's message. The Greek word used here implies a feeling of being pierced, or wounded deeply. They recognized the truth of Peter's words and the enormity of what they, as a nation, had done in rejecting and crucifying Jesus. They felt a strong sense of guilt, sorrow, and perhaps even fear of judgment.
"...and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”": This is their response to this conviction. They realized their need for guidance and direction. They were desperate to know how they could remedy their situation. They acknowledge Peter and the Apostles as authoritative figures "Brothers, what shall we do?", signifying their desire to repent and find a path to reconciliation with God. They're essentially asking, "What must we do to be saved? How can we find forgiveness and acceptance?"
In essence, Acts 2:37 describes a moment of profound conviction and repentance. Peter's sermon had broken through their previous understanding, leading to a deep awareness of their guilt and a desperate plea for guidance on how to respond. It's a powerful example of the work of the Holy Spirit in convicting people of sin and leading them to seek salvation. This verse sets the stage for Peter's response in Acts 2:38, where he calls them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.
Acts 2:37 - 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?”
What does "Acts 2:37" mean?
This verse, Acts 2:37, is a pivotal moment in the early church. Let's break down what it means:
"Now when they heard this...": This refers back to Peter's sermon, delivered on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36). In that sermon, Peter powerfully proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah, whom the Jewish people had crucified, but whom God had raised from the dead. He used scripture and direct appeals to their conscience to convince them of this truth.
"...they were cut to the heart...": This is the key phrase. It signifies deep conviction and profound emotional distress. They weren't just mildly interested or curious; they were deeply affected by Peter's message. The Greek word used here implies a feeling of being pierced, or wounded deeply. They recognized the truth of Peter's words and the enormity of what they, as a nation, had done in rejecting and crucifying Jesus. They felt a strong sense of guilt, sorrow, and perhaps even fear of judgment.
"...and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”": This is their response to this conviction. They realized their need for guidance and direction. They were desperate to know how they could remedy their situation. They acknowledge Peter and the Apostles as authoritative figures "Brothers, what shall we do?", signifying their desire to repent and find a path to reconciliation with God. They're essentially asking, "What must we do to be saved? How can we find forgiveness and acceptance?"
In essence, Acts 2:37 describes a moment of profound conviction and repentance. Peter's sermon had broken through their previous understanding, leading to a deep awareness of their guilt and a desperate plea for guidance on how to respond. It's a powerful example of the work of the Holy Spirit in convicting people of sin and leading them to seek salvation. This verse sets the stage for Peter's response in Acts 2:38, where he calls them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.