Acts 2:37

Acts 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?

a. NLT: Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

b. 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?”

c. YLT: And having heard, they were pricked to the heart; they say also to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, 'What shall we do, men, brethren?'

d. Amplified Bible: Now when they heard this they were stung (cut) to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles (special messengers), Brethren, what shall we do?

e. Worrell Translation: And, hearing this, they were pricked in the heart, and said to Peter, and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren! What shall we do?”

1. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart…”

a. now [161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. when they heard this [191 * akouo] [Strong: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.]

c. they were pricked [2660 * katanusso] [Strong: from 2596 and 3572; to pierce thoroughly, i.e. (figuratively) to agitate violently ("sting to the quick"):--prick.] [Thayer: to prick, pierce, metaph. to pain the mind sharply, agitate it vehemently, especially of the emotion of sorrow.]

1). This is referring to the conviction of the Holy Ghost that would come upon the hearts of all men, including these men.

a). John 16:7-11 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

b). These men were being convicted or reproved because of their sin. We see the same effect upon the Philippian jailor when he and all his house got saved.

a). Acts 16:27-31 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

d. heart [2588 * kardia] [Strong: prolonged from a primary kar (Latin cor, "heart"); the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle:--(+ broken-)heart(-ed).

1). The “heart” referred to here is of course not the blood pumping organ but the spirit of man, for man is a three part being with the heart or spirit being the real man. In the first Scripture below we see Paul using the terms heart and spirit interchangeably. In the second verse cited Paul gives the components of the whole man.

a). Romans 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

b). 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. “…and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles…”

a. and [5037 * te] [Strong: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of 2532):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.]

b. said [2036 * epo] [Strong: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from 2046, 4483, and 5346); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell.]

c. unto [4314 * pros] [Strong: a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]

d. Peter [4074 * Petros] [Strong: apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than 3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock.]

e. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. to the rest [3062 * loipoy] [Strong: masculine plural of a derivative of 3007; remaining ones:--other, which remain, remnant, residue, rest.]

g. of the apostles [652 * apostolos] [Strong: from 649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):--apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

3. “…Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

a. men [435 * aner] [Strong: a primary word (compare 444); a man (properly as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.]

b. brethren [80 * adephos] [Strong: from 1 (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like 1):--brother.]

c. what [5101 * tis] [Strong: probably emphatic of 5100; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.]

d. shall we do [4160 * poieo] [Strong: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield.]

1). When man is brought to this point and sincerely asks this question, the Lord will provide the answer and the answer in Christ Jesus.