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? NOW WHEN THEY HEARD THIS, THEY WERE PRICKED IN THEIR HEART. The word here used [ katenugeesan (G2660)] - not classical, but several times occurring in the Septuagint-signifies to be 'distressed' (as Genesis 34:7) and to 'have compunctious visitings' (as 1 Kings 21:28). This, beyond doubt, was the begun fulfillment of one of the brightest Messianic predictions (Zechariah 12:10), whose full accomplishment is reserved for the day when "all Israel sh...

37._They were pricked in heart. _Luke doth now declare the fruit of the sermon, to the end we may know that the power of the Holy Ghost was not only showed forth in the diversity of tongues, but also in their hearts which heard. And he noteth a double fruit; first, that they were touched with the feeling of sorrow; and, secondly, that they were obedient to Peter’s counsel. This is the beginning of repentance, this is the entrance unto godliness, to be sorry for our sins, and to be wounded with the feeling of our miseries. For so long as men are careless, they cannot take such heed unto doctrine as they ought. And for this cause the word of God is compared to a sword, (Hebrews 4:12,) because it doth mortify our flesh, that we may be offered to God for a sacrifice. But there must be added unto this pricking in heart readiness to obey. Cain and Judas were pricked in heart, but despair d

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 their sins, and openly to avow their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, by being baptized in his name. Thus professing their faith in Him, they would receive remission of their sins, and partake of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit. To separate from wicked people, is the only way to save ourselves from them. Those who repent of their sins, and give up themselves to Jesus Christ, must prove their sincerity by breaking off from the wicked. We m...

Verse 37. _WHEN 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?...

NOW 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,” κατενύγησαν katenugēsan, is not used elsewhere in the New Testament. It properly denotes “to pierce or penetrate with a needle, lancet, or sharp instrument”; and then “to pierce with grief, or acute pain of any kind.” It corresponds precisely to our word “compunction.” It implies also the idea of sudden as well as acute grief. In this case it means that they were suddenly and deeply affected with anguish and alarm at what Peter had said. The causes of their grief may have been these:...

EXPOSITION ACTS 2:1 _Was now come _for _was fully come, _A.V.; _all together _for _with one accord, _A.V. and T.R. WHEN THE DAY OF PENTECOST WAS NOW COME; literally, _when the day of Pentecost_—_i.e._, of the fiftieth day—was in _the course of being completed. _The fiftieth day (reckoned from the end of the 16th of Nisan, on which Jesus was crucified) was actually come, but was not ended (comp. Luke 9:11). ALL TOGETHER; ὁμοῦ for ὁμοθυμαδόν_: _but ὁμοθυμαδόν—a favorite word in the Acts (Acts 4:24, note)—seems preferable to ὁμοῦ, which occurs only in St. John. IN ONE PLACE (see...

NOW WHEN THEY HEARD THIS,.... Or "him", as the Arabic version; that is, Peter speaking these things, describing the character of Jesus of Nazareth; opening the prophecies concerning him; asserting his resurrection from the dead, and exaltation at the right hand of God; ascribing this wonderful affair, of speaking with divers tongues, to his effusion of the Spirit; and charging them home with the iniquity of crucifying him: THEY WERE PRICKED IN THEIR HEARTS; the word of God entered into them, and was as a sharp sword in them, which cut and laid open their hearts, and the sin and wickedness of them; they saw themselves guilty of the crime laid to their charge, and were filled with remorse of conscience for it; they felt pain at their hearts, and much uneasiness, and were seized with horror and trembling; they were wounded in their spirits, being hewn and cut down by the prophets and apost...

We cannot too often read the story of that wondrous outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost; and let us never read it without asking the Lord to manifest in our midst the fullness of the Spirit's power. We may not have a repetition of the miraculous gifts which were then bestowed upon the apostles and those who were with them; but we may have that gracious influence which shall convince and convert those who gather to hear the Word. Our success in preaching the Word is entirely dependent upon the presence and working of the Holy Spirit; therefore, let our prayer be,Вѕ «Lord God, the Holy Ghost, In this accepted hour, As on the day of Pentecost, Descend in all thy power. «The young, the old inspire With wisdom from above; And give us hearts and tongues of fire, To pray, and praise, and love.» A

ACTS 2:37 The replacement of avkou,santej de, with to,te pa,ntej oi` sunelqo,ntej kai. avkou,santej in D syrhmg and the insertion in D of tinej evx auvtw/n before ei=pon (because the entire crowd could not speak to Peter and the apostles) and of u`podei,xate h`mi/n (“Show us”) after avdelfoi, in D E Old Latin syrhmg copG67 are typical Western expansions. 81 ------------------------- 81 For an interesting attempt to show that Luke himself was responsible for the colloquial u`podei,xate h`mi/n, see C. A. Phi...

CHAPTER 2 _ 1. The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1)._ 2. The Immediate Effect of His Presence (Acts 2:5). 3. Peter's Address (Acts 2:14). 4. The Result of the Witness (Acts 2:37). 5. The Gathered Company in Fellowship (Acts 2:42). This is an important chapter. The Promise of the Father was fulfilled, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity came down to earth, to be the other Comforter. He came on that blessed day. Two things are at once apparent. He came upon the assembled believers individually, and also did a work i