cut
Cf. Acts 2:37 .
The Gospel when preached in the power of the Spirit convicts or enrages.
Verse Meaning
Peter"s firm but gracious words so infuriated the Sadducees that they were about to order the death of the apostles regardless of public reaction. [source][source][source]
"While the Sanhedrin did not have authority under Roman jurisdiction to inflict capital punishment, undoubtedly they would have found some pretext for handing these men over to the Romans for such action-as they did with Jesus himself-had it not been for the intervention of the Pharisees, as represented particularly by Gamaliel." [1][source]
Context Summary
Acts 5:27-42 - Folly Of Fighting Against God
The high priest and his party could not forget the imprecation of Matthew 27:25. It haunted them. Compare Peter's description of the Cross as the tree with Deuteronomy 21:23 and Galatians 3:13; also his own usage of the phrase in 1 Peter 2:24. Notice in Acts 5:31 the divine order-Jesus must be Prince, if He is to be Savior. It is because that order is not observed, and men therefore seek to derive His benefits before they concede His rights, that He is unable to deliver them. Christ must be the enthroned Lord and Master of your life, if you want to be saved to the uttermost. See Romans 10:9, r.v. Repentance is His gift equally as forgiveness. Mark that reference to the witness of the Holy Spirit, Acts 5:32. Let us never stand in pulpit or class without being first assured that the truth we utter is such that He can endorse.
Gamaliel had been Paul's teacher. He was very astute and non-committal. He said, "Let us wait and see; the truth will conquer." He expected that the new enthusiasm would die down if it were let alone. He knew that a draught of wind fans a fire. But he lived to see his mistake. We must be warned by Acts 5:42 not only to preach Christ as king in the Temple, but also at home. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 5
1After that Ananias and Sapphira his wife, 3at Peter's rebuke had fallen down dead; 12and that the rest of the apostles had wrought many miracles; 14to the increase of the faith; 17the apostles are again imprisoned; 19but delivered by an angel bidding them preach openly to all; 21when, after their teaching accordingly in the temple, 29and before the council, 33they are in danger to be killed; 34but through the advice of Gamaliel, they are kept alive, and are only beaten; 41for which they glorify God, and cease no day from preaching
Greek Commentary for Acts 5:33
Were cut to the heart [διεπριοντο] Imperfect passive of διαπριω diapriō old verb Here it is rage that cuts into their hearts, not conviction of sin as in Acts 2:37. Only here and Acts 7:54 (after Stephen‘s speech) in the N.T. (cf. Simeon‘s prophecy in Luke 2:35). [source]
Were minded [βουλομαι] Imperfect middle of ανελειν boulomai They were plotting and planning to kill (anelein as in Acts 2:23; Luke 23:33 which see) then and there. The point in Acts 4:7 was whether the apostles deserved stoning for curing the cripple by demoniacal power, but here it was disobedience to the command of the Sanhedrin which was not a capital offence. “They were on the point of committing a grave judicial blunder” (Furneaux). [source]
They were cut to the heart [διεπρίοντο] Only here and Acts 7:54. The verb means, originally, to saw asunder. A strong figure for exasperation. [source]
Acts 5:36To be somebody [ειναι τινα] Indirect assertion with the infinitive and the accusative of general reference Correct text and not προσεκολλητη prosekollēthē (Textus Receptus). First aorist passive indicative of προσκλινω prosklinō old verb to lean towards, to incline towards. Here only in the N.T. Was slain First aorist passive of αναιρεω anaireō (cf. Acts 5:33). Obeyed (επειτοντο epeithonto). Imperfect middle, kept on obeying. Were dispersed First aorist passive indicative (effective aorist) of διαλυω dialuō old verb to dissolve, to go to pieces. Here only in the N.T. [source]
Acts 5:36Was slain [ανηιρετη] First aorist passive of αναιρεω anaireō (cf. Acts 5:33). Obeyed (επειτοντο epeithonto). Imperfect middle, kept on obeying. Were dispersed First aorist passive indicative (effective aorist) of διαλυω dialuō old verb to dissolve, to go to pieces. Here only in the N.T. [source]
Acts 7:54They were cut to the heart [διεπριοντο ταις καρδιαις] See note on Acts 5:33 where the same word and form (imperfect passive of διαπριω diapriō) is used of the effect of Peter‘s speech on the Sadducees. Here Stephen had sent a saw through the hearts of the Pharisees that rasped them to the bone. They gnashed on him with their teeth (εβρυχον τους οδοντας επ αυτον ebruchon tous odontas ep' auton). Imperfect (inchoative) active of βρυχω bruchō (Attic βρυκω brukō), to bite with loud noise, to grind or gnash the teeth. Literally, They began to gnash their teeth at (επ ep') him (just like a pack of hungry, snarling wolves). Stephen knew that it meant death for him. [source]
Greek Commentary for Acts 5:33
Imperfect passive of διαπριω diapriō old verb Here it is rage that cuts into their hearts, not conviction of sin as in Acts 2:37. Only here and Acts 7:54 (after Stephen‘s speech) in the N.T. (cf. Simeon‘s prophecy in Luke 2:35). [source]
Imperfect middle of ανελειν boulomai They were plotting and planning to kill (anelein as in Acts 2:23; Luke 23:33 which see) then and there. The point in Acts 4:7 was whether the apostles deserved stoning for curing the cripple by demoniacal power, but here it was disobedience to the command of the Sanhedrin which was not a capital offence. “They were on the point of committing a grave judicial blunder” (Furneaux). [source]
Only here and Acts 7:54. The verb means, originally, to saw asunder. A strong figure for exasperation. [source]
See on Luke 23:32. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 5:33
See on Acts 5:33. In both instances, of anger. A different word is used to express remorse, Acts 2:37. [source]
The verb is a favourite one with Luke (Acts 2:33; Acts 5:33, Acts 5:36; Acts 7:28; Acts 9:23-29; Acts 10:39, etc.). Instrumental case and Ionic form of μαχαιρα machaira The Jews considered beheading a shameful death as in the case of the Baptist (Matthew 14:10). [source]
Indirect assertion with the infinitive and the accusative of general reference Correct text and not προσεκολλητη prosekollēthē (Textus Receptus). First aorist passive indicative of προσκλινω prosklinō old verb to lean towards, to incline towards. Here only in the N.T. Was slain First aorist passive of αναιρεω anaireō (cf. Acts 5:33). Obeyed (επειτοντο epeithonto). Imperfect middle, kept on obeying. Were dispersed First aorist passive indicative (effective aorist) of διαλυω dialuō old verb to dissolve, to go to pieces. Here only in the N.T. [source]
First aorist passive of αναιρεω anaireō (cf. Acts 5:33). Obeyed (επειτοντο epeithonto). Imperfect middle, kept on obeying. Were dispersed First aorist passive indicative (effective aorist) of διαλυω dialuō old verb to dissolve, to go to pieces. Here only in the N.T. [source]
See note on Acts 5:33 where the same word and form (imperfect passive of διαπριω diapriō) is used of the effect of Peter‘s speech on the Sadducees. Here Stephen had sent a saw through the hearts of the Pharisees that rasped them to the bone. They gnashed on him with their teeth (εβρυχον τους οδοντας επ αυτον ebruchon tous odontas ep' auton). Imperfect (inchoative) active of βρυχω bruchō (Attic βρυκω brukō), to bite with loud noise, to grind or gnash the teeth. Literally, They began to gnash their teeth at (επ ep') him (just like a pack of hungry, snarling wolves). Stephen knew that it meant death for him. [source]
Better, slay, as Matthew 2:16; Luke 22:2; Acts 5:33. [source]