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?

Cross-references

Acts 2:41 Historical context

In Acts 2:41, the crowd's question is answered — they receive the word and are baptized, showing the immediate result.

Acts 22:10 Parallel

In Acts 22:10, Paul asks "What shall I do, Lord?" — the same pattern of a convicted person seeking guidance after divine encounter.

In Acts 16:29-31, the jailer's cry "what must I do to be saved?" mirrors the crowd's question here — both respond to conviction with a plea for direction.

Acts 9:6 Parallel

Acts 9:6 has Paul's cry 'What wilt thou have me to do?' — a direct parallel to the crowd's question 'What shall we do?' in Acts 2:37.

Acts 7:54 Parallel

Acts 7:54 also uses 'cut to the heart' for Stephen's hearers, showing a similar reaction of violent rejection instead of repentance.

Acts 5:33 Contrast

Acts 5:33 repeats the 'cut to the heart' phrase but leads to murderous intent, contrasting with the repentant response in Acts 2:37.

Acts 16:30 Parallel

In Acts 16:30, the jailer asks 'what must I do to be saved?' — an almost identical cry of conviction after a divine sign.

Acts 24:25 Parallel

In Acts 24:25, Felix trembles at Paul's preaching but postpones decision — similar emotional conviction but a different response.

John 16:8-11 describes the Spirit's convicting work — which produces the very conviction seen in Acts 2:37.

Hebrews 4:12 says God's word pierces the heart — exactly what happened in Acts 2:37 when Peter's sermon cut listeners to the heart.

1 Corinthians 14:24 describes an unbeliever being convicted by prophecy — the same effect of being 'pricked' as in Acts 2:37.

John 8:9 Parallel

In John 8:9, the accusers are convicted by their own conscience, mirroring the heart-pricking response in Acts 2:37.

Luke 3:10 Parallel

Luke 3:10 records the same question 'what shall we do?' from John's hearers, paralleling the crowd's response to Peter's sermon.

Zechariah 12:10 Prophetic fulfillment

Zechariah 12:10 prophesies mourning for the pierced one, fulfilled as the crowd in Acts 2:37 is pierced with conviction for crucifying Jesus.

Luke 23:48 Parallel

In Luke 23:48, the crowd smites their breasts after the crucifixion — echoing the same physical response of conviction.

Luke 18:18 Contrast

In Luke 18:18, the rich ruler asks 'what shall I do' to earn eternal life — contrasting with the crowd's humble repentance.

Luke 18:13 Parallel

In Luke 18:13, the tax collector beats his breast and cries for mercy — a direct parallel to the crowd's convicted hearts.

In 2 Samuel 12:13, David confesses "I have sinned against the Lord" after Nathan's rebuke — a parallel of immediate conviction and confession.

Jeremiah 23:29 compares God's word to a hammer breaking rock; the word here breaks the crowd's hard hearts, producing contrition.

In Genesis 44:16, Judah asks "What shall we speak?" after being found guilty — a parallel plea of guilt and helplessness.

Mark 10:17 Parallel

Mark 10:17's rich young ruler asks Jesus 'what shall I do?'; here the crowd asks the same urgent question after being pricked.