Acts 7:54

Intermediate

Acts 7:54 · World English Bible (WEB)

“Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.”

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Overview Confusing Elements Original Language Related Passages

Overview

Theme

The hardening rage of Stephen’s hearers against the Spirit-filled witness of Christ.

Core Message

Stephen’s sermon exposed the council’s resistance to God, and instead of repentance, they erupted in furious hostility. This verse marks the inward conviction and outward rage that leads directly to Stephen’s martyrdom.

◆Intermediate

Difficulty Level

What Makes This Verse Confusing?

Explanation

This phrase does not describe humble conviction leading to repentance, as in Acts 2:37. Here it describes being inwardly pierced with rage. Stephen’s words reached the deepest place, but the hearers responded by hardening themselves rather than yielding to God.

Why Confusing

The English phrase “cut to the heart” can sound identical to the repentant response in Acts 2:37, but Acts uses different Greek wording and the surrounding reaction here is violent anger, not repentance.

Why It Matters

This shows that the Word of God can pierce the heart in more than one way: it may lead to repentance, or it may expose rebellion when the heart refuses to bow.

Original Language

Strong’s G1282διαπρίωdiapriō(greek)

As it appearsδιεπρίοντοMeaning

be furious — δια-πρίω [in LXX: 1Ch.20:3 (סוּר) * ;] to saw asunder . Pass., metaphorically (vernacular?), EV, cut to the heart : Act.5:33; before τ. καρδίαις αὐτῶν, Act.7:54. † (AS)

Why it matters

The word behind “cut” is stronger than sadness or remorse; it carries the sense of being “sawn through” or deeply enraged. This helps distinguish their reaction from true repentance: they were pierced, but not softened.

Strong’s G1031βρύχωbruchō(greek)

As it appearsἔβρυχονMeaning

to gnash — βρύχω (Attic, βρύκω), [in LXX: Job.16:10 (9), Psa.34 (35):16 36 (37):12 111 (112):10, La 2:16 (חרק)* ;] __1. to bite or eat greedily . __2. to gnash, grind , with the teeth : Act.7:54. † (AS)

Why it matters

The word for “gnash” emphasizes a harsh grinding or clenching of the teeth. Luke presents their fury as physically visible, showing that the sermon has brought their hostility to a breaking point.

Lexicon & word tagging: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0)