When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

ACTS 5:33KJV
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Acts 5:33 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:33 mean?

Acts 5:33 describes how the religious leaders, upon hearing the apostles’ words, were deeply angered and began plotting to kill them. The verse shows the intensity of the leaders’ reaction to the apostles’ bold message about Jesus.

The setting is a meeting of the Jewish council (Sanhedrin) in Jerusalem, where Peter and the other apostles have been brought in for preaching about Jesus despite strict orders not to. The council’s response is not just annoyance but a violent resolve, showing how threatening they found the apostles’ teaching.

The Greek behind Acts 5:33

  • The word “cut” is from διαπρίω (diapriō), which means to be deeply agitated or infuriated—literally “sawn through.” This suggests the leaders were not just upset but felt a sharp, painful reaction to what they heard.
  • The word “counsel” comes from βουλεύω (bouleuō), meaning to deliberate or plot together. This highlights that the leaders’ decision to kill the apostles was not a rash outburst but a considered plan.
  • The word “slay” is from ἀναιρέω (anaireō), which means to do away with or kill. This makes clear that the council’s intent was deadly serious.

Why Acts 5:33 matters

  • Acts 5:33 shows just how dangerous the apostles’ message was considered by the authorities, helping readers understand the real risk the early Christians faced.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by setting up the intervention of Gamaliel, who will urge caution in the verses that follow.
  • The strong language used here clarifies that the opposition to the apostles was not just about disagreement but about a willingness to use violence to stop them.

Where else these words appear

“cut” Greek G1282 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

“counsel” Greek G1011 · used in 6 verses

  • Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
  • John 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
  • Acts 27:39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

“slay” Greek G337 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Acts 9:23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
  • Acts 22:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.