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 х 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 shall be saved" (see the notes at Romans 11:1-36, particularly Romans 11:26).
And said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles - the convinced now probably crowding about the apostles, and each asking of the one nearest to him,
Men and brethren, what shall we do? This is that beautiful spirit of genuine compunction which begets tender and eager docility, and which, on discovering the whole past life to have been one frightful and fatal mistake, seeks only to be set right for the future, no matter what this may involve of change and of sacrifice. Of this the most illustrious case on record is that of Saul of Tarsus (see the note at Acts 9:6).