Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 5:33

"But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and minded to slay them." — Acts 5:33 (ASV)

They were cut to the heart.—The strict meaning of the verb describes the action of a saw, as in Hebrews 11:37. Used figuratively, it seems to imply a more lacerating pain than the pricked to the heart of Acts 2:37, leading not to repentance but to hatred. The persons spoken of are principally the high priest and his Sadducean followers (Acts 5:17).