Understanding διαπρίω (diapriō) Strong’s G1282: The Greek Word for Being Cut to the Heart that Reveals Intense Emotional Response

Pronunciation Guide: dee-ap-ree’-o (with the stress on the third syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1282: The Greek verb διαπρίω (diapriō) literally means “to saw through” or “to cut with a saw,” but is used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe being “cut to the heart” or experiencing intense emotional agitation, particularly anger or indignation. It portrays a visceral, internal reaction that feels like being sawn in two—a vivid image of being deeply disturbed or provoked to rage. This powerful word appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in the book of Acts.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: Compound of διά (dia, “through”) + πρίω (priō, “to saw”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections (specifically in Acts)
• Voice: Passive/Middle
• Tense: Imperfect

διαπρίω Morphology:

• διαπρίω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I saw through
• διαπρίομαι (present middle/passive indicative, 1st person singular) – I am being cut through (metaphorically)
• διεπρίοντο (imperfect middle/passive indicative, 3rd person plural) – they were being cut to the heart

Origin & History

The verb διαπρίω has its roots in practical woodworking and carpentry, originally referring to the physical action of sawing through something completely. In classical Greek literature, the term was used literally to describe the process of cutting through wood or other materials with a saw. Homer and other ancient Greek authors employed it when describing craftsmen at work.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, διαπρίω does not appear. However, the transition from literal to metaphorical usage can be observed in broader Hellenistic literature, where physical descriptions of cutting or sawing began to be applied to emotional experiences—particularly intense anger or agitation. By the time of the New Testament, this metaphorical usage had become established, explaining why Luke (the presumed author of Acts) could use it to effectively communicate the visceral emotional response of those who opposed the apostles.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• The literal definition: to saw through completely, to cut asunder with a saw
• The metaphorical definition: to be mentally “cut to the quick,” to be internally agitated with rage
• The emotional state: to be filled with indignation to the point of violent reaction
• The physical manifestation: to gnash one’s teeth in anger (as seen in the contextual connection in Acts 7:54)

διαπρίω Translation Options:

• “Cut to the heart” – Captures the internal, emotional nature of the experience while maintaining the metaphor of cutting
• “Deeply infuriated” – Emphasizes the intense anger aspect but loses the cutting imagery
• “Mentally torn apart” – Preserves the sense of internal division while modernizing the expression
• “Seething with rage” – Communicates the emotional intensity while focusing on the resulting anger
• “Viscerally provoked” – Highlights the gut-level reaction while being accessible to modern readers

Biblical Usage

The term διαπρίω appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in the book of Acts, and both instances describe the intense negative reaction of Jewish leaders to the apostles’ preaching. The imperfect tense used in both occurrences suggests an ongoing or developing state of agitation rather than a momentary response.

In Acts 5:33, after the apostles boldly proclaimed that they must obey God rather than human authorities, the text states that the members of the Sanhedrin “were cut to the heart [διεπρίοντο]” and wanted to kill them. Similarly, in Acts 7:54, after Stephen’s powerful speech condemning the religious leaders’ resistance to the Holy Spirit, they “were cut to the heart [διεπρίοντο]” and gnashed their teeth at him in rage. In both cases, the word portrays a profound emotional reaction that led to violent intentions or actions.

• “When they heard this, they were cut to the heart [διεπρίοντο] and wanted to put them to death.” Acts 5:33
• “Now when they heard these things they were enraged [διεπρίοντο], and they ground their teeth at him.” Acts 7:54

Cultural Insights

The metaphorical use of διαπρίω provides fascinating insight into ancient understanding of emotions. In the Greco-Roman world, emotions were often conceptualized as physical experiences within the body. The metaphor of being “sawn through” vividly portrays what we might today call a “visceral reaction”—something felt deeply in one’s core. This connects to the ancient Hebrew concept of emotions residing in different parts of the body, particularly the heart, bowels, or kidneys.

Additionally, the connection between διαπρίω and the phrase “gnashing teeth” in Acts 7:54 reflects an important cultural expression of extreme anger in the ancient Near East. Teeth-gnashing was a recognized physical manifestation of rage and hostility, often associated with one’s enemies in Psalms and prophetic literature. By pairing these expressions, Luke creates a powerful image of both internal emotional turmoil (being cut to the heart) and its external manifestation (gnashing teeth), communicating to his audience the comprehensive nature of the leaders’ opposition to the gospel message.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of διαπρίω in the New Testament are profound. Both occurrences highlight the intense resistance to the gospel message and the work of the Holy Spirit. It demonstrates how the truth of God’s Word, when proclaimed boldly, can provoke extreme reactions—either acceptance or violent rejection. This aligns with Hebrews 4:12, which describes God’s Word as “sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit.”

The response captured by διαπρίω also reveals the spiritual battle occurring in the early church. When truth confronts entrenched religious power, those who have built their identity on that power often respond with anger rather than repentance. In contrast, when Peter preached at Pentecost, those who heard were “cut to the heart” (κατενύγησαν, a different Greek word) in Acts 2:37 and responded with repentance. The difference between these reactions demonstrates how the same message can produce either humble repentance or angry rejection, depending on the heart condition of the hearer. This reveals Yahweh’s sovereignty in salvation and the human responsibility to respond rightly to His truth.

Personal Application

When we encounter truth that challenges our deeply held beliefs or exposes our sin, we face a choice in how we respond. Will we be “cut to the heart” with conviction that leads to repentance, or will we be “cut to the heart” with indignation that leads to rejection? The reaction of the religious leaders serves as a warning about how easily we can become entrenched in our ways and resistant to the Messiah’s transforming work.

This word also reminds us that the message of the gospel is not always received peacefully. As followers of Yeshua (Jesus), we should expect that faithful proclamation of His truth may sometimes provoke strong opposition. Yet like the apostles, we are called to speak the truth in love regardless of the reaction, trusting the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those who hear. The question for us is not whether others will always respond positively, but whether we will remain faithful witnesses even when facing hostility.

Related Words

• κατανύσσω (katanyssō, kat-an-oos’-so) – to prick, pierce or sting; used in Acts 2:37 for the positive conviction of sin leading to repentance, in contrast to the angry reaction described by διαπρίω. See G2660
• ὀργίζομαι (orgizomai, or-gid’-zom-ahee) – to become angry, provoked to anger; a more general term for anger without the specific metaphor of cutting. See G3710
• παροξύνομαι (paroxynomai, par-ox-oo’-nom-ahee) – to be provoked, stimulated, irritated; describes a sharp irritation or provocation similar to the reaction in διαπρίω but with different imagery. See G3947
• βρύχω (brychō, broo’-kho) – to gnash the teeth; often paired with διαπρίω as the outward expression of the inward rage. See G1031
• ἐμβριμάομαι (embrimaomai, em-brim-ah’-om-ahee) – to snort with anger, to be moved with indignation; another term for intense emotional response, but expressing it through different physical imagery. See G1690

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the physical action behind διαπρίω—sawing completely through something—was a common and well-understood process in the ancient world? Wood was a precious commodity in the Near East, and skilled sawyers who could efficiently cut wood without waste were highly valued craftsmen. The metaphorical jump from this precise physical action to describing an emotional state would have been especially vivid to Luke’s original readers who may have observed this painstaking work firsthand.
• Did you know that while διαπρίω appears only twice in the New Testament, both instances mark pivotal moments in the early church’s conflict with religious authorities? These confrontations in Acts 5 and 7 represent critical turning points in the spread of the gospel, with the reaction described by διαπρίω leading directly to Stephen’s martyrdom—which in turn scattered believers and accelerated the spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem.
• Did you know that modern psychological research has identified a phenomenon called “cognitive dissonance” that might explain the intense reaction described by διαπρίω? When deeply held beliefs are challenged by contradictory evidence, people often experience psychological discomfort that can manifest as anger or rejection. The religious leaders hearing Stephen’s message faced exactly this situation—their identity and authority were wrapped up in their understanding of the Law and Temple, and Stephen’s message threatened those foundations, triggering the intense reaction described as being “cut to the heart.”

Remember This

διαπρίω reminds us that truth does not always comfort—sometimes it confronts, and our response to that confrontation reveals the true condition of our hearts.