Theophylact of Ohrid, on Acts 2:37

“Now when they had heard these things, they had compunction in their heart, and said to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles: What shall we do, men and brethren?”

“You see how much condescension there is and how it is more capable than severity of penetrating the hearts of people and softening them. Although the blessed Peter does remind them in this passage of their audacities, he reminds them gently, adding nothing offensive to them. They were ashamed of Peter's condescension, that is, of the fact that with them—who had put to death the Lord Himself, who had raised their hands against the apostles and wished to destroy them—Peter spoke with care, as a father and teacher. "They were cut to the heart," it says: they were not simply convinced, but came to know themselves, for they say: "What shall we do, men and brethren?"—as if being at a loss and anxious about their audacities. Those whom they formerly called deceivers they now call brethren, and yet they do not dare to use this title before the face of those whom they so call, but wish to declare through it their love and how strongly the Jews had become disposed toward the apostles. Therefore, as the beginning of Peter's speech shows, the apostles themselves also called them by this name.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.