The Early Church · c. AD 30–31
Chapter 4
Ananias and Sapphira
They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
For parents
This chapter tells how Ananias and his wife Sapphira kept back part of the money from land they sold, and how each of them fell down and died when Peter spoke to them; the young men carried them out and buried them (Acts 5:1–11). It also tells how the council was determined to kill the apostles, and beat them before letting them go (5:33, 40). It is told plainly, without detail, and gives no reason for the deaths beyond what the text says.
No one among the believers went without, because whoever owned fields or houses sold them and laid the money at the ’ feet. Then it was handed out to anyone who needed it. had done the same with a field of his.
But a man called and his wife sold some land of theirs. He kept back some of the money from the sale, and his wife knew it. Then he brought only part of the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
But said, “Ananias, why has filled your heart to lie to the and to keep back part of the money from the land? While you still had it, wasn’t it your own? And once it was sold, wasn’t the money under your control? Why did you plan this in your heart? You haven’t lied to people, but to God.”
Ananias heard these words, and he fell down and died. Great fear came over everyone who heard about these things.
The young men got up and wrapped him, then carried him out and buried him.
About three hours later Ananias’ wife came in. She had no idea what had happened.
Peter said to her, “Tell me, did you sell the land for this much?”
“Yes,” she said, “for that much.”
Then Peter asked her, “How could you both agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
Right then she fell down at Peter’s feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead. They carried her out and buried her next to her husband.
Great fear came over the whole , and over everyone who heard about these things.
Through the apostles, many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all together in , all of one mind.
None of the others dared to join them, but the people thought highly of them. More believers were added to the Lord, great crowds of men and women alike.
They even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at least his shadow might pass over some of them.
Crowds also came together from the towns around , bringing sick people and people tormented by , and they were all healed.
But the rose up, and so did all those with him, the group called the . Filled with jealousy, they seized the apostles and locked them up in the public jail.
But an of the Lord opened the prison doors in the night and brought them out. “Go,” he said, “stand in the temple and tell the people all the words of this life.”
When they heard this, they went into the temple at about daybreak and taught.
Meanwhile the high priest and those with him came and called the together, with all the of Israel. They sent to the prison to have the apostles brought in.
But when the officers got there, they didn’t find them in the prison. They came back and reported, “We found the prison shut and locked, with the guards on duty at the doors, but when we opened them, there was no one inside!”
When the high priest, the captain of the temple and the heard this, they were deeply puzzled about them, wondering what this would come to.
Then someone came to them and said, “Look, the men you locked up are in the temple, standing there and teaching the people!”
Then the captain went with the officers and brought the apostles, but not by force. They were afraid the people might stone them.
They brought the apostles in and set them before the council. The high priest questioned them: “Didn’t we firmly order you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. You are trying to blame us for this man’s death.”
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised up . You killed him, hanging him on a tree. God lifted him high with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give Israel and the forgiveness of sins. We are his witnesses of these things, and so too is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When the council heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they were determined to kill the apostles.
But a named stood up in the council. He was a teacher of the law, and all the people honored him. He ordered the apostles to be put outside for a little while.
“Men of Israel,” he told them, “watch what you are about to do to these men. Before these days, rose up, making himself out to be somebody, and some four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.
“After him, rose up at the time of the enrollment, when people’s names were being written down. He led some people away to follow him. He died too, and all who obeyed him were scattered far and wide.
“Now I tell you, keep away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this work comes from people, it will be overthrown. But if it comes from God, you won’t be able to overthrow it, and you would even find yourselves fighting against God!”
They agreed with him. They sent for the apostles and beat them. They commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go.
So the apostles left the council, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’ name.
Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the .