使徒行傳 5
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
欺騙聖靈
5 一個名叫亞拿尼亞的人與妻子撒非喇也把田產賣了。 2 他私自留下一部分錢，然後把其餘的拿去交給使徒，這件事他妻子也知道。 3 彼得說：「亞拿尼亞，你為什麼讓撒旦充滿你的心，欺騙聖靈，私自留下一些賣地的錢呢？ 4 田產沒有賣的時候屬於你，即使賣了，賣地的錢也由你支配。你怎麼做出這種事呢？你不是欺騙人，你是欺騙上帝！」 5 亞拿尼亞聽見這話，當場倒地而死。聽見這件事的人都非常懼怕。 6 有幾個青年上前把他的屍體裹起來，抬出去埋葬了。
7 大約過了三個小時，亞拿尼亞的妻子也進來了，她還不知道發生了什麼事。 8 彼得問她：「你們賣田地的錢就這麼多嗎？」她說：「是的，就這麼多。」
9 彼得說：「你們二人怎麼串通起來試探主的靈呢？埋葬你丈夫的人就到門口了，他們也要把你抬出去。」 10 撒非喇立刻倒在彼得腳前死了。那些青年進來看見她已經死了，便把她抬出去葬在她丈夫的旁邊。 11 整個教會和聽見這件事的人都非常懼怕。
神蹟奇事
12 主藉著使徒們在百姓中行了許多神蹟奇事，大家同心合意地在所羅門廊那裡聚會。 13 其他人不敢接近他們，不過百姓都很敬重他們。 14 信主的人數不斷增加，男女都有。 15 人們甚至把病人抬到街上，放在床上或墊子上，希望彼得路過時的影子可以落在病人身上。 16 還有大群的人從耶路撒冷附近的城鎮帶著病人和被污鬼攪擾的人趕來，他們都得了醫治。
使徒受迫害
17 大祭司和他的同黨撒都該人看見這情形，妒火中燒， 18 便把使徒拘捕，關在監裡。 19 當天晚上，有一位主的天使把獄門打開，領他們出來， 20 說：「你們到聖殿去，把這生命之道傳給百姓。」 21 使徒遵從命令，在黎明的時候來到聖殿開始教導眾人。
大祭司和他的同黨召集了所有公會[a]的人和以色列的眾長老，然後派人去監獄把使徒押來受審。 22 差役來到監獄時，發現使徒已經不見了，就回去稟告，說： 23 「我們看見牢門緊鎖，守衛都站在門外，但打開門一看，裡面卻空無一人！」
24 聖殿護衛長和祭司長聽後，都很困擾，不知道是怎麼回事。 25 這時有人來報告說：「你們關押在牢裡的人正在聖殿裡教導人！」 26 聖殿護衛長和差役再去把使徒抓回來。這次他們不敢動粗，生怕百姓會用石頭打他們。
27 使徒被帶來後站在公會前，大祭司盤問他們，說： 28 「我們不是嚴禁你們奉耶穌的名去教導百姓嗎？你們竟然在耶路撒冷各處傳道，還想把殺那人的血債歸到我們身上！」
29 彼得和其他使徒申辯說：「我們要服從的是上帝，而非人。 30 你們釘死在十字架上的耶穌，我們祖先的上帝已經使祂復活了。 31 上帝把祂提升到自己的右邊，立祂為君王和救主，好賜給以色列人悔改的機會，使他們的罪得到赦免。 32 我們就是這些事的見證人，上帝賜給順服祂之人的聖靈也同樣做見證。」
33 他們聽了，怒氣衝天，打算殺掉使徒。 34 公會中有一位名叫迦瑪列的法利賽人，是個德高望重的律法教師。他站起來，叫人把使徒暫且押到外面， 35 然後說：「以色列人啊，你們應當慎重處置這些人。 36 不久前，有個名叫杜達的人起來自立山頭，吸引了差不多四百個跟隨者，但他被殺之後，那些跟隨者就各奔東西，銷聲匿跡了。 37 後來，又有個加利利人猶大在戶口登記期間鼓動百姓跟隨他造反。他被殺之後，那些跟隨者也煙消雲散了。 38 所以，像現在這種情形，我勸大家還是不要管他們，隨他們去吧。他們的計劃和行為如果是出於人意，終必失敗； 39 但如果是出於上帝，你們不但無法阻止他們，恐怕反而是在抵擋上帝！」
40 公會採納了他的意見，於是把使徒召回來打了一頓，再次警告他們不可奉耶穌的名傳道，才放了他們。 41 使徒離開公會後，為自己有資格為主的名受辱而歡喜。 42 他們每天在聖殿裡和各家各戶教導人，傳揚耶穌是基督。
Footnotes
- 5·21 公會是猶太人的最高立法與司法機關。
Acts 5
English Standard Version
Ananias and Sapphira
5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge (A)he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and (B)laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (C)Satan filled your heart to lie (D)to the Holy Spirit and (E)to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but (F)to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he (G)fell down and breathed his last. And (H)great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and (I)wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you[a] sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together (J)to test (K)the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And (L)great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Many Signs and Wonders Done
12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people (M)by the hands of the apostles. And they were all (N)together in (O)Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but (P)the people held them in high esteem. 14 And (Q)more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 (R)so that they even (S)carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by (T)at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, (U)bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
The Apostles Arrested and Freed
17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of (V)the Sadducees), and filled with (W)jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and (X)put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night (Y)an angel of the Lord (Z)opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all (AA)the words of (AB)this (AC)Life.” 21 And when they heard this, (AD)they entered the temple (AE)at daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when (AF)the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison (AG)are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then (AH)the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for (AI)they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, (AJ)“We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you (AK)intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, (AL)“We must obey God rather than men. 30 (AM)The God of our fathers (AN)raised Jesus, (AO)whom you killed by hanging him on (AP)a tree. 31 God exalted (AQ)him at his right hand as (AR)Leader and (AS)Savior, (AT)to give (AU)repentance to Israel and (AV)forgiveness of sins. 32 And (AW)we are witnesses to these things, and (AX)so is the Holy Spirit, (AY)whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they (AZ)were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named (BA)Gamaliel, (BB)a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For (BC)before these days Theudas rose up, (BD)claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of (BE)the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for (BF)if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but (BG)if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You (BH)might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and (BI)when they had called in the apostles, (BJ)they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, (BK)rejoicing that they were counted worthy (BL)to suffer dishonor for (BM)the name. 42 And every day, (BN)in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and (BO)preaching (BP)that the Christ is Jesus.
Footnotes
- Acts 5:8 The Greek for you is plural here
Acts 5
The Voice
This portrait of the early church as an unselfish community is captivating and inspiring. It presents a challenge for many followers of the Anointed One who want to show sacrificially their love to Him and His church. Many today wonder how to translate this into a modern culture so shaped by consumerism and self-interest, but no translation is necessary. These problems weren’t foreign to the early community. In contrast to the generosity and sincerity of some like Barnabas, Luke now explains that others gave not out of love, but out of a desire to be honored by the community.
5 Once a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira fully cooperating, committed fraud. He sold some property 2 and kept some of the proceeds, but he pretended to make a full donation to the Lord’s emissaries.[a]
Peter: 3 Ananias, have you allowed Satan to influence your lies to the Holy Spirit and hold back some of the money? 4 Look, it was your property before you sold it, and the money was all yours after you sold it. Why have you concocted this scheme in your heart? You weren’t just lying to us; you were lying to God.
5 Ananias heard these words and immediately dropped to the ground, dead; fear overcame all those who heard of the incident. 6 Some young men came, wrapped the body, and buried it immediately. 7 About three hours had passed when Sapphira arrived. She had no idea what had happened.
Peter: 8 Did you sell the land for such-and-such a price?
Sapphira: Yes, that was the price.
Peter: 9 Why did the two of you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Do you hear those footsteps outside? Those are the young men who just buried your husband, and now they will carry you out as well.
10 She—like her husband—immediately fell dead at Peter’s feet. The young men came in and carried her corpse outside and buried it beside her husband. 11 The whole church was terrified by this story, as were others who heard it.
In these formative days, God sends some strong messages about His work in the church: the power to heal, the beauty of life in the Spirit, and His hatred for arrogant religion. If God does not rebuke the married couple who chooses to make a show of their supposed generosity, then Christianity might drift in the wrong direction. While the Jewish leaders are using religion as a means to gain power and increase their reputations, the teachings of Jesus lead down a path toward the kingdom of God rather than toward human advancement. God chooses to expose these bad motives quickly, so that the church can give out of pure motives rather than out of a desire to appear righteous.
12 Those were amazing days—with many signs and wonders being performed through the apostles among the people. The church would gather as a unified group in Solomon’s Porch, 13 enjoying great respect by the people of the city—though most people wouldn’t risk publicly affiliating with them. 14 Even so, record numbers of believers—both men and women—were added to the Lord. 15 The church’s renown was so great that when Peter walked down the street, people would carry out their sick relatives hoping his shadow would fall on some of them as he passed. 16 Even people from towns surrounding Jerusalem would come, bringing others who were sick or tormented by unclean spirits, all of whom were cured.
17 Of course, this popularity elicited a response: the high priest and his affiliates in the Sadducean party were jealous, 18 so they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But that night, a messenger of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them to freedom.
Messenger of the Lord: 20 Go to the temple, and stand up to tell the people the whole message about this way of life from Jesus.
21 At dawn they did as they were told; they returned to their teaching in the temple.
Meanwhile the council of Jewish elders was gathering—convened by the high priest and his colleagues. They sent the temple police to the prison to have the Lord’s emissaries[b] brought for further examination; 22 but of course, the temple police soon realized they weren’t there. They returned and reported,
Temple Police: 23 The prison was secure and locked, and the guards were standing in front of the doors; but when we unlocked the doors, the cell was empty.
24 The captain of the temple police and the senior priests were completely mystified when they heard this. They had no idea what had happened. 25 Just then, someone arrived with this news:
Temple Messenger: You know those men you put in prison last night? Well, they’re free. At this moment, they’re at it again, teaching our people in the temple!
26 The temple police—this time, accompanied by their captain—rushed over to the temple and brought the emissaries[c] of the Lord to the council. They were careful not to use violence, because the people were so supportive of them that the police feared being stoned by the crowd if they were too rough. 27 Once again the men stood before the council. The high priest began the questioning.
High Priest: 28 Didn’t we give you strict orders to stop teaching in this name? But here you are, spreading your teaching throughout Jerusalem. And you are determined to blame us for this man’s death.
Peter and the Apostles: 29 If we have to choose between obedience to God and obedience to any human authority, then we must obey God. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from death. You killed Jesus by hanging Him on a tree, 31 but God has lifted Him high, to God’s own right hand, as the Prince, as the Liberator. God intends to bring Israel to a radical rethinking of our lives and to a complete forgiveness of our sins. 32 We are witnesses to these things. There is another witness, too—the Holy Spirit—whom God has given to all who choose to obey Him.
33 The council was furious and would have killed them; 34 but Gamaliel, a Pharisee in the council respected as a teacher of the Hebrew Scriptures, stood up and ordered the men to be sent out so the council could confer privately.
Gamaliel: 35 Fellow Jews, you need to act with great care in your treatment of these fellows. 36 Remember when a man named Theudas rose to notoriety? He claimed to be somebody important, and he attracted about 400 followers. But when he was killed, his entire movement disintegrated and nothing came of it. 37 After him came Judas, that Galilean fellow, at the time of the census. He also attracted a following; but when he died, his entire movement fell apart. 38 So here’s my advice: in this case, just let these men go. Ignore them. If this is just another movement arising from human enthusiasm, it will die out soon enough. 39 But then again, if God is in this, you won’t be able to stop it—unless, of course, you’re ready to fight against God!
40 The council was convinced, so they brought the apostles back in. They were flogged, again told not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released. 41 As they left the council, they weren’t discouraged at all. In fact, they were filled with joy over being considered worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of His name. 42 And constantly, whether in public, in the temple, or in their homes, they kept teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Anointed One, the Liberating King.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.