They Had Everything in Common

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of (A)one heart and (B)soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but (C)they had everything in common. 33 And with great (D)power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and (E)great grace was upon them all. 34 (F)There was not a needy person among them, for (G)as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and (H)laid it at the apostles' feet, and (I)it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means (J)son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and (K)laid it at the apostles' feet.

Ananias and Sapphira

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge (L)he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and (M)laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (N)Satan filled your heart to lie (O)to the Holy Spirit and (P)to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 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 (Q)to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he (R)fell down and breathed his last. And (S)great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and (T)wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you[a] sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together (U)to test (V)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 (W)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 (X)by the hands of the apostles. And they were all (Y)together in (Z)Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but (AA)the people held them in high esteem. 14 And (AB)more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 (AC)so that they even (AD)carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by (AE)at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, (AF)bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 5:8 The Greek for you is plural here

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.(A) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(B) to the resurrection(C) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(D) was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,(E) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(F) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(G)

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(H) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(I)

Ananias and Sapphira

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(J) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(K)

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(L) has so filled your heart(M) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(N) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(O) Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(P) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(Q)

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(R) And great fear(S) seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(T) and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”(U)

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(V) Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.(W) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(X) 11 Great fear(Y) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

The Apostles Heal Many

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders(Z) among the people. And all the believers used to meet together(AA) in Solomon’s Colonnade.(AB) 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.(AC) 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.(AD) 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.(AE) 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.(AF)