Lying to the Holy Spirit

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.(A)

“Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart(B) to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.” When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard.(C) The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him.(D)

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

“Yes,” she said, “for that price.”

Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”(E)

10 Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. 11 Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.

Apostolic Signs and Wonders

12 Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles.(F) They were all together in Solomon’s Colonnade.(G) 13 No one else dared to join them, but the people spoke well of them.(H) 14 Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—multitudes of both men and women. 15 As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow(I) might fall on some of them. 16 In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

In and out of Prison

17 Then the high priest rose up. He and all who were with him, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.(J) 18 So they arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.(K) 19 But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said,(L) 20 “Go and stand in the temple, and tell the people all about this life.”(M) 21 Hearing this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

The Apostles on Trial Again

When the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full council of the Israelites—and sent orders to the jail to have them brought.(N) 22 But when the servants[a] got there, they did not find them in the jail; so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing in front of the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 As[b] the captain of the temple police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, wondering what would come of this.

25 Someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the commander went with the servants and brought them in without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them.(O) 27 After they brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest asked, 28 “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name?(P) Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”(Q)

29 Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people. 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus,(R) whom you had murdered by hanging him on a tree.(S) 31 God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.(T) 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit(U) whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Gamaliel’s Advice

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.(V) 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men[c] to be taken outside for a little while.(W) 35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re about to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and came to nothing.(X) 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail;(Y) 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him.(Z) 40 After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.(AA) 41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.[d](AB) 42 Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Footnotes

  1. 5:22 Or temple police, or officers, also in v. 26
  2. 5:24 Other mss add the high priest and
  3. 5:34 Other mss read apostles
  4. 5:41 Other mss add of Jesus, or of Christ

Ananias and Sapphira Lie to the Holy Spirit

Now a certain man named[a] Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and he kept back for himself some of the proceeds, and his[b] wife was aware of it.[c] And he brought a certain part and[d] placed it[e] at the feet of the apostles. But Peter said, “Ananias, for what reason has Satan filled your heart, that you lied to the Holy Spirit and kept back for yourself some of the proceeds of the piece of land? When it[f] remained to you, did it not remain yours? And when it[g] was sold, was it at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people, but to God!”

And when[h] Ananias heard these words, he fell down and[i] died. And great fear came on all those who heard about it.[j] So the young men stood up, wrapped him up, and carried him[k] out and[l] buried him.[m] And it happened that there was an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you both[n] were paid this much for the piece of land.” And she said, “Yes, this much.” So Peter said to her, “How is it that it was agreed by you two[o] to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!” 10 And immediately she fell down at his feet and died. So when[p] the young men came in, they found her dead, and carried her[q] out and[r] buried her[s] with her husband. 11 And great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard about these things.

Many Signs and Wonders Are Performed by the Apostles

12 Now many signs and wonders were being performed among the people through the hands of the apostles. And they were all together[t] in Solomon’s Portico. 13 And none of the rest dared to join them, but the people spoke highly of them. 14 And even more believers in the Lord[u] were being added, large numbers of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and put them[v] on cots and mats[w] so that when[x] Peter came by, at least his[y] shadow would fall on some of them. 16 And the people of the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, who were all being healed.

The Apostles Arrested and Imprisoned

17 Now the high priest rose up and all those who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and[z] they were filled with jealousy. 18 And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out and[aa] said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple courts[ab] and[ac] proclaim to the people all the words of this life.” 21 And when they[ad] heard this,[ae] they entered at daybreak into the temple courts[af] and began teaching.[ag]

Now when[ah] the high priest and those with him arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin—even the whole council of elders of the sons of Israel—and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But the officers who came[ai] did not find them in the prison, and they returned and[aj] reported, 23 saying, “We found the prison locked with all security and the guards standing at the doors, but when we[ak] opened them,[al] we found no one inside!” 24 Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed concerning them, as to what this might be. 25 But someone came and[am] reported to them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple courts[an] and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went with the officers and[ao] brought them, not with force (for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned by them).[ap]

The Apostles on Trial Before the Sanhedrin

27 And when they[aq] had brought them, they made them[ar] stand in the Sanhedrin,[as] and the high priest put a question to them, 28 saying, “We strictly commanded[at] you[au] not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! And you are intending to bring upon us the blood of this man!” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered and[av] said, “It is necessary to obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by[aw] hanging him[ax] on a tree. 31 This one God has exalted to his right hand as Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things, and so is[ay] the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 Now when[az] they heard this,[ba] they were infuriated, and were wanting to execute them. 34 But a certain man stood up in the Sanhedrin,[bb] a Pharisee named[bc] Gamaliel, a teacher of the law respected by all the people, and[bd] gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men and Israelites, take care for yourselves what you are about to do to these men! 36 For before these days, Theudas rose up saying he was somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him.[be] He[bf] was executed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and caused people to follow him in revolt.[bg] And that one perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 And now I tell you, keep away from these men, and leave them alone, because if this plan or this matter is from people, it will be overthrown.[bh] 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found fighting against God.” So they were persuaded by him. 40 And they summoned the apostles, beat them,[bi] commanded them[bj] not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.[bk] 41 So they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin[bl] rejoicing, because they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the sake of the name. 42 Every day, both in the temple courts[bm] and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that the Christ[bn] was Jesus.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 5:1 Literally “by name”
  2. Acts 5:2 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  3. Acts 5:2 *Here the participle “was aware of” in this genitive absolute construction has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style
  4. Acts 5:2 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“brought”) has been translated as a finite verb
  5. Acts 5:2 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  6. Acts 5:4 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“remained”) which is understood as temporal
  7. Acts 5:4 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was sold”) which is understood as temporal
  8. Acts 5:5 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  9. Acts 5:5 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“fell down”) has been translated as a finite verb
  10. Acts 5:5 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  11. Acts 5:6 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  12. Acts 5:6 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“carried … out”) has been translated as a finite verb
  13. Acts 5:6 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  14. Acts 5:8 Here “both” reflects the second person plural verb, which refers to both Ananias and Sapphira
  15. Acts 5:9 Here “two” is supplied in the translation to indicate that the pronoun (“you”) is plural in the Greek text
  16. Acts 5:10 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came in”) which is understood as temporal
  17. Acts 5:10 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  18. Acts 5:10 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“carried … out”) has been translated as a finite verb
  19. Acts 5:10 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  20. Acts 5:12 Or perhaps “by common consent”
  21. Acts 5:14 Or “even more believers were being added to the Lord”
  22. Acts 5:15 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  23. Acts 5:15 Or “mattresses”
  24. Acts 5:15 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“came by”)
  25. Acts 5:15 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  26. Acts 5:17 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“rose up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  27. Acts 5:19 Here “and” is supplied because the two previous participles (“opened” and “led”) have been translated as finite verbs
  28. Acts 5:20 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  29. Acts 5:20 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stand”) has been translated as a finite verb
  30. Acts 5:21 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  31. Acts 5:21 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  32. Acts 5:21 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  33. Acts 5:21 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began teaching”)
  34. Acts 5:21 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
  35. Acts 5:22 Or “when they came”
  36. Acts 5:22 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“returned”) has been translated as a finite verb
  37. Acts 5:23 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“opened”) which is understood as temporal
  38. Acts 5:23 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  39. Acts 5:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came”) has been translated as a finite verb
  40. Acts 5:25 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  41. Acts 5:26 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went”) has been translated as a finite verb
  42. Acts 5:26 *The words “by them” are not in the Greek text but are implied
  43. Acts 5:27 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had brought”) which is understood as temporal
  44. Acts 5:27 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  45. Acts 5:27 Or “council”
  46. Acts 5:28 Literally “we commanded with a commandment”
  47. Acts 5:28 Some manuscripts have “Did we not strictly command you”
  48. Acts 5:29 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  49. Acts 5:30 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“hanging”) which is understood as means
  50. Acts 5:30 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  51. Acts 5:32 The words “so is” are not in the Greek text but are implied
  52. Acts 5:33 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  53. Acts 5:33 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  54. Acts 5:34 Or “council”
  55. Acts 5:34 Literally “by name”
  56. Acts 5:34 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stood up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  57. Acts 5:36 Literally “to whom”
  58. Acts 5:36 Literally “who”
  59. Acts 5:37 Literally “caused people to revolt after him”
  60. Acts 5:38 Or “it will fail”
  61. Acts 5:40 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  62. Acts 5:40 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  63. Acts 5:40 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  64. Acts 5:41 Or “council”
  65. Acts 5:42 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  66. Acts 5:42 Or “Messiah”