Acts 4:23-5:11

English Standard Version

The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³ When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard it, they lifted their voices ^(A)together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, ^(B)who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, ²⁵ who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,^[a] said by the Holy Spirit,

²⁷ for truly in this city there were gathered together against your ^(F)holy servant Jesus, ^(G)whom you anointed, both ^(H)Herod and ^(I)Pontius Pilate, along ^(J)with the Gentiles and ^(K)the peoples of Israel, ^28 (L)to do whatever your hand and ^(M)your plan had predestined to take place. ²⁹ And now, Lord, ^(N)look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all ^(O)boldness, ³⁰ while ^(P)you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed ^(Q)through the name of your ^(R)holy servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when they had prayed, ^(S)the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and ^(T)they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and ^(U)continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

They Had Everything in Common

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

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 ^(AG)he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and ^(AH)laid it at the apostles' feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has ^(AI)Satan filled your heart to lie ^(AJ)to the Holy Spirit and ^(AK)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 ^(AL)to God.” ⁵ When Ananias heard these words, he ^(AM)fell down and breathed his last. And ^(AN)great fear came upon all who heard of it. ⁶ The young men rose and ^(AO)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^[c] 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 ^(AP)to test ^(AQ)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 ^(AR)great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.