Acts 5
Lexham English Bible
Ananias and Sapphira Lie to the Holy Spirit
5 Now a certain man named[a] Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 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. 3 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? 4 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!”
5 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] 6 So the young men stood up, wrapped him up, and carried him[k] out and[l] buried him.[m] 7 And it happened that there was an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 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.” 9 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
- Acts 5:1 Literally “by name”
- Acts 5:2 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- 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
- Acts 5:2 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“brought”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 5:2 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:4 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“remained”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 5:4 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was sold”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 5:5 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 5:5 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“fell down”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 5:5 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:6 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:6 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“carried … out”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 5:6 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:8 Here “both” reflects the second person plural verb, which refers to both Ananias and Sapphira
- Acts 5:9 Here “two” is supplied in the translation to indicate that the pronoun (“you”) is plural in the Greek text
- Acts 5:10 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came in”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 5:10 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:10 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“carried … out”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 5:10 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:12 Or perhaps “by common consent”
- Acts 5:14 Or “even more believers were being added to the Lord”
- Acts 5:15 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:15 Or “mattresses”
- Acts 5:15 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“came by”)
- Acts 5:15 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Acts 5:17 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“rose up”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 5:19 Here “and” is supplied because the two previous participles (“opened” and “led”) have been translated as finite verbs
- Acts 5:20 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
- Acts 5:20 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stand”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 5:21 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 5:21 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:21 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
- Acts 5:21 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began teaching”)
- Acts 5:21 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 5:22 Or “when they came”
- Acts 5:22 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“returned”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 5:23 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“opened”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 5:23 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 5:25 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
- Acts 5:26 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 5:26 *The words “by them” are not in the Greek text but are implied
- Acts 5:27 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had brought”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 5:27 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:27 Or “council”
- Acts 5:28 Literally “we commanded with a commandment”
- Acts 5:28 Some manuscripts have “Did we not strictly command you”
- Acts 5:29 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 5:30 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“hanging”) which is understood as means
- Acts 5:30 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:32 The words “so is” are not in the Greek text but are implied
- Acts 5:33 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 5:33 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:34 Or “council”
- Acts 5:34 Literally “by name”
- Acts 5:34 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stood up”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 5:36 Literally “to whom”
- Acts 5:36 Literally “who”
- Acts 5:37 Literally “caused people to revolt after him”
- Acts 5:38 Or “it will fail”
- Acts 5:40 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:40 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:40 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 5:41 Or “council”
- Acts 5:42 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
- Acts 5:42 Or “Messiah”
Acts 5
Amplified Bible
Fate of Ananias and Sapphira
5 Now a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s full knowledge [and complicity] he kept back some of the proceeds, bringing only a [a]portion of it, and set it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and [secretly] keep back for yourself some of the proceeds [from the sale] of the land? 4 As long as it remained [unsold], did it not remain your own [to do with as you pleased]? And after it was sold, was the money not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this act [of hypocrisy and deceit] in your heart? You have not [simply] lied to people, but to God.” 5 And hearing these words, Ananias fell down suddenly and died; and great fear and awe gripped those who heard of it. 6 And the young men [in the congregation] got up and wrapped up the body, and carried it out and buried it.
7 Now after an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me whether you sold your land for so much?” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How could you two have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 And at once she fell down at his feet and died; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear and awe gripped the whole church, and all who heard about these things.
12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders (attesting miracles) were continually taking place among the people. And by common consent they all met together [at the temple] in [the covered porch called] Solomon’s portico. 13 But none of the rest [of the people, the non-believers] dared to associate with them; however, the people were holding them in high esteem and were speaking highly of them. 14 More and more believers in the Lord, crowds of men and women, were constantly being added to their number, 15 to such an extent that they even carried their sick out into the streets and put them on cots and sleeping pads, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on one of them [with healing power]. 16 And the people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
Imprisonment and Release
17 But the [b]high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy and resentment. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in a public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, and leading them out, he said, 20 “Go, stand and continue to tell the people in the temple [courtyards] the whole message of this Life [the eternal life revealed by Christ and found through faith in Him].” 21 When they heard this, they went into the temple [courtyards] about daybreak and began teaching.
Now when the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), even all the council of elders of the sons of Israel, and sent word to the prison for the apostles to be brought [before them]. 22 But when the officers arrived, they did not find them in the prison; and they came back and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened [the doors], we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these things, they were greatly perplexed, wondering what would come of this. 25 But someone came and told them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing [right here] in the temple [area], teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them back, without hurting them (because they were afraid of the people, worried that they might be stoned).
27 So they brought them and presented them before the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court). The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this [c]Man’s blood on us [by accusing us as His murderers].” 29 Then Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men [we have no other choice]. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a [d]cross [and you are responsible].(A) 31 God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior and Deliverer, in order to grant repentance to Israel, and [to grant] forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has bestowed on those who obey Him.”
Gamaliel’s Counsel
33 Now when they heard this, they were infuriated and they intended to kill the apostles. 34 But a Pharisee named [e]Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law [of Moses], highly esteemed by all the people, stood up in the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) and ordered that the men be taken outside for a little while. 35 Then he said to the Council, “Men of Israel, be careful in regard to what you propose to do to these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody [of importance], and a group of about four hundred men allied themselves with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up, [and led an uprising] during the time of the census, and drew people after him; he was also killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men [merely human in origin], it will fail and be destroyed; 39 but if it is of God [and it appears that it is], you will not be able to stop them; or else you may even be found fighting against God!”
40 The Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) took his advice; and after summoning the apostles, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. 41 So they left the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy [dignified by indignity] to suffer shame for [the sake of] His name. 42 And every single day, in the temple [area] and in homes, they did not stop teaching and telling the good news of Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).
Footnotes
- Acts 5:2 Ananias wanted everyone to think that he had turned over all the money from the sale, so secretly holding some back was essentially embezzling. If he had been honest and told Peter that he had kept some of the money, he would have done nothing wrong.
- Acts 5:17 This may refer to either Caiaphas (the official high priest) or his father-in-law, Annas (the de facto high priest). See note 4:6.
- Acts 5:28 The reason the Council members refused to refer to Jesus by name is unclear, but may indicate contempt, guilt, or perhaps fear.
- Acts 5:30 Lit wood.
- Acts 5:34 Saul of Tarsus, later known as the apostle Paul, was among Gamaliel’s students. See 22:3.
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