Acts 5
Modern English Version
Ananias and Sapphira
5 Now a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 He kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a part of it and placed it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to deceive the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, was it not your own? And when it was sold, was it not under your authority? Why have you conceived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to men, but to God.”
5 On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came on all those who heard these things. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for this amount?”
She said, “Yes, for that much.”
9 Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together 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.”
10 At once she fell down at his feet and died. Upon entering, the young men found her dead and carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear came on the entire church and on all those who heard these things.
Signs and Wonders
12 Many signs and wonders were performed among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Porch. 13 No one else dared join them, but the people respected them. 14 Believers were increasingly added to the Lord, crowds of both men and women, 15 so that they even brought the sick out into the streets and placed them on beds and mats, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might touch some of them. 16 Crowds also came out of the cities surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were afflicted by evil spirits, and they were all healed.
Persecution of the Apostles
17 Then the high priest and all those who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees) rose up and were filled with jealousy. 18 They seized the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and led them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
21 Having heard this, they entered the temple at dawn and taught.
But the high priest and those who were with him came and called together the Sanhedrin and the senate of all the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought out. 22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely shut and the guards standing outside before the doors. But when we opened it, we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they were in doubt of what might become of this.
25 Then one came and told them, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with his escorts went and brought them, without force lest they should be stoned, for they feared the people.
27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? Yet now you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring on us this Man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging on a tree. 31 God exalted this Man to His right hand to be a Ruler and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are His witnesses to these words, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
33 When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law honored by all the people, stood and ordered the apostles to be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he said to them, “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do concerning these men. 36 For in previous days Theudas rose up, boasting to be somebody, to whom a number of about four hundred men joined themselves. He was killed, and all who obeyed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After Theudas, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away many people after him. This man also perished, and all who obeyed him were scattered. 38 Now I tell you, keep away from these men and leave them alone, because if this intention or this activity is of men, it will come to nothing. 39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest perhaps you be found even fighting against God.”
40 They agreed with him. When they had called in the apostles, they beat them, and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
41 Then they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 Daily, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
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
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
