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1-2 man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold a field. He brought some of the money to the apostles. But he kept the rest of it. His wife knew what he had done.

Peter said, `Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart? Why do you lie to the Holy Spirit? You have kept some of the money which you got for the field.

As long as you had the field, it belonged to you. When you had the money, you could do what you wanted to do with it. Why then did you plan to do a thing like this? You have not lied to men, but to God.'

As Ananias heard Peter's words, he fell down and died. All who heard these things were very much afraid.

The young men came and wrapped him up. They carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later, his wife came in. She did not know what had happened.

Peter asked her, `Tell me, did you sell the field for so much money?' and she answered, `Yes, that is how much it was.'

Then Peter said to her, `Why did you two agree together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen, I hear the footsteps of the men who buried your husband. They are at the door. They will carry you out too.'

10 And she fell down at Peter's feet and died. The young men came in and saw that she was dead. They carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

11 Then all the church people, and all the people who heard about this were very much afraid.

12 The apostles did many signs and wonderful things for the people who met together in the place called Solomon's porch.

13 Other people feared to join them, but they spoke well of them.

14 Many more men and women believed and came to the Lord.

15 They brought sick people out into the streets and laid them on beds and mats. They hoped that at least Peter's shadow would touch them as he passed by.

16 Many people also came from the cities around Jerusalem. They brought others who were sick and those who were controlled by bad spirits. Every one of them was healed.

17 Some Sadducees were with the high priest. They all became very jealous.

18 They caught the apostles and put them in prison.

19 But that night the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out.

20 `Go,' said the angel. `Stand in the temple and tell the people all about this new life.'

21 When the apostles heard that, they went into the temple early in the morning and taught the people there. The high priest and his men came. They called a meeting of the court and all the leaders of the Jews. Then they sent men to the prison to bring the apostles out.

22 When the men came to the prison, they did not find the apostles there. Then they went back and told the high priest and those with him.

23 They said, `The prison was locked very well. And the police were guarding the doors. But when we opened the doors, no one was inside.'

24 When the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard this, they did not know what to think. `We wonder what will come from all this,' they thought.

25 Just then someone came and told them, `The men you put in prison are standing in the temple teaching the people.'

26 Then the captain went with the men and brought the apostles quietly. They did not bring them by force because they were afraid the people would kill them with stones.

27-28 o they brought them in and put them before the court. The high priest asked them, `Did we not tell you that you must never teach again in this name? But here you are, teaching people all over Jerusalem in this name. You are trying to put on us the blame for this man's death.'

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered them, `We must obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, the one you killed by hanging on a dead tree.

31 God has made him great at his right side. He has made him leader and Saviour. He has done this so that the people of Israel may stop doing wrong things and be forgiven.

32 We know these things are true. So does the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.'

33 When the judges heard this, they were very, very angry and wanted to kill them.

34 Then a lawyer named Gamaliel stood up in the court. He was a Pharisee and all the people respected him. He asked that the apostles be taken out for a while.

35 Then he said, `Men of Israel, you had better take care what you plan to do to these men.

36 Before this time, there was a man named Theudas. He tried to make people believe that he was a great man. He had about four hundred followers. He was killed, and all of his followers were scattered, and the whole thing ended.

37 Then after that, at tax time, another man named Judas from Galilee made trouble. Many people followed him. He also was killed and all of his followers were scattered. 38,

38-39 o now, I say, do nothing to these men. Leave them alone. If this is the teaching or work of men, it will come to an end. But if it is of God, you cannot stop these men. You might even be fighting against God!'

40 They agreed to do what he said. They called in the apostles and had them beaten. They told them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go.

41 The apostles left the court. They were very glad to think that God let them be punished for the name of Jesus.

42 Every day, in the temple and in homes, they kept on teaching and talking about Jesus Christ.

Castigo de Ananías y Safira

Pero cierto hombre llamado Ananías, con Safira su mujer, vendió una propiedad, y se quedó con parte del precio(A), sabiéndolo también su[a] mujer; y trayendo la otra[b] parte, la puso a los pies de los apóstoles(B). Mas Pedro dijo: Ananías, ¿por qué ha llenado Satanás(C) tu corazón para mentir al Espíritu Santo(D), y quedarte con parte del precio(E) del terreno? Mientras estaba sin venderse, ¿no te pertenecía? Y después de vendida, ¿no estaba bajo tu poder? ¿Por qué concebiste[c] este asunto en tu corazón? No has mentido a los hombres sino a Dios(F). Al oír Ananías estas palabras, cayó y expiró(G); y vino un gran temor sobre todos los que lo supieron[d](H). Y los jóvenes[e] se levantaron y lo cubrieron(I), y sacándolo, le dieron sepultura.

Después de un lapso como de tres horas entró su mujer, no sabiendo lo que había sucedido. Y Pedro le preguntó[f]: Dime, ¿vendisteis el terreno en tanto? Y ella dijo: Sí, ese fue el precio[g](J). Entonces Pedro le dijo: ¿Por qué os pusisteis de acuerdo para poner a prueba(K) al Espíritu del Señor(L)? Mira, los pies de los que sepultaron a tu marido están a la puerta, y te sacarán también a ti. 10 Al instante ella cayó a los pies de él, y expiró(M). Al entrar los jóvenes, la hallaron muerta, y la sacaron y le dieron sepultura junto a su marido. 11 Y vino un gran temor sobre toda la iglesia, y sobre todos los que supieron[h] estas cosas(N).

Muchas señales y prodigios

12 Por mano de los apóstoles se realizaban muchas señales[i] y prodigios(O) entre el pueblo; y estaban todos unánimes en el pórtico de Salomón(P). 13 Pero ninguno de los demás se atrevía a juntarse con ellos; sin embargo, el pueblo los tenía en gran estima(Q). 14 Y más y más creyentes(R) en el Señor, multitud de hombres y de mujeres, se añadían constantemente al número de ellos(S), 15 a tal punto que aun sacaban los enfermos a las calles y los tendían en lechos y camillas, para que al pasar Pedro, siquiera su sombra cayera sobre alguno de ellos(T). 16 También la gente[j] de las ciudades en los alrededores de Jerusalén acudía trayendo enfermos y atormentados por espíritus inmundos, y[k] todos eran sanados.

En la cárcel y libres otra vez

17 Pero levantándose el sumo sacerdote, y todos los que estaban con él (es decir, la secta(U) de los saduceos(V)), se llenaron de celo, 18 y echaron mano a los apóstoles y los pusieron en una cárcel pública(W). 19 Pero un ángel del Señor(X), durante la noche, abrió las puertas de la cárcel, y sacándolos, dijo: 20 Id, y puestos de pie en el templo, hablad[l] al pueblo todo el mensaje[m](Y) de esta Vida. 21 Habiendo oído esto, entraron al amanecer en el templo y enseñaban(Z). Cuando llegaron el sumo sacerdote(AA) y los que estaban con él, convocaron al concilio[n](AB), es decir[o], a todo el senado de los hijos de Israel, y enviaron órdenes a la cárcel para que los trajeran. 22 Pero los alguaciles(AC) que fueron no los encontraron en la cárcel; volvieron, pues, e informaron, 23 diciendo: Encontramos la cárcel cerrada con toda seguridad y los guardias de pie a las puertas; pero cuando abrimos, a nadie hallamos dentro. 24 Cuando oyeron estas palabras, el capitán de la guardia del templo(AD) y los principales sacerdotes se quedaron muy perplejos a causa de ellos, pensando en qué terminaría aquello[p]. 25 Pero alguien se presentó y les informó: Mirad, los hombres que pusisteis en la cárcel están en el templo enseñando al pueblo. 26 Entonces el capitán(AE) fue con los alguaciles(AF) y los trajo sin violencia (porque temían(AG) al pueblo, no fuera que los apedrearan). 27 Cuando los trajeron, los pusieron ante[q] el concilio[r](AH), y el sumo sacerdote los interrogó, 28 diciendo: Os dimos órdenes estrictas de no continuar enseñando en este nombre(AI), y he aquí, habéis llenado a Jerusalén con vuestras enseñanzas, y queréis traer sobre nosotros la sangre de este hombre(AJ). 29 Mas respondiendo Pedro y los apóstoles, dijeron: Debemos obedecer a Dios antes que a los hombres(AK). 30 El Dios de nuestros padres(AL) resucitó a Jesús(AM), a quien vosotros habíais matado[s] colgándole en una cruz[t](AN). 31 A este Dios exaltó a[u] su diestra(AO) como Príncipe[v](AP) y Salvador(AQ), para dar arrepentimiento a Israel, y perdón de pecados(AR). 32 Y nosotros somos testigos[w] de estas cosas(AS); y también el Espíritu Santo(AT), el cual Dios ha dado a los que le obedecen.

El consejo de Gamaliel

33 Cuando ellos oyeron esto, se sintieron profundamente ofendidos[x](AU) y querían matarlos. 34 Pero cierto fariseo llamado Gamaliel(AV), maestro(AW) de la ley, respetado por todo el pueblo, se levantó en el concilio[y](AX) y ordenó que sacaran fuera a los hombres por un momento. 35 Y les dijo: Varones de Israel, tened cuidado de lo que vais a hacer con estos hombres. 36 Porque hace algún tiempo Teudas se levantó pretendiendo ser alguien(AY); y un grupo como de cuatrocientos hombres se unió a él. Y[z] fue muerto, y todos los que lo seguían[aa] fueron dispersos y reducidos a nada. 37 Después de él, se levantó Judas de Galilea en los días del censo(AZ), y llevó mucha gente tras sí; él también pereció, y todos los que lo seguían[ab] se dispersaron. 38 Por tanto, en este caso os digo: no tengáis nada que ver con[ac] estos hombres y dejadlos en paz, porque si este plan o acción[ad] es de los hombres(BA), perecerá; 39 pero si es de Dios, no podréis destruirlos; no sea que os halléis luchando contra Dios(BB). 40 Ellos aceptaron su consejo[ae], y después de llamar a los apóstoles, los azotaron(BC) y les ordenaron que no hablaran en el nombre de Jesús y los soltaron. 41 Ellos, pues, salieron de la presencia del concilio[af](BD), regocijándose de que hubieran sido tenidos por dignos de padecer afrenta por su Nombre[ag](BE). 42 Y todos los días, en el templo y de casa en casa[ah](BF), no cesaban de enseñar y predicar a[ai] Jesús(BG) como el Cristo[aj].

Footnotes

  1. Hechos 5:2 O, con la complicidad de su
  2. Hechos 5:2 Lit., cierta
  3. Hechos 5:4 O, pusiste
  4. Hechos 5:5 Lit., oyeron
  5. Hechos 5:6 Lit., más jóvenes
  6. Hechos 5:8 Lit., respondió
  7. Hechos 5:8 Lit., en tanto
  8. Hechos 5:11 Lit., oyeron
  9. Hechos 5:12 O, milagros
  10. Hechos 5:16 Lit., multitud
  11. Hechos 5:16 Lit., los cuales
  12. Hechos 5:20 O, continuad hablando
  13. Hechos 5:20 Lit., todas las palabras
  14. Hechos 5:21 O, Sanedrín
  15. Hechos 5:21 Lit., y
  16. Hechos 5:24 Lit., qué llegaría a ser esto
  17. Hechos 5:27 Lit., en
  18. Hechos 5:27 O, Sanedrín
  19. Hechos 5:30 O, sobre quien habíais puesto manos violentas
  20. Hechos 5:30 Lit., un madero
  21. Hechos 5:31 O, con
  22. Hechos 5:31 O, Líder
  23. Hechos 5:32 Algunos mss. agregan: en Él, o, suyos
  24. Hechos 5:33 Lit., aserrados
  25. Hechos 5:34 O, Sanedrín
  26. Hechos 5:36 Lit., Quien
  27. Hechos 5:36 Lit., obedecían
  28. Hechos 5:37 Lit., obedecían
  29. Hechos 5:38 O, alejaos de
  30. Hechos 5:38 U, obra
  31. Hechos 5:40 Lit., fueron persuadidos por él
  32. Hechos 5:41 O, Sanedrín
  33. Hechos 5:41 Lit., el nombre (por excelencia)
  34. Hechos 5:42 O, en diferentes casas particulares
  35. Hechos 5:42 O, anunciar el evangelio de
  36. Hechos 5:42 I.e., el Mesías

Lying to the Holy Spirit

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (A)But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (B)Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Then Ananias, hearing these words, (C)fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and (D)wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”

She said, “Yes, for so much.”

Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together (E)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 (F)Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 (G)So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Continuing Power in the Church

12 And (H)through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. (I)And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. 13 Yet (J)none of the rest dared join them, (K)but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, (L)that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing (M)sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

17 (N)Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with [a]indignation, 18 (O)and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night (P)an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people (Q)all the words of this life.”

21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. (R)But the high priest and those with him came and called the [b]council together, with all the [c]elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Apostles on Trial Again

22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing [d]outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when [e]the high priest, (S)the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, [f]saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, (T)for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, (U)“Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, (V)and intend to bring this Man’s (W)blood on us!”

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: (X)“We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 (Y)The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by (Z)hanging on a tree. 31 (AA)Him God has exalted to His right hand to be (AB)Prince and (AC)Savior, (AD)to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And (AE)we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit (AF)whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Advice

33 When they heard this, they were (AG)furious[g] and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named (AH)Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, [h]take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, [i]joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 (AI)but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found (AJ)to fight against God.”

40 And they agreed with him, and when they had (AK)called for the apostles (AL)and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, (AM)rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for [j]His name. 42 And daily (AN)in the temple, and in every house, (AO)they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 5:17 jealousy
  2. Acts 5:21 Sanhedrin
  3. Acts 5:21 council of elders or senate
  4. Acts 5:23 NU, M omit outside
  5. Acts 5:24 NU omits the high priest
  6. Acts 5:25 NU, M omit saying
  7. Acts 5:33 cut to the quick
  8. Acts 5:35 be careful
  9. Acts 5:36 followed
  10. Acts 5:41 NU the name; M the name of Jesus

Pretenders of sharing

However, a man named Ananias, along with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. With his wife’s knowledge, he withheld some of the proceeds from the sale. He brought the rest and placed it in the care and under the authority of the apostles. Peter asked, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has influenced you to lie to the Holy Spirit by withholding some of the proceeds from the sale of your land? Wasn’t that property yours to keep? After you sold it, wasn’t the money yours to do with whatever you wanted? What made you think of such a thing? You haven’t lied to other people but to God!” When Ananias heard these words, he dropped dead. Everyone who heard this conversation was terrified. Some young men stood up, wrapped up his body, carried him out, and buried him.

About three hours later, his wife entered, but she didn’t know what had happened to her husband. Peter asked her, “Tell me, did you and your husband receive this price for the field?”

She responded, “Yes, that’s the amount.”

He replied, “How could you scheme with each other to challenge the Lord’s Spirit? Look! The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door. They will carry you out too.” 10 At that very moment, she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men entered and found her dead, they carried her out and buried her with her husband. 11 Trepidation and dread seized the whole church and all who heard what had happened.

Responses to the church

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. They would come together regularly at Solomon’s Porch. 13 No one from outside the church dared to join them, even though the people spoke highly of them. 14 Indeed, more and more believers in the Lord, large numbers of both men and women, were added to the church. 15 As a result, they would even bring the sick out into the main streets and lay them on cots and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow could fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Even large numbers of persons from towns around Jerusalem would gather, bringing the sick and those harassed by unclean spirits. Everyone was healed.

The Jerusalem Council harasses the apostles

17 The high priest, together with his allies, the Sadducees, was overcome with jealousy. 18 They seized the apostles and made a public show of putting them in prison. 19 An angel from the Lord opened the prison doors during the night and led them out. The angel told them, 20 “Go, take your place in the temple, and tell the people everything about this new life.” 21 Early in the morning, they went into the temple as they had been told and began to teach.

When the high priest and his colleagues gathered, they convened the Jerusalem Council, that is, the full assembly of Israel’s elders. They sent word to the prison to have the apostles brought before them. 22 However, the guards didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison locked and well-secured, with guards standing at the doors, but when we opened the doors we found no one inside!” 24 When they received this news, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were baffled and wondered what might be happening. 25 Just then, someone arrived and announced, “Look! The people you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain left with his guards and brought the apostles back. They didn’t use force because they were afraid the people would stone them.

27 The apostles were brought before the council where the high priest confronted them: 28 “In no uncertain terms, we demanded that you not teach in this name. And look at you! You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. And you are determined to hold us responsible for this man’s death.”

29 Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than humans! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God has exalted Jesus to his right side as leader and savior so that he could enable Israel to change its heart and life and to find forgiveness for sins. 32 We are witnesses of such things, as is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When the council members heard this, they became furious and wanted to kill the apostles. 34 One council member, a Pharisee and teacher of the Law named Gamaliel, well-respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be taken outside for a few moments. 35 He said, “Fellow Israelites, consider carefully what you intend to do to these people. 36 Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and some four hundred men joined him. After he was killed, all of his followers scattered, and nothing came of that. 37 Afterward, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and got some people to follow him in a revolt. He was killed too, and all his followers scattered far and wide. 38 Here’s my recommendation in this case: Distance yourselves from these men. Let them go! If their plan or activity is of human origin, it will end in ruin. 39 If it originates with God, you won’t be able to stop them. Instead, you would actually find yourselves fighting God!” The council was convinced by his reasoning. 40 After calling the apostles back, they had them beaten. They ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, then let them go. 41 The apostles left the council rejoicing because they had been regarded as worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the name. 42 Every day they continued to teach and proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Christ, both in the temple and in houses.