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

1-2 But a man named Ananias—his wife, Sapphira, conniving in this with him—sold a piece of land, secretly kept part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the apostles and made an offering of it.

3-4 Peter said, “Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to God.”

5-6 Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. That put the fear of God into everyone who heard of it. The younger men went right to work and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him.

7-8 Not more than three hours later, his wife, knowing nothing of what had happened, came in. Peter said, “Tell me, were you given this price for your field?”

“Yes,” she said, “that price.”

9-10 Peter responded, “What’s going on here that you connived to conspire against the Spirit of the Master? The men who buried your husband are at the door, and you’re next.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than she also fell down, dead. When the young men returned they found her body. They carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

11 By this time the whole church and, in fact, everyone who heard of these things had a healthy respect for God. They knew God was not to be trifled with.

They All Met Regularly

12-16 Through the work of the apostles, many God-signs were set up among the people, many wonderful things done. They all met regularly and in remarkable harmony on the Temple porch named after Solomon. But even though people admired them a lot, outsiders were wary about joining them. On the other hand, those who put their trust in the Master were added right and left, men and women both. They even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on stretchers and bedrolls, hoping they would be touched by Peter’s shadow when he walked by. They came from the villages surrounding Jerusalem, throngs of them, bringing the sick and bedeviled. And they all were healed.

To Obey God Rather than Men

17-20 Provoked mightily by all this, the Chief Priest and those on his side, mainly the sect of Sadducees, went into action, arrested the apostles and put them in the town jail. But during the night an angel of God opened the jailhouse door and led them out. He said, “Go to the Temple and take your stand. Tell the people everything there is to say about this Life.”

Promptly obedient, they entered the Temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching.

21-23 Meanwhile, the Chief Priest and his cronies convened the High Council, Israel’s senate, and sent to the jail to have the prisoners brought in. When the police got there, they couldn’t find them anywhere in the jail. They went back and reported, “We found the jail locked tight as a drum and the guards posted at the doors, but when we went inside we didn’t find a soul.”

24 The chief of the Temple police and the high priests were puzzled. “What’s going on here anyway?”

25-26 Just then someone showed up and said, “Did you know that the men you put in jail are back in the Temple teaching the people?” The chief and his police went and got them, but they handled them gently, fearful that the people would riot and turn on them.

27-28 Bringing them back, they stood them before the High Council. The Chief Priest said, “Didn’t we give you strict orders not to teach in Jesus’ name? And here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are trying your best to blame us for the death of this man.”

29-32 Peter and the apostles answered, “It’s necessary to obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, the One you killed by hanging him on a cross. God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven. And we are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, corroborates every detail.”

33-37 When they heard that, they were furious and wanted to kill them on the spot. But one of the council members stood up, a Pharisee by the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of God’s Law who was honored by everyone. He ordered the men taken out of the room for a short time, then said, “Fellow Israelites, be careful what you do to these men. Not long ago Theudas made something of a splash, claiming to be somebody, and got about four hundred men to join him. He was killed, his followers dispersed, and nothing came of it. A little later, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and acquired a following. He also fizzled out and the people following him were scattered to the four winds.

38-39 “So I am telling you: Hands off these men! Let them alone. If this program or this work is merely human, it will fall apart, but if it is of God, there is nothing you can do about it—and you better not be found fighting against God!”

40-42 That convinced them. They called the apostles back in. After giving them a thorough whipping, they warned them not to speak in Jesus’ name and sent them off. The apostles went out of the High Council overjoyed because they had been given the honor of being dishonored on account of the Name. Every day they were in the Temple and homes, teaching and preaching Christ Jesus, not letting up for a minute.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,

23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach 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