Acts 5
Complete Jewish Bible
5 But there was a man named Hananyah who, with his wife Shappirah, sold some property 2 and, with his wife’s knowledge, withheld some of the proceeds for himself; although he did bring the rest to the emissaries. 3 Then Kefa said, “Why has the Adversary so filled your heart that you lie to the Ruach HaKodesh and keep back some of the money you received for the land? 4 Before you sold it, the property was yours; and after you sold it, the money was yours to use as you pleased. So what made you decide to do such a thing? You have lied not to human beings but to God!”
5 On hearing these words, Hananyah fell down dead; and everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6 The young men got up, wrapped his body in a shroud, carried him out and buried him.
7 Some three hours later, his wife came in, unaware of what had happened. 8 Kefa challenged her: “Tell me, is it true that you sold the land for such-and-such a price?” “Yes,” she answered, “that is what we were paid for it.” 9 But Kefa came back at her, “Then why did you people plot to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The men who buried your husband are at the door. They will carry you out too!” 10 Instantly she collapsed at his feet and died. The young men entered, found her there dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 As a result of this, great fear came over the whole Messianic community, and indeed over everyone who heard about it.
12 Meanwhile, through the emissaries many signs and miracles continued to be done among the people. United in mind and purpose, the believers met in Shlomo’s Colonnade; 13 and no one else dared to join them. Nevertheless, the people continued to regard them highly; 14 and throngs of believers were added to the Lord, both men and women. 15 They went so far as to bring the sick into the streets and lay them on mattresses and stretchers, so that at least Kefa’s shadow might fall on them as he passed by. 16 Crowds also gathered from the towns around Yerushalayim, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits; and every one of them was healed.
17 But the cohen hagadol and his associates, who were members of the party of the Tz’dukim, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the emissaries and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night, an angel of Adonai opened the doors of the prison, led them out and said, 20 “Go, stand in the Temple court and keep telling the people all about this new life!” 21 After hearing that, they entered the Temple area about dawn and began to teach.
Now the cohen hagadol and his associates came and called a meeting of the Sanhedrin (that is, of Isra’el’s whole assembly of elders) and sent to the jail to have them brought. 22 But the officers who went did not find them in the prison. So they returned and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened it, we found no one inside!” 24 When the captain of the Temple police and the head cohanim heard these things, they were puzzled and wondered what would happen next.
25 Then someone came and reported to them, “Listen! The men you ordered put in prison are standing in the Temple court, teaching the people!” 26 The captain and his officers went and brought them, but not with force; because they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 27 They conducted them to the Sanhedrin, where the cohen hagadol demanded of them, 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name! Look here! you have filled Yerushalayim with your teaching; moreover, you are determined to make us responsible for this man’s death!”
29 Kefa and the other emissaries answered, “We must obey God, not men. 30 The God of our fathers[a] raised up Yeshua, whereas you men killed him by having him hanged on a stake.[b] 31 God has exalted this man at his right hand[c] as Ruler and Savior, in order to enable Isra’el to do t’shuvah and have her sins forgiven. 32 We are witnesses to these things; so is the Ruach HaKodesh, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were infuriated and wanted to put the emissaries to death. 34 But one of the members of the Sanhedrin rose to his feet, a Parush named Gamli’el, a teacher of the Torah highly respected by all the people. He ordered the men put outside for a little while 35 and then addressed the court: “Men of Isra’el, take care what you do to these people. 36 Some time ago, there was a rebellion under Todah, who claimed to be somebody special; and a number of men, maybe four hundred, rallied behind him. But upon his being put to death, his whole following was broken up and came to nothing. 37 After this, Y’hudah HaG’lili led another uprising, back at the time of the enrollment for the Roman tax; and he got some people to defect to him. But he was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, my advice to you is not to interfere with these people, but to leave them alone. For if this idea or this movement has a human origin, it will collapse. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them; you might even find yourselves fighting God!”
They heeded his advice. 40 After summoning the emissaries and flogging them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Yeshua, and let them go. 41 The emissaries left the Sanhedrin overjoyed at having been considered worthy of suffering disgrace on account of him. 42 And not for a single day, either in the Temple court or in private homes, did they stop teaching and proclaiming the Good News that Yeshua is the Messiah.
Acts 5
New American Standard Bible
Fate of Ananias and Sapphira
5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and (A)kept back some of the [a]proceeds for himself, with his wife’s [b]full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he (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 to (E)keep back some of the [c]proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not [d]under your control? Why is it that you have [e]conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but (F)to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias (G)collapsed and [f]died; and (H)great fear came over all who heard about it. 6 The young men got up and (I)covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now an interval of about three hours elapsed, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land (J)for [g]this price?” And she said, “Yes, for [h]that price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to (K)put (L)the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she (M)collapsed at his feet and [i]died; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And (N)great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard about these things.
12 [j]At the hands of the apostles many [k](O)signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all [l]together in (P)Solomon’s [m]portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, (Q)the people held them in high esteem. 14 And increasingly (R)believers in the Lord, large numbers of men and women, were being (S)added to their number, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by (T)at least his shadow might fall on any of them. 16 The [n]people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together as well, bringing people who were sick [o]or tormented with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
Imprisonment and Release
17 But the high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is (U)the sect of (V)the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and (W)put them in a public prison. 19 But during the night (X)an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and leading them out, he said, 20 “Go, stand and [p]speak to the people in the temple area [q](Y)the whole message of this Life.” 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple area (Z)about daybreak and began to teach.
Now when (AA)the high priest and his associates came, they called (AB)the [r]Council together, that is, all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison for them to be brought. 22 But (AC)the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported, 23 saying, “We found the prison locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 Now when (AD)the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what [s]would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple area and teaching the people!” 26 Then (AE)the captain went along with (AF)the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for (AG)they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).
27 When they had brought them, they had them stand [t]before (AH)the Council. The high priest interrogated them, 28 saying, “We gave you (AI)strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and [u]yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and (AJ)intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “(AK)We must obey God rather than men. 30 (AL)The God of our fathers (AM)raised up Jesus, whom you (AN)put to death by hanging Him on [v](AO)a cross. 31 (AP)He is the One whom God exalted [w]to His right hand as a [x](AQ)Prince and a (AR)Savior, to grant (AS)repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are (AT)witnesses [y]of these things; and (AU)so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Gamaliel’s Counsel
33 But when they heard this, they became (AV)infuriated and nearly decided to execute them. 34 But a Pharisee named (AW)Gamaliel, a (AX)teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in (AY)the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men. 36 For, some time ago Theudas appeared, (AZ)claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. [z]But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of (BA)the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or [aa]movement (BB)is men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found (BC)fighting against God.”
40 They followed his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they (BD)flogged them and ordered them not to [ab]speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the [ac](BE)Council, (BF)rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame (BG)for His name. 42 (BH)And every day, in the temple and [ad]from house to house, they did not stop teaching and (BI)preaching the good news of Jesus as the [ae]Christ.
Footnotes
- Acts 5:2 Lit price
- Acts 5:2 Or collusion
- Acts 5:3 Lit price
- Acts 5:4 Or in your authority
- Acts 5:4 Lit placed
- Acts 5:5 Lit expired
- Acts 5:8 Lit so much
- Acts 5:8 Lit so much
- Acts 5:10 Lit expired
- Acts 5:12 Lit Through
- Acts 5:12 I.e., confirming miracles
- Acts 5:12 Or of one mind
- Acts 5:12 Or colonnade
- Acts 5:16 Lit multitude
- Acts 5:16 Lit and
- Acts 5:20 Or continue to speak
- Acts 5:20 Lit all the words
- Acts 5:21 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 5:24 Lit this would become
- Acts 5:27 Lit among
- Acts 5:28 Lit behold
- Acts 5:30 Lit wood; see Deut 21:23
- Acts 5:31 Or by
- Acts 5:31 Or Leader
- Acts 5:32 One early ms adds in Him
- Acts 5:36 Lit Who was killed
- Acts 5:38 Lit work
- Acts 5:40 Lit be speaking
- Acts 5:41 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 5:42 Or in the various private homes
- Acts 5:42 I.e., Messiah
Acts 5
Wycliffe Bible
5 But a man [Forsooth some man], Ananias by name, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a field,
2 and defrauded of the price of the field; and his wife was witting. And he brought a part [And he brought some part], and laid [it] before the feet of the apostles.
3 And Peter said to him, Ananias, why hath Satan tempted thine heart, that thou lie to the Holy Ghost [Forsooth Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan tempted thine heart, thee to lie to the Holy Ghost], and to defraud of the price of the field?
4 Whether it unsold was not thine; and when it was sold, it was in thy power? Why hast thou put this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.
5 Ananias heard these words, and felled down, and was dead [Forsooth Ananias hearing these words, felled down and died]. And great dread was made on all that heard.
6 And young men rose [rised], and moved him away, and bare him out, and buried.
7 And there was made a space of three hours, and his wife knew not that thing that was done, and entered. [Forsooth there was made as the space of three hours, and the wife of him not knowing that thing that was done, entered in.]
8 And Peter answered to her, Woman, say to me, whether ye sold the field for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 And Peter said to her, What befelled to you [What soothly came together to you, or accorded], to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Lo! the feet of them that have buried thine husband be at the door, and they shall bear thee out.
10 At once [Anon] she felled down at his feet, and died. And the young men entered, and found her dead, and they bare her out, and buried [her] to her husband.
11 And great dread was made in all the church, and into all that heard these things.
12 And by the hands of the apostles signs and many wonders were made in the people. And all were of one accord in the porch of Solomon.
13 But no man of others durst join himself with them, but the people magnified them.
14 And the multitude of men and of women believing in the Lord was more increased,
15 so that they brought out sick men into streets, and laid in little beds and couches, that when Peter came, namely the shadow of him should shadow each of them, and they should be delivered from their sicknesses [that Peter coming, namely the shadow of him should shadow each of them, and they were delivered from all sicknesses].
16 And the multitude of cities nigh to Jerusalem ran, bringing sick men, and that were travailed of unclean spirits, which all were healed.
17 But the prince of priests rose up, and all that were with him, that is the heresy of Sadducees, and were filled with envy;
18 and they laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common ward [and put them in common keeping].
19 But the angel of the Lord opened by night the gates of the prison [Forsooth the angel of the Lord by night opened the gates of the prison], and led them out, and said,
20 Go ye, and stand ye, and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 Whom when they had heard, they entered early into the temple, and taught. And the prince of priests came, and they that were with him, and called together the council, and all the elder men of the children of Israel; and sent to the prison, that they should be brought forth.
22 And when the ministers came, and found them not, and for the prison was opened [Soothly when the ministers came, and, the prison opened, found them not], they turned again, and told,
23 and said [saying], [Forsooth] We found the prison shut with all diligence, and the keepers standing at the gates; but we opened, and found no man therein.
24 And as the magistrates of the temple, and the princes of priests heard these words, they doubted of them, what was done [what should be done].
25 But a man came, and told to them, For lo! those men which ye have put into prison, be in the temple, and stand, and teach the people[a].
26 Then the magistrate went with the ministers, and brought them without violence; for they dreaded the people, lest they should be stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them in the council; and the prince of priests asked them,
28 and said, In commandment we commanded you [saying, In commanding we commanded you], that ye should not teach in this name, and lo! ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and ye will bring on us the blood of this man.
29 And Peter answered, and the apostles, and said, It behooveth to obey to God, more than to men.
30 [The] God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging in a tree.
31 God enhanced with his right hand this prince and Saviour, that penance were given to Israel [for to give penance to Israel], and remission of sins.
32 And we be witnesses of these words, and the Holy Ghost, whom God gave to all obeying to him.
33 When they heard these things, they were tormented, and thought to slay them.
34 But a man rose in the council, a Pharisee, Gamaliel by name, a doctor of the law, an honourable man to all the people [a worshipful man to all the people], and commanded the men to be put withoutforth for a while [to a short time].
35 And he said to them, Ye men of Israel, take attention to yourselves on these men, what ye shall do.
36 For before these days Theudas, that said himself to be some man [For before these days Theudas was, saying himself to be some man], to whom a number of men consented, about four hundred; which was slain, and all that believed to him [and all whoever believed to him], were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this, Judas of Galilee was in the days of profession, and turned away the people after him; and all how many ever consented to him, were scattered, and he perished.
38 And now therefore I say to you, depart ye from these men, and suffer ye them; for if this counsel either work [or work] is of men, it shall be undone;
39 but if it is of God, ye be not able to undo them, lest peradventure ye be found to repugn against God. [forsooth if it is of God, ye be not able to undo them, lest peradventure and ye be found for to repugn God.]
40 And they consented to him; and they called together the apostles, and commanded to them [and announced to them], that were beaten, that they should no more speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go [and they left them].
41 And they went joying from the sight of the council, that they were had worthy to suffer despising for the name of Jesus.
42 But each day they ceased not in the temple, and about houses, to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Footnotes
- Acts 5:25 For lo! the men whom ye have put in prison, be in the temple, standing, and teaching the people
Acts 5
King James Version
5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 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.
3 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?
4 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.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 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.
Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
2001 by Terence P. Noble