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
New Testament for Everyone
Disaster
5 There was, however, a man named Ananias, married to a woman called Sapphira. He sold some property, 2 and, with his wife’s knowledge, kept back part of the price. He brought the rest and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 “Ananias!” said Peter. “Why did the satan fill your heart, to make you tell a lie to the holy spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 While it was still yours, it belonged to you, didn’t it? And, when you sold it, it was still in your power! Why did you get such an idea in your heart? It isn’t humans that you’ve lied to: it’s God!”
5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. Everyone who heard about it was scared out of their wits. 6 The young men got up, took him away, wrapped up his body and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 Peter spoke to her.
“Tell me,” he said, “did you sell the land for this much?”
“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”
9 “So why,” Peter answered, “did you agree together to put the holy spirit to the test? Look: the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door—and they will carry you out too!”
10 At once she fell down at his feet and died. The young men were just coming in, and they found her dead, so they took her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear came upon the whole gathering, and on all who heard about these things.
Healed by Peter’s shadow
12 Many signs and wonders were performed by the apostles among the people. They were all together in Solomon’s Porch, 13 while none of the others dared join them, though the people spoke highly of them. 14 But more people, a crowd both of men and women, believed in the Lord, and were added to their number. 15 They used to bring the sick into the streets, and place them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on them as he went by. 16 Crowds gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing people who were sick, or infested with unclean spirits. All of them were cured.
The words of this life
17 Then the high priest got up, and all who were with him, namely the group called the Sadducees. They were filled with righteous indignation, 18 and seized the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord came in the night, opened the prison doors, and brought them out.
20 “Go and take your stand in the Temple,” he said, “and speak all the words of this Life to the people.”
21 When they heard this, they went in at early morning and began to teach.
When the high priest arrived with his entourage, they called the official Assembly and all the elders of the children of Israel, and they sent to the prison to have the apostles brought in. 22 But when the attendants went, they didn’t find them in the prison. So they came and reported back.
23 “We found the jail shut up with maximum security,” they said, “and the guards were standing in front of the doors. But when we opened up we found nobody inside.”
24 When they heard these words, the commander of the Temple police and the chief priests were at a loss about them, with no idea what had happened. 25 But then someone came with a message for them.
“Look!” he said. “The men you put in prison are standing in the Temple and teaching the people!”
26 Then the commander went with his attendants and brought them. They didn’t use force, though, because they were afraid that the people might stone them.
Human inventions and divine instructions
27 So they brought them and stood them in the Assembly. The high priest questioned them.
28 “We gave you strict orders, didn’t we?” he demanded. “We told you not to teach in this Name, and look what you’re doing! You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you’re trying to bring this man’s blood on us!”
29 “We must obey God, not human beings!” responded Peter and the apostles. 30 “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, after you had laid violent hands on him and hanged him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his right hand as leader and savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the holy spirit, which God gave to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were infuriated, and wanted to kill them. 34 But then a Pharisee by the name of Gamaliel stood up in the Assembly. He was a law-teacher, highly respected by all the people. He ordered the men to be put outside for a short while.
35 “Men of Israel,” he said to the gathering, “be careful what you do to these men. 36 Before these times Theudas rose up, claiming to be someone special, and about four hundred men went off to join him. But he was killed, and all the people who had trusted him were dispersed. The movement came to nothing. 37 After that, Judas the Galilean arose, in the days of the census, and drew a crowd after himself. But he was killed, and all those who trusted him were scattered. 38 So my advice to you now is this. Leave off from these men; let them be. You see, if this plan or this work is of merely human origin, it will come to ruin. 39 But if it’s from God—well, you won’t be able to stop them. You might even be found to be fighting against God!”
They were persuaded by him, 40 and they called the apostles back in. They beat them and told them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go. 41 They, however, went out from the presence of the Assembly celebrating, because they had been reckoned worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name. 42 And all day, in the Temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah.
Acts 5
New English Translation
The Judgment on Ananias and Sapphira
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property. 2 He[a] kept back for himself part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge; he brought[b] only part of it and placed it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled[c] your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of[d] the land? 4 Before it was sold,[e] did it not[f] belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money[g] not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart?[h] You have not lied to people[i] but to God!”
5 When Ananias heard these words he collapsed and died, and great fear gripped[j] all who heard about it. 6 So the young men came,[k] wrapped him up,[l] carried him out, and buried[m] him. 7 After an interval of about three hours,[n] his wife came in, but she did not know[o] what had happened. 8 Peter said to her, “Tell me, were the two of you[p] paid this amount[q] for the land?” Sapphira[r] said, “Yes, that much.” 9 Peter then told her, “Why have you 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[s] she collapsed at his feet and died. So when the young men came in, they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great[t] fear gripped[u] the whole church[v] and all who heard about these things.
The Apostles Perform Miraculous Signs and Wonders
12 Now many miraculous signs[w] and wonders came about among the people through the hands of the apostles. By[x] common consent[y] they were all meeting together in Solomon’s Portico.[z] 13 None of the rest dared to join them,[aa] but the people held them in high honor.[ab] 14 More and more believers in the Lord were added to their number,[ac] crowds of both men and women. 15 Thus[ad] they even carried the sick out into the streets, and put them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow would fall on some of them. 16 A crowd of people from the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits.[ae] They[af] were all[ag] being healed.
Further Trouble for the Apostles
17 Now the high priest rose up, and all those with him (that is, the religious party of the Sadducees[ah]),[ai] and they were filled with jealousy.[aj] 18 They[ak] laid hands on[al] the apostles and put them in a public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord[am] opened[an] the doors of the prison,[ao] led them out,[ap] and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple courts[aq] and proclaim[ar] to the people all the words of this life.” 21 When they heard this, they entered the temple courts[as] at daybreak and began teaching.[at]
Now when the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin[au]—that is, the whole high council[av] of the Israelites[aw]—and sent to the jail to have the apostles[ax] brought before them.[ay] 22 But the officers[az] who came for them[ba] did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,[bb] 23 “We found the jail locked securely and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them,[bc] we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the commander[bd] of the temple guard[be] and the chief priests heard this report,[bf] they were greatly puzzled concerning it,[bg] wondering what this could[bh] be. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courts[bi] and teaching[bj] the people!” 26 Then the commander[bk] of the temple guard[bl] went with the officers[bm] and brought the apostles[bn] without the use of force[bo] (for they were afraid of being stoned by the people).[bp]
27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the council,[bq] and the high priest questioned[br] them, 28 saying, “We gave[bs] you strict orders[bt] not to teach in this name.[bu] Look,[bv] you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood[bw] on us!” 29 But Peter and the apostles replied,[bx] “We must obey[by] God rather than people.[bz] 30 The God of our forefathers[ca] raised up Jesus, whom you seized and killed by hanging him on a tree.[cb] 31 God exalted him[cc] to his right hand as Leader[cd] and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.[ce] 32 And we are witnesses of these events,[cf] and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey[cg] him.”
33 Now when they heard this, they became furious[ch] and wanted to execute them.[ci] 34 But a Pharisee[cj] whose name was Gamaliel,[ck] a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up[cl] in the council[cm] and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. 35 Then he said to the council,[cn] “Men of Israel,[co] pay close attention to[cp] what you are about to do to these men. 36 For some time ago[cq] Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about 400 men joined him. He[cr] was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and nothing came of it.[cs] 37 After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census,[ct] and incited people to follow him in revolt.[cu] He too was killed, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people,[cv] it will come to nothing,[cw] 39 but if[cx] it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found[cy] fighting against God.” He convinced them,[cz] 40 and they summoned the apostles and had them beaten.[da] Then[db] they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. 41 So they left the council rejoicing because they had been considered worthy[dc] to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.[dd] 42 And every day both in the temple courts[de] and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news[df] that Jesus was the Christ.[dg]
Footnotes
- Acts 5:2 tn Grk “And he.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence and the tendency of contemporary English style to use shorter sentences, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
- Acts 5:2 tn The participle ἐνέγκας (enenkas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
- Acts 5:3 sn This is a good example of the Greek verb fill (πληρόω, plēroō) meaning “to exercise control over someone’s thought and action” (cf. Eph 5:18).
- Acts 5:3 tn The words “from the sale of” are not in the Greek text, but are supplied to clarify the meaning, since the phrase “proceeds from the land” could possibly be understood as crops rather than money from the sale.
- Acts 5:4 tn Grk “Remaining to you.”
- Acts 5:4 tn The negative interrogative particle οὐχί (ouchi) expects a positive reply to this question and the following one (“And when it was sold, was it not at your disposal?”).
- Acts 5:4 tn Grk “it”; the referent of the pronoun (the money generated from the sale of the land) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Acts 5:4 tn Grk “How is it that you have [or Why have you] placed this deed in your heart?” Both of these literal translations differ from the normal way of expressing the thought in English.
- Acts 5:4 tn Grk “to men.” If Peter’s remark refers only to the apostles, the translation “to men” would be appropriate. But if (as is likely) the action was taken to impress the entire congregation (who would presumably have witnessed the donation or been aware of it) then the more general “to people” is more appropriate, since the audience would have included both men and women.
- Acts 5:5 tn Or “fear came on,” “fear seized”; Grk “fear happened to.”
- Acts 5:6 tn Or “arose.”
- Acts 5:6 tn The translation “wrapped up” for συνέστειλαν (sunesteilan) is suggested by L&N 79.119, but another interpretation is possible. The same verb could also be translated “removed” (see L&N 15.200), although that sense appears somewhat redundant and out of sequence with the following verb and participle (“carried him out and buried him”).
- Acts 5:6 sn Buried. Same day burial was a custom in the Jewish world of the first century (cf. also Deut 21:23).
- Acts 5:7 tn Grk “It happened that after an interval of about three hours.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
- Acts 5:7 tn Grk “came in, not knowing.” The participle has been translated with concessive or adversative force: “although she did not know.” In English, the adversative conjunction (“but”) conveys this nuance more smoothly.
- Acts 5:8 tn The words “the two of” are not in the Greek text, but have been supplied to indicate that the verb (ἀπέδοσθε, apedosthe) is plural and thus refers to both Ananias and Sapphira.
- Acts 5:8 tn Grk “so much,” “as much as this.”
- Acts 5:8 tn Grk “She”; the referent (Sapphira) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Acts 5:10 tn Grk “And at once.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
- Acts 5:11 tn Grk “And great.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
- Acts 5:11 tn Or “fear came on,” “fear seized”; Grk “fear happened to.”
- Acts 5:11 sn This is the first occurrence of the term church (ἐκκλησία, ekklēsia) in Acts. It refers to an assembly of people.
- Acts 5:12 tn The miraculous nature of these signs is implied in the context.
- Acts 5:12 tn Grk “And by.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
- Acts 5:12 tn Or “With one mind.”
- Acts 5:12 tn Or “colonnade”; Grk “stoa.”sn Solomon’s Portico was a covered walkway formed by rows of columns supporting a roof and open on the inner side facing the center of the temple complex. Located beside the Court of the Gentiles, it was a very public area.
- Acts 5:13 tn Or “to associate with them.” The group was beginning to have a controversial separate identity. People were cautious about joining them. The next verse suggests that the phrase “none of the rest” in this verse is rhetorical hyperbole.
- Acts 5:13 tn Or “the people thought very highly of them.”
- Acts 5:14 tn Or “More and more believers were added to the Lord.”
- Acts 5:15 tn This is a continuation of the preceding sentence in Greek, but because this would produce an awkward sentence in English, a new sentence was begun here in the translation.
- Acts 5:16 sn Unclean spirits refers to evil spirits.
- Acts 5:16 tn Literally a relative pronoun, “who.” In English, however, a relative clause (“bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits, who were all being healed”) could be understood to refer only to the second group (meaning only those troubled by unclean spirits were being healed) or even that the unclean spirits were being healed. To avoid this ambiguity the pronoun “they” was used to begin a new English sentence.
- Acts 5:16 sn They were all being healed. Note how the healings that the apostles provided were comprehensive in their consistency.
- Acts 5:17 sn See the note on Sadducees in 4:1.
- Acts 5:17 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.
- Acts 5:17 sn Filled with jealousy. In Acts, the term “jealousy” (ζήλος, zēlos) occurs only here and in Acts 13:45. It is a key term in Judaism for religiously motivated rage (1 Macc 2:24; 1QH 14:13-15; m. Sanhedrin 9:5). It was a zeal motivated by a desire to maintain the purity of the faith.
- Acts 5:18 tn Grk “jealousy, and they.” In the Greek text this is a continuation of the previous sentence, but a new sentence has been started here in the translation for stylistic reasons.
- Acts 5:18 tn Or “they arrested.”
- Acts 5:19 tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” Linguistically, “angel of the Lord” is the same in both testaments (and thus, he is either “an angel of the Lord” or “the angel of the Lord” in both testaments). For arguments and implications, see ExSyn 252; M. J. Davidson, “Angels,” DJG, 9; W. G. MacDonald argues for “an angel” in both testaments: “Christology and ‘The Angel of the Lord’,” Current Issues in Biblical and Patristic Interpretation, 324-35.
- Acts 5:19 tn Grk “opening the doors of the prison.” The participle ἀνοίξας (anoixas) has been translated as a finite verb due to the requirements of contemporary English style.
- Acts 5:19 tn Greek φυλακῆς (phulakēs), a different word from the one in v. 18 (τήρησις, tērēsis, “jail”).
- Acts 5:19 tn Or “brought them out.” Grk “and leading them out, said.” The participle ἐξαγαγών (exagagōn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.sn Led them out. The action by God served to vindicate the apostles. It showed that whatever court the Jewish leaders represented, they did not represent God.
- Acts 5:20 tn Grk “the temple.” This is actually a reference to the courts surrounding the temple proper, and has been translated accordingly.
- Acts 5:20 tn Or “speak.”
- Acts 5:21 tn Grk “the temple.” See the note on the same phrase in the preceding verse.
- Acts 5:21 tn The imperfect verb ἐδίδασκον (edidaskon) has been translated as an ingressive imperfect.
- Acts 5:21 tn Or “the council” (the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).
- Acts 5:21 tn A hendiadys (two different terms referring to a single thing) is likely here (a reference to a single legislative body rather than two separate ones) because the term γερουσίαν (gerousian) is used in both 1 Macc 12:6 and Josephus, Ant. 13.5.8 (13.166) to refer to the Sanhedrin.
- Acts 5:21 tn Grk “sons of Israel.”
- Acts 5:21 tn Grk “have them”; the referent (the apostles) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Acts 5:21 tn The words “before them” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
- Acts 5:22 tn The Greek term ὑπηρέτης (hupēretēs) generally means “servant,” but in the NT is used for many different types of servants, like attendants to a king, the officers of the Sanhedrin (as here), assistants to magistrates, and (especially in the Gospel of John) Jewish guards in the Jerusalem temple (see L&N 35.20).
- Acts 5:22 tn The words “for them” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
- Acts 5:22 tn Grk “reported, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in English and has not been translated.
- Acts 5:23 tn The word “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
- Acts 5:24 tn Or “captain.”
- Acts 5:24 tn Grk “the official of the temple,” a title for the commander of the Jewish soldiers guarding the temple (thus the translation, “the commander of the temple guard”). See L&N 37.91.
- Acts 5:24 tn Grk “heard these words.”
- Acts 5:24 tn Grk “concerning them,” agreeing with the plural antecedent “these words.” Since the phrase “these words” was translated as the singular “this report,” the singular “concerning it” is used here.
- Acts 5:24 tn The optative verb here expresses confused uncertainty.
- Acts 5:25 tn Grk “the temple.” This is actually a reference to the courts surrounding the temple proper, and has been translated accordingly.
- Acts 5:25 sn Obeying God (see v. 29), the apostles were teaching again (4:18-20; 5:20). They did so despite the risk.
- Acts 5:26 tn Or “captain.”
- Acts 5:26 tn Grk “the official [of the temple],” a title for the commander of the Jewish soldiers guarding the temple (thus the translation, “the commander of the temple guard”). See L&N 37.91.
- Acts 5:26 tn The Greek term ὑπηρέτης (hupēretēs) generally means “servant,” but in the NT is used for many different types of servants. See the note on the word “officers” in v. 22.
- Acts 5:26 tn Grk “brought them”; the referent (the apostles) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Acts 5:26 tn Or “without violence.” It is clear, as well, that the apostles did not resist arrest.
- Acts 5:26 tn Grk “for they feared lest they be stoned by the people.” The translation uses a less awkward English equivalent. This is an explanatory note by the author.
- Acts 5:27 tn Or “the Sanhedrin” (the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).
- Acts 5:27 tn Or “interrogated,” “asked.”
- Acts 5:28 tc ‡ The majority of mss, including a few significant witnesses (א2 D E [Ψ] 1739 M sy sa), have the negative particle οὐ (ou) here, effectively turning the high priest’s words into a question: “Did we not give you strict orders not to teach in this name?” But the earliest and most significant mss, along with some others (P74 א* A B 1175 lat bo), lack the particle, making this a strong statement rather than a question. Scribes may have been tempted to omit the particle to strengthen the contrast between official Judaism and the new faith, but the fact that v. 27 introduces the quotation with ἐπηρώτησεν (epērōtēsen, “he questioned”) may well have prompted scribes to add οὐ to convert the rebuke into a question. Further, that excellent witnesses affirm the shorter reading is sufficient ground for accepting it as most probably authentic. NA28 includes the particle in brackets, indicating some doubt as to its authenticity.
- Acts 5:28 tn Grk “We commanded you with a commandment” (a Semitic idiom that is emphatic).
- Acts 5:28 sn The name (i.e., person) of Jesus is the constant issue of debate.
- Acts 5:28 tn Grk “And behold.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence and the tendency of contemporary English style to use shorter sentences, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
- Acts 5:28 sn To bring this man’s blood on us is an idiom meaning “you intend to make us guilty of this man’s death.”
- Acts 5:29 tn Grk “apostles answered and said.”
- Acts 5:29 sn Obey. See 4:19. This response has Jewish roots (Dan 3:16-18; 2 Macc 7:2; Josephus, Ant. 17.6.3 [17.159]).
- Acts 5:29 tn Here ἀνθρώποις (anthrōpois) has been translated as a generic noun (“people”).
- Acts 5:30 tn Or “ancestors”; Grk “fathers.”
- Acts 5:30 tn Or “by crucifying him” (“hang on a tree” is by the time of the first century an idiom for crucifixion). The allusion is to the judgment against Jesus as a rebellious figure, appealing to the language of Deut 21:23. The Jewish leadership has badly “misjudged” Jesus.
- Acts 5:31 tn Grk “This one God exalted” (emphatic).
- Acts 5:31 tn Or “Founder” (of a movement).
- Acts 5:31 tn Or “to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.”
- Acts 5:32 tn Or “things.” They are preaching these things even to the hostile leadership.
- Acts 5:32 sn Those who obey. The implication, of course, is that the leadership is disobeying God.
- Acts 5:33 sn The only other use of this verb for anger (furious) is Acts 7:54 after Stephen’s speech.
- Acts 5:33 sn Wanted to execute them. The charge would surely be capital insubordination (Exod 22:28).
- Acts 5:34 sn A Pharisee was a member of one of the most important and influential religious and political parties of Judaism in the time of Jesus. There were more Pharisees than Sadducees (according to Josephus, Ant. 17.2.4 [17.42] there were more than 6,000 Pharisees at about this time). Pharisees differed with Sadducees on certain doctrines and patterns of behavior. The Pharisees were strict and zealous adherents to the laws of the OT and to numerous additional traditions such as angels and bodily resurrection.
- Acts 5:34 sn Gamaliel was a famous Jewish scholar and teacher mentioned here in v. 34 and in Acts 22:3. He had a grandson of the same name and is referred to as “Gamaliel the Elder” to avoid confusion. He is quoted a number of times in the Mishnah, was given the highest possible title for Jewish teachers, Rabba (cf. John 20:16), and was highly regarded in later rabbinic tradition.
- Acts 5:34 tn Grk “standing up in the council, ordered.” The participle ἀναστάς (anastas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
- Acts 5:34 tn Or “the Sanhedrin” (the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).
- Acts 5:35 tn Grk “said to them”; the referent (the council) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Acts 5:35 tn Or “Israelite men,” although this is less natural English. The Greek term here is ἀνήρ (anēr), which only exceptionally is used in a generic sense of both males and females. In this context, it is highly unlikely that this is a generic usage, since Gamaliel was addressing the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council, which would have been exclusively male.
- Acts 5:35 tn Or “men, be careful.”
- Acts 5:36 tn Grk “For before these days.”
- Acts 5:36 tn Grk “who.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “he,” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point.
- Acts 5:36 tn Grk “and they came to nothing.” Gamaliel’s argument is that these two insurrectionists were taken care of by natural events.
- Acts 5:37 tn Or “registration.”
- Acts 5:37 tn The verb ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi) as a transitive means “cause to revolt” as used in Josephus, Ant. 8.7.5 (8.198), 20.5.2 (20.102); see BDAG 157 s.v. 1.
- Acts 5:38 tn Here ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) has been translated as a generic noun (“people”).
- Acts 5:38 tn Or “it will be put to an end.”
- Acts 5:39 tn This is expressed in a first class condition, in contrast to the condition in v. 38b, which is third class. As such, v. 39 is rhetorically presented as the more likely option.
- Acts 5:39 tn According to L&N 39.32, the verb εὑρεθῆτε (heurethēte, an aorist passive subjunctive) may also be translated “find yourselves”—“lest you find yourselves fighting against God.” The Jewish leader Gamaliel is shown contemplating the other possible alternative about what is occurring.
- Acts 5:39 tn Grk “They were convinced by him.” This passive construction was converted to an active one (“He convinced them”) in keeping with contemporary English style. The phrase “He convinced them” is traditionally placed in Acts 5:40 by most English translations; the standard Greek critical text (represented by NA28 and UBS5) places it at the end of v. 39.
- Acts 5:40 sn Had them beaten. The punishment was the “forty lashes minus one,” see also Acts 22:19; 2 Cor 11:24; Mark 13:9. The apostles had disobeyed the religious authorities and took their punishment for their “disobedience” (Deut 25:2-3; m. Makkot 3:10-14). In Acts 4:18 they were warned. Now they are beaten. The hostility is rising as the narrative unfolds.
- Acts 5:40 tn The word “Then” is supplied as the beginning of a new sentence in the translation. The construction in Greek has so many clauses (most of them made up of participles) that a continuous English sentence would be very awkward.
- Acts 5:41 sn That is, considered worthy by God. They “gloried in their shame” of honoring Jesus with their testimony (Luke 6:22-23; 2 Macc 6:30).
- Acts 5:41 sn The name refers to the name of Jesus (cf. 3 John 7).
- Acts 5:42 tn Grk “temple.” This is actually a reference to the courts surrounding the temple proper and has been translated accordingly.
- Acts 5:42 tn Grk “teaching and evangelizing.” They were still obeying God, not men (see 4:18-20; 5:29).
- Acts 5:42 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”sn See the note on Christ in 2:31.
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