Sharing among Believers

32 And the [a]congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them [b]claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but (A)all things were common property to them. 33 And (B)with great power the apostles were giving (C)testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses (D)would sell them and bring the [c]proceeds of the sales 35 and (E)lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be (F)distributed to each to the extent that any had need.

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of (G)Cyprian birth, who was also called (H)Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of [d](I)Encouragement), 37 [e]owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and (J)laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Fate of Ananias and Sapphira

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and (K)kept back some of the [f]proceeds for himself, with his wife’s [g]full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he (L)laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (M)Satan filled your heart to lie (N)to the Holy Spirit and to (O)keep back some of the [h]proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not [i]under your control? Why is it that you have [j]conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but (P)to God.” And as he heard these words, Ananias (Q)collapsed and [k]died; and (R)great fear came over all who heard about it. The young men got up and (S)covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

Now an interval of about three hours elapsed, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land (T)for [l]this price?” And she said, “Yes, for [m]that price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to (U)put (V)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 (W)collapsed at his feet and [n]died; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And (X)great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard about these things.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:32 Or community; lit multitude
  2. Acts 4:32 Lit was saying
  3. Acts 4:34 Lit the prices of the things being sold
  4. Acts 4:36 Or Exhortation; or Consolation
  5. Acts 4:37 Lit a tract...belonging to him, he sold...
  6. Acts 5:2 Lit price
  7. Acts 5:2 Or collusion
  8. Acts 5:3 Lit price
  9. Acts 5:4 Or in your authority
  10. Acts 5:4 Lit placed
  11. Acts 5:5 Lit expired
  12. Acts 5:8 Lit so much
  13. Acts 5:8 Lit so much
  14. Acts 5:10 Lit expired

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.(A) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(B) to the resurrection(C) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(D) was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,(E) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(F) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(G)

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(H) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(I)

Ananias and Sapphira

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(J) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(K)

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(L) has so filled your heart(M) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(N) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(O) Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(P) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(Q)

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(R) And great fear(S) seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(T) and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”(U)

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(V) Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.(W) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(X) 11 Great fear(Y) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.