New Testament in a Year

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.