Acts 5

Ananias and Sapphira

¹But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

²and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, then brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

³But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land?

⁴While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”

⁵Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things.

⁶The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him.

⁷About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.

⁸Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” She said, “Yes, for so much.”

⁹But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

¹⁰She fell down immediately at his feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.

¹¹Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.

The Apostles Heal Many

¹²By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

¹³None of the rest dared to join them; however, the people honored them.

¹⁴More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.

¹⁵They even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at least his shadow might overshadow some of them.

¹⁶The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits; and they were all healed.

The Apostles Persecuted

¹⁷But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy

¹⁸and laid hands on the apostles, then put them in public custody.

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

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

²¹When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and taught. But the high priest and those who were with him came and called the council together, with all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

²²But the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported,

²³“We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”

²⁴Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this.

²⁵One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”

²⁶Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.

²⁷When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them,

²⁸saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”

²⁹But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree.

³¹God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.

³²We are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

³³But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were determined to kill them.

³⁴But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while.

³⁵He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do.

³⁶For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. He was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed and came to nothing.

³⁷After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

³⁸Now I tell you, withdraw from these men and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.

³⁹But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”

⁴⁰They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.

⁴²Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.

Previous Acts 4

Next Acts 6

Acts 5 presents a stark contrast between divine judgment and divine power in the early church. The chapter opens with the sobering account of Ananias and Sapphira's deception and subsequent deaths, demonstrating God's holiness and the seriousness of lying to the Holy Spirit. Despite this sobering event, the apostles continue performing miraculous healings that draw multitudes, leading to their arrest by jealous religious authorities who are confounded when an angel miraculously releases them from prison.

Context

Following the unity and generosity described in Acts 4, this chapter shows both the consequences of compromising that unity and the continued growth of the church despite increasing opposition.

Key Themes

Outline

1-11
Ananias and Sapphira's Deception and Death A married couple lies about their donation and dies instantly when confronted by Peter, bringing great fear upon the church.
12-16
Apostolic Signs and Wonders The apostles perform many miraculous healings in Solomon's porch, drawing crowds from surrounding cities seeking healing.
17-26
Arrest and Miraculous Release The Sadducees arrest the apostles out of jealousy, but an angel frees them at night to continue teaching in the temple.
27-42
Trial Before the Sanhedrin The apostles defend their obedience to God over human authority, are beaten despite Gamaliel's counsel, and rejoice in their suffering.

Ananias and Sapphira

5:1–5:11

narrative dialogue solemn

Ananias and Sapphira die after lying to the Holy Spirit about the proceeds from their land sale, demonstrating God's judgment on deception within the church.

person_contrast

Ananias appears in twenty biblical passages typically associated with calling and mission, making his appearance here with Satan, death, and divine judgment strikingly anomalous.

The Apostles Heal Many

5:12–5:16

narrative narration triumphant

The apostles perform many miraculous healings, drawing crowds from around Jerusalem and adding many believers to the church.

person_contrast

Peter's shadow healing the sick represents his only recorded miracle performed without words or touch, contrasting sharply with his typical verbal proclamations of resurrection and authority.

The Apostles Persecuted

5:17–5:42

narrative dialogue defiant

The apostles are imprisoned by religious authorities but miraculously freed by an angel, then boldly declare they must obey God rather than men when brought before the council.

person_contrast

Peter's declaration "We must obey God rather than men" (5:29) introduces the theme of divine authority superseding human authority, which becomes central to Luke's portrayal of early Christian resistance throughout Acts.

Insight Character Study

Ananias appears in twenty biblical passages typically associated with calling and mission, making his appearance here with Satan, death, and divine judgment strikingly anomalous.

Insight Character Study

Peter's shadow healing the sick represents his only recorded miracle performed without words or touch, contrasting sharply with his typical verbal proclamations of resurrection and authority.

Insight Character Study

Cross-References

Connected passages across Scripture

Acts 5:1 3 references

Lexicals 3

Acts 17:34 Lexical

But certain men joined with him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others…

4 shared words

Acts 9:12 Lexical

and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”

Acts 5

Ananias and Sapphira

The Apostles Heal Many

The Apostles Persecuted

Ananias and Sapphira

The Apostles Heal Many

The Apostles Persecuted

Insights

Cross-References

Acts 5:1 3 references

Acts 5:2 4 references

Acts 5:3 5 references

Acts 5:4 1 reference

Acts 5:9 5 references

Acts 5:10 4 references

Acts 5:12 5 references

Acts 5:14 5 references

Acts 5:16 5 references

Acts 5:18 1 reference

Acts 5:19 1 reference

Acts 5:20 3 references

Acts 5:21 5 references

Acts 5:23 5 references

Acts 5:24 1 reference

Acts 5:25 5 references

Acts 5:26 2 references

Acts 5:27 2 references

Acts 5:28 3 references

Acts 5:29 2 references

Acts 5:30 2 references

Acts 5:31 5 references

Acts 5:32 5 references

Acts 5:34 1 reference

Acts 5:35 2 references

Acts 5:36 5 references

Acts 5:37 2 references

Acts 5:40 1 reference

Acts 5:42 5 references

Interlinear

Historical Context

Timeline

Crucifixion