5:1 Now a man named Ananias, together with [emphasizes joint responsibility] his wife Sapphira, also [cf. Barnabas in Acts 4:36-37] sold a piece of property [it is possible they knew about Barnabas’ act; they were motivated to seek praise or recognition for themselves].

5:2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but [unlike Barnabas] brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet [they wanted people to think they were as generous as Barnabas].

5:3 Then Peter said [Peter was more concerned with the heart of the giver than the money], “Ananias, how is it that Satan [the father of lies and deception (Jn. 8:44)] has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit [this was Ananias’ greater sin] and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

5:4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold [members of the church had a right to own personal property; they were not obligated to sell their property]? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal [Ananias did not have to give any of the money to the church; he and his wife could have kept all the proceeds]? What made you think of doing such a thing [they gave some of the money while claiming to have given all of the money; they were trying to appear more generous than they really were]? You have not lied to men but to God [their sin was deceit; this act of deception threatened the unity of the church and was a poor witness to the community].”

Note: Can you recall a time when you gave with an attitude of duplicity? How can we guard against duplicity in our giving and in our lives in general?

5:5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died [Luke does not record cause of death, only that he died under the judgment of God.] And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.

5:6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

5:7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

5:8 Peter asked her [gave her an opportunity to tell the truth], “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

5:9 Peter said to her [Sapphira could have told the truth but confirmed her guilt by continuing the deception], “How could you agree to test [to see how much they could get away with] the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

5:10 At that moment she fell down at his feet [in contrast to those who laid their gifts at the apostles’ feet (cf. Acts 4:35,37)] and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

5:11 [after this display of God’s judgment] Great fear [a deeper reverence for the Lord] seized the whole church [first use of the term “church” (Gr. ekklesia) in Acts] and all who heard about these events.

Note: What would happen if events like these took place in the lives of believers and churches today? How would you respond if such an event happened in your church?

5:12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.

5:13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.

5:14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

5:15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.

5:16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

5:17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.

5:18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

5:19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.

5:20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.”

5:21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.

5:22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported,

5:23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”

5:24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this.

5:25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”

5:26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

5:27 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.

5:28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

5:29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!

5:30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

5:31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

5:32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

5:33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.

5:34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.

5:35 Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.

5:36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

5:37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

5:38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.

5:39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

5:40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

5:42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.