Acts 5

The Divine Judgment of Ananias and Sapphira

1 But a certain man, Ananias by name, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and he kept back some of the price for himself, and his wife was secretly aware of it. And bringing a portion of it, he placed it at the feet of the apostles. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself some of the price of the piece of land? 4 While it remained yours, did it not remain your own? And when it was sold, was it under your control? Why is it that you have purposed this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.” 5 And while Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all those who heard about it. 6 Then the young men arose, covered him up, and when he was carried out, they buried him.

7 Now it occurred that there was an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had taken place. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to test 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.” 10 And immediately, she fell down at his feet and died. Then when the young men came in, they found her dead, and after they carried her out, they buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard about these things.

The Expansion of the Jerusalem Church

12 Now many signs and wonders were being done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 And none of the rest dared to join them, and the people were holding them in high esteem. 14 And more believers in the Lord were being added, multitudes both of men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and placed them on cots and mats, so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall* on some of them. 16 And the people also were coming together from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted by unclean spirits—who were all being healed.

The Persecution of the Apostles

17 But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and were filled with jealousy. 18 And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, and when he had brought them out, he said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple* and speak to the people all the words of this life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at dawn and began to teach.

Now when the high priest arrived, and those who were with him, they called together the Sanhedrin—even all the body of the elders of the sons of Israel—and sent to the prison to bring them. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported, 23 saying, “We found the prison shut with all security and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”

24 Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were thoroughly perplexed concerning them, as to what this could be. 25 And someone came and reported to them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, not with force, for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned.

27 And when they had brought them, they made them stand in the Sanhedrin. And the high priest interrogated them, 28 saying, “We strictly commanded you not to teach in this name, yet behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring the blood of this man upon us.” 29 But in response, Peter and the apostles said, “It is necessary to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree. 31 This One—God exalted to His right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to the ones who obey Him.”

33 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and were willing to kill them. 34 But someone stood up in the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee, Gamaliel by name, a teacher of the Law held in honour by all the people, and he ordered them to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care to yourselves what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days, Theudas rose up, asserting himself to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who were persuaded* by him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and instigated people to follow him in revolt. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 And now I say to you, withdraw from these men and let them alone, because if this plan or this initiative is from men, it will be overthrown. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found contesting against God!” So they were persuaded by him. 40 And when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and they released them. 41 So they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name.* 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and preaching the gospel that the Christ is Jesus.

Notes

15 Greek overshadow

20 Or outer courts of the temple. So also vv. 21,25

30 Greek laid violent hands upon

36 Greek all as many as were persuaded

41 Two ancient Greek manuscripts read for His Name ; one ancient Greek manuscript reads for the Name of Christ ; three ancient Greek manuscripts read for the Name of Lord Jesus

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