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

And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

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1 Ananias for his deceit in keeping back part of price,  5 falleth down dead, 10 and likewise Sapphira his wife. 12 Through divers the Apostles’ miracles, 14 the faith is increased. 18 The Apostles that were imprisoned, 19 are delivered by an Angel, 26 and being before the Synod of the Priests, 36 through Gamaliel’s counsel they are kept alive, 40 and beaten: 41 They glorify God.

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

And [b]kept away part of the price, his wife also being of counsel, and brought a certain part, and laid it down at the Apostles’ feet.

Then said Peter, Ananias, why hath Satan [c]filled thine heart, that thou shouldest [d]lie unto the holy Ghost, and keep away part of the price of this possession?

While it remained, appertained it not unto thee? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? how is it that thou hast [e]conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down, and gave up the ghost. Then great fear came on all them that heard these things.

And the young men rose up, and took him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

And it came to pass about the space of three hours after, that his wife came in, ignorant of that which was done.

And Peter said unto her, Tell me, sold ye the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Then Peter said unto her, Why have ye agreed together, to [f]tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thine husband, are at the [g]door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then she fell down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and carried her out, and buried her by her husband.

11 [h]And great fear came on all the Church, and on as many as heard these things.

12 Thus by the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders showed among the people (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

13 And of the other durst no man join himself to them: nevertheless the people [i]magnified them.

14 Also the number of them that believed in the Lord, both of men and women, grew more and more)

15 Insomuch that they brought the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the leastway the shadow of Peter, when he came by, might shadow some of them.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits, who were all healed.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 5:1 Luke showeth by contrary examples, how great a sin hypocrisy is, especially in them which under a false pretence and cloak of zeal would seem to shine and be chief in the Church.
  2. Acts 5:2 Craftily took away.
  3. Acts 5:3 Fully possessed.
  4. Acts 5:3 For when they had appointed that farm or possession for the Church, they stuck not at it to keep away a part of the price, as though they had had to do with men, and not with God, and therefore he saith afterward that they tempted God.
  5. Acts 5:4 Hereby is declared an advised and purposed deceit, and the fault of the man in admitting the devil’s suggestions.
  6. Acts 5:9 Look how oft men do things with an evil conscience; so oft they pronounce sentence against themselves, and as much as in them lieth, provoke God to anger, as of set purpose, minding to try whether he be just and almighty or no.
  7. Acts 5:9 Are at hand.
  8. Acts 5:11 The Lord by his marvelous virtue bridleth some, that they may not hurt the Church: other some he awe and fear: and other some he allureth unto him.
  9. Acts 5:13 Highly praised them.