Ananias, Sapphira, and the Cost of Lying to God

The chapter opens with a sale. A man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sells a piece of property. They keep back part of the price, with her full knowledge, and bring only a portion to lay at the apostles' feet. The act looks like the generosity of Barnabas earlier in the narrative, but the heart behind it is different.

Peter does not ask about the amount. He asks about the lie. He says to Ananias that Satan has filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land. Peter points out that while the land remained, it was Ananias's own, and after it was sold, the money was in his power. The sin is not in giving less but in pretending the gift is the whole. The lie is not to men but to God.

Ananias hears these words, falls down, and gives up the ghost. Great fear comes upon all who hear it. Young men arise, wrap him up, carry him out, and bury him. The scene is swift and public. There is no trial, no appeal, no second chance in the narrative. The judgment is immediate.

About three hours later, Sapphira comes in, not knowing what has happened. Peter asks her directly whether they sold the land for a specific amount. She says yes, for that amount. Peter then asks how they agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord. He tells her that the feet of those who buried her husband are at the door, and they will carry her out as well. She falls down immediately at his feet and gives up the ghost. The young men come in, find her dead, carry her out, and bury her beside her husband.

Great fear comes upon the whole church and upon all who hear these things. The narrative does not soften the event or explain it away. It presents the death of Ananias and Sapphira as a direct consequence of their deception, and the response of the community is fear, not theological debate.

After this, the apostles continue to perform many signs and wonders among the people. They are all with one accord in Solomon's porch. The rest of the people do not dare to join them, but the people magnify them. Believers are added to the Lord in multitudes, both men and women. The sick are carried out into the streets and laid on beds and couches so that as Peter comes by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. Multitudes from the cities around Jerusalem bring sick folk and those vexed with unclean spirits, and they are healed every one.

The high priest and the Sadducees rise up, filled with jealousy. They lay hands on the apostles and put them in public prison. But an angel of the Lord opens the prison doors by night, brings them out, and commands them to go stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life. They obey, entering the temple at daybreak and teaching.

The high priest and his associates call the council together and send to the prison to have the apostles brought. The officers find the prison shut securely with the keepers standing at the doors, but when they open it, they find no one inside. They return and report this. The captain of the temple and the chief priests are perplexed about where this will grow. Then someone comes and tells them that the men they put in prison are standing in the temple teaching the people.

The captain goes with the officers and brings the apostles without violence, fearing the people might stone them. They set them before the council. The high priest reminds them of the strict charge not to teach in this name and accuses them of filling Jerusalem with their teaching and intending to bring this man's blood upon them. Peter and the apostles answer plainly: We must obey God rather than men. They declare that the God of their fathers raised up Jesus, whom the council slew by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins. They say they are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.

The council is cut to the heart and wants to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law held in honor by all the people, commands the apostles to be put outside for a little while. He warns the council to take heed what they are about to do. He cites Theudas, who rose up claiming to be somebody, gathered about four hundred men, was slain, and his followers were dispersed and came to nothing. He also cites Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrollment, who drew away people after him, perished, and his followers were scattered. Gamaliel advises them to refrain from these men and let them alone: if this counsel or work is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, they will not be able to overthrow them, lest they be found fighting against God.

The council agrees with Gamaliel. They call the apostles in, beat them, charge them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles depart from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. And every day, in the temple and at home, they do not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.