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Acts 5:1
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Lying to the Holy Spirit

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.
2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 aBut Peter said, “Ananias, why has bSatan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?  
4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, afell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.  
6 And the young men arose and awrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.  
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together ato test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”  
10 aThen immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.  
11 aSo great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.  

Continuing Power in the Church

12 And athrough the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. bAnd they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.  
13 Yet anone of the rest dared join them, bbut the people esteemed them highly.  
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, athat at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.  
16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing asick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.  

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

17 aThen the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with1 indignation,  
18 aand laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.  
19 But at night aan angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,  
20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people aall the words of this life.”  
21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. aBut the high priest and those with him came and called the1 council together, with all the2 elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.  

Apostles on Trial Again

22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported,
23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing1 outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”  
24 Now when1 the high priest, athe captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.  
25 So one came and told them,1 saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”  
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, afor they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.  
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,
28 saying, a“Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, band intend to bring this Man’s cblood on us!”  
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: a“We ought to obey God rather than men.  
30 aThe God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by bhanging on a tree.  
31 aHim God has exalted to His right hand to be bPrince and cSavior, dto give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  
32 And awe are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit bwhom God has given to those who obey Him.”  

Gamaliel’s Advice

33 When they heard this, they were afurious and plotted to kill them.  
34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named aGamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.  
35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel,1 take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.  
36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred,1 joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.  
37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.
38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;
39 abut if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found bto fight against God.”  
40 And they agreed with him, and when they had acalled for the apostles band beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  
41 So they departed from the presence of the council, arejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for1 His name.  
42 And daily ain the temple, and in every house, bthey did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. 
Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
<< Acts 4:37   Acts 5:2 >>


Acts 5:1

But a certain man - In the previous chapter the historian had given an account of the eminent liberality and sincerity of the mass of early Christians, in being willing to give up their property to provide for the poor, and had mentioned the case of Barnabas as worthy of special attention. In this chapter he proceeds to mention a case, quite as striking, of insincerity, and hypocrisy, and of the just judgment of God on those who were guilty of it. The case is a remarkable instance of the nature of "hypocrisy," and goes to illustrate the art and cunning of the enemy of souls in attempting to corrupt the church, and to pervert the religion of the gospel. Hypocrisy consists in an attempt to "imitate" the people of God, or to assume the "appearance" of religion, in whatever form it may be manifested. In this case religion had been manifested by great self-denial and benevolence. The hypocrisy of Ananias consisted in "attempting" to imitate this in appearance, and to impose in this way on the early Christians and on God.

With Sapphira his wife - With her concurrence or consent. It was a matter of "agreement" between them, Acts 5:2, Acts 5:9.

Sold a possession - The word used here ͂ ktēma does not indicate whether this was "land" or some other property. In Acts 5:3, however, we learn that it was "land" that was sold; and the word here translated "possession" is translated in the Syriac, Arabic, and the Latin Vulgate as "land." The pretence for which this was sold was doubtless to have the appearance of religion. That it was "sold" could be easily known by the Christian society, but it might not be so easily known for "how much" it was sold. Hence, the attempt to impose on the apostles. It is clear that they were not under obligation to sell their property. But, "having" sold it for the purposes of religion, it became their duty, if they professed to devote the avails of it to God, to do it entirely, and without any reservation.




Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Acts 5:1:

John 14:12
Acts 2:44
Acts 2:45
Romans 12:8
1 Corinthians 4:21
1 Corinthians 11:30
1 Corinthians 12:10
1 Corinthians 14:25
Revelation 21:8

 

<< Acts 4:37   Acts 5:2 >>

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