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In this lesson:
The tragic story of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11). Re-read Acts 4:32-37 for full context. Study Tip: Write down important Bible verses, memorize them, ponder their meaning, and apply them to your life. |
Ananias' death after lying to God.
By an unknown artist. |
The Acts of the Apostles
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Acts 5:1-11
The story of Ananias and Sapphira 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 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. 3 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? 4 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. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 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. |
Margin notes:
"Sold a possession ." (5:1) - "Sold a piece of property." "Kept back part of the price."(5:2) - "Kept part of the profit." "His wife also being privy to it." (5:2) - "His wife was also aware of it." "Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost." (5:3) - Just as he convinced Judas to betray Jesus (Luke 22:3; John 13:2). "After it was sold, was it not in thine own power?" (5:4) - "After the property was sold, wasn't it your choice what to do with the money?" "Gave up the ghost." (5:5) - "Died." "Ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?" (5:9) - "Together you agreed to test God." Never tempt God (1 Corinthians 10:9). "Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost." (5:10) - "Then she immediately fell down at Peter's feet and died." |
New Living Translation
Acts 5:1-11
Ananias and Sapphira
1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.
2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife's consent, he kept the rest.
3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.
4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren't lying to us but to God!"
5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified.
6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 Peter asked her, "Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?"
"Yes," she replied, "that was the price."
9 And Peter said, "How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too."
10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Ananias and Sapphira
1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.
2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife's consent, he kept the rest.
3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.
4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren't lying to us but to God!"
5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified.
6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 Peter asked her, "Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?"
"Yes," she replied, "that was the price."
9 And Peter said, "How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too."
10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"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." (5:1-2)
"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." (5:4-5)
"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." (5:4-5)
Today's Question:
1. Were Ananias and Sapphira punished for lying to Peter?
Our physical birth - In the image of God.
Our spiritual birth - In the image of Jesus.
1. Were Ananias and Sapphira punished for lying to Peter?
Our physical birth - In the image of God.
Our spiritual birth - In the image of Jesus.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Ananias and Sapphira were not punished for lying to Peter; they were punished for lying to God (5:3). They did not have to sell their property; they did it by choice (5:4). Likewise, it was their decision how much (if any) money to give to the church (5:4). So far so good, but by claiming to donate all the profits from the sale of their property, Ananias and Sapphira tried to make themselves look more charitable and pious than others. This turmoil happened when the church was young, struggling, and tension was growing with non-believers. Dishonesty, hypocrisy, and false airs created dissension in the church and made it more vulnerable to its enemies. By lying, Ananias and Sapphira were seeking praise, and that destroyed their testimony for Christ. Perhaps they foolishly thought that Barnabas, who also sold property but donated the entire amount to the church (Acts 4:36-37), would outshine them.
Additional note: "Their death was an act of God, not of Peter: evidently intended to be an example for all time of God's displeasure at the sin of covetousness and religious hypocrisy. God does not strike us dead every time we are guilty of it. If He did, people would be falling down dead in the churches all the time. But the incident indicates God's attitude toward a wrong heart; a warning, right in the beginning days of the church, against using, or misusing, the church as a means of self-glorification."
("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 565)
Application thought for the day:
What type of judge do you think God Is?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke