Acts 5:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

NIV: Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.

NASB: But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

CSB: But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.

NLT: But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.

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

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

The church has grown to over five thousand members, many of them still in Jerusalem (Acts 4:4). The first members are from Galilee (Acts 1:13–15) and the second, larger batch are from as far away as Rome, Alexandria, and Mesopotamia (Acts 2:9–11). Many didn't expect to stay long in Jerusalem; those who live there share their possessions and even sell land and homes to support those who are struggling (Acts 2:44–45; 4:32–37).

The Bible doesn't give specifics about Ananias and Sapphira. This is not the Ananias who helps Saul repent and find forgiveness in Jesus (Acts 9:10–19). Nor is it the high priest Annas (Acts 4:6) or the high priest Ananias (Acts 23:2) or the paralytic Aeneas (Acts 9:32–33). We just are only told that Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold some land and appear to be active members of the church. Their motivation for doing so, however, proves their motives are at least partially insincere.

"Property" doesn't necessarily mean land. The Greek means anything that can be possessed, such as houses and furniture. However, Peter later identifies the property as land (Acts 5:3). The account of Ananias and Sapphira comes right after a short comment about Barnabas, another church member who sold land and gave the proceeds to the apostles (Acts 4:36–37). But while Ananias and Sapphira's story ends here, Barnabas the encourager becomes an essential part of the spread of the gospel. He acts as a liaison between the church in Jerusalem and Saul, the convert who had persecuted the Jesus-followers (Acts 9:26–30), and he invites Saul into ministry in Syrian Antioch (Acts 11:25–26). Barnabas is generous not just with his money but with his heart, something Ananias and Sapphira lack.

Acts 5:1–11 contains the unfortunate story of Ananias and Sapphira. While the story of Peter and John's arrest by the Sadducees shows the beginning of problems outside the church (Acts 4), the account of Ananias and Sapphira reveals issues inside the church. As people listen to the witness of the apostles and come to a saving faith in Jesus, they donate what they have so that everyone in the church has what they need (Acts 4:32–37). Ananias and Sapphira want to join the wave of altruism, but not completely. God loves generosity, but not shallow performances which attempts to make a fool of Him and His people.

The apostles continue to make hard decisions in the name of Jesus, both inside and outside the church. When Ananias and Sapphira lie to God, the Holy Spirit inspires Peter to pronounce God's judgment on them, protecting the church from the love of the world. Despite the Sanhedrin's watchful eye—and direct orders (Acts 4:17–18)—the apostles continue to preach and heal openly. The guards arrest the apostles, but the Sanhedrin settles for beating them instead of capital punishment. The apostles consider it an honor to suffer on behalf of their Savior.

In Acts 5, persecution from unbelievers begins to accelerate. The Sanhedrin has become aware the apostles teach that Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 4). Now, they start to push back in earnest, arresting and beating the apostles. Soon, a mob will kill Stephen, a deacon (Acts 7:54–60), and the Sanhedrin will empower Saul to run down and arrest any Jesus-follower he can find (Acts 8:1–3). The apostles will stay in Jerusalem. Other Jesus-followers will carry His offer of forgiveness and reconciliation with God into the Roman Empire and beyond. The apostles' faithfulness and submission to the Holy Spirit is why we have the gospel message today.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.