Acts 5:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

NIV: With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

NASB: and kept back some of the proceeds for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.

CSB: However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife's knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles' feet.

NLT: He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: 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.

Ananias and Sapphira are two recent converts to the early church in Jerusalem. They're swept up in the communal altruism meant to provide for those who are financially struggling. This likely included a number of new believers from other cities and nations who don't have access to their assets (Acts 4:32–37). Like Barnabas, they sell a piece of property and give the proceeds to the apostles. Their motivation, however, turns out to be less than pure.

"Kept back" is from the Greek root word nosphizō which also means to embezzle. The same term is seen in Titus 2:10, where the ESV renders it as "pilfering." The point, then, is that this married couple is dishonestly representing their gift. The problem isn't that Ananias and Sapphira had to give the church all the proceeds. The sin is in lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3). Apparently, they vowed they would donate all the money and then secretly went back on that oath. Jesus points out that the Mosaic law said, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn" (Matthew 5:33). He goes on to say we shouldn't make oaths to God, anyway; merely do what we say we will (Matthew 5:34–37). Their vow was unnecessary (Acts 5:4), but since they made it, they needed to either keep it or at least be honest about having made a mistake.

More to the point, Ananias and Sapphira seem to want the prestige of charity without the actual cost. Rather than simply admitting that they were giving part of the proceeds, they put on a show of piety.

God doesn't mandate Christians to give away all our possessions. Jesus' often-mentioned challenge to the rich young man was specific to him because despite his love for other people, the man valued his money more than God (Mark 10:17–22). When we give to God's work, we need to give as we decide in our hearts (2 Corinthians 9:7), not to impress others, but in worship to God (Mark 12:41–44).

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.