CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Acts 5
Chapter 5 of 28
Chapter Overview
What happens in Acts 5
The chapter contrasts the deception of Ananias and Sapphira, who lie to the Holy Spirit and face immediate judgment, with the continued miraculous ministry of the apostles. After being arrested again, the apostles are miraculously freed from prison by an angel and brought before the council, where Gamaliel's wise counsel prevents their execution.
Scripture
Acts 5
The Deception and Death of Ananias and Sapphira
Study note
Ananias and Sapphira sell property but secretly keep back part of the proceeds while pretending to give the full amount. Peter confronts Ananias, declaring that he has lied not to men but to the Holy Spirit, and Ananias falls dead. Three hours later, Sapphira repeats the lie and suffers the same fate. Great fear falls upon the entire church and all who hear about this, underscoring the holiness God requires in his community.
1 But there was a man named Ananias who, along with his wife Sapphira, sold some property they owned. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 They secretly kept some of the money for themselves -- Sapphira knew all about it. Ananias brought the rest and laid it at the apostles' feet, pretending it was the full amount. 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 Peter said, "Ananias, why did you let Satan take control of your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit by keeping part of the money from the land sale." 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 "Before you sold the land, it was yours. And after you sold it, the money was still yours to do with as you pleased. So why did you cook up this scheme? You did not lie to people -- you lied to God." 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 The moment Ananias heard these words, he dropped to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 Some young men came in, wrapped up his body, carried it outside, and buried him. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 About three hours later, Sapphira arrived. She had no idea what had happened to her husband. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 Peter asked her, "Tell me -- is this the full price you and your husband got for the land?" She answered, "Yes, that is the full price." And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Peter said, "Why did the two of you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen -- the men who buried your husband are right outside the door, and they will carry you out too." 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 Instantly, she collapsed at Peter's feet and died. When the young men came back in, they found her dead. They carried her out and buried her next to her husband. 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 Deep fear swept through the entire church and through everyone else who heard what happened. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Signs, Wonders, and Growing Faith
Study note
The apostles perform many signs and wonders among the people in Solomon's porch. Though outsiders are afraid to join them casually, the people hold them in high regard. Believers continue to be added to the Lord in great numbers, and people even carry the sick into the streets hoping Peter's shadow might fall on them. Crowds from surrounding towns also bring the sick and demon-afflicted, and all are healed.
12 The apostles did many miracles and wonders among the people. All the believers met together at Solomon's Porch. They were completely united. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 No outsider dared to join them, but everyone in the city spoke very well of them. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 More and more people kept putting their faith in the Lord -- huge numbers of both men and women. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 People started carrying the sick into the streets. They laid them on cots and mats. They hoped Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he walked by. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 Large groups also poured in from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing people who were sick or troubled by evil spirits. Every one of them was healed. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
The Apostles Arrested and Freed by an Angel
Study note
Jealous of the apostles' influence, the high priest and the Sadducees arrest them and place them in public prison. During the night, an angel opens the prison doors and commands them to return to the temple to preach. The next morning, the council discovers the empty but securely locked prison and learns the apostles are already teaching in the temple again. They are brought before the council without force.
17 This made the high priest and his allies (the group called the Sadducees) boil with jealousy. Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 They arrested the apostles and locked them up in the public jail. And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But that night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, led them out, and said, But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 "Go stand in the temple and tell the people everything about this new life." Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 They obeyed and went into the temple at dawn to teach. Meanwhile, the high priest and his supporters called a meeting of the full council -- all the top leaders of Israel. They sent officers to the jail to bring the apostles in. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the officers got to the jail, the apostles were not there! They hurried back to report. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
23 "The prison was locked tight and the guards were at their posts," they said. "But when we opened the doors, nobody was inside!" Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 The temple guard captain and the chief priests were completely baffled when they heard this. They had no idea what was going on. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then someone rushed in with news: "The men you locked up are standing in the temple, teaching the people right now!" Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 So the guard captain took his officers and went to get them. But they handled the apostles gently -- they were afraid the crowd would start throwing stones at them if they used force. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
Gamaliel's Counsel
Study note
The high priest accuses the apostles of defying their orders, and Peter declares that they must obey God rather than men. He proclaims the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus as Prince and Savior. The council is furious and wants to kill them, but the respected Pharisee Gamaliel intervenes. He cites the failed movements of Theudas and Judas of Galilee and warns that if this movement is from God, fighting it means fighting against God.
27 They brought the apostles before the council. The high priest demanded an explanation. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 "We gave you strict orders to stop teaching in this name!" he said. "Instead, you have flooded Jerusalem with your teaching. And you are trying to make us responsible for this man's death!" Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Peter and the other apostles answered simply, "We have to obey God, not people." Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 "The God of our ancestors brought Jesus back to life. You killed Jesus by hanging him on a wooden cross." The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 "God raised him up to the highest place of honor at his right side. He made him Prince and Savior so that Israel could turn from sin and be forgiven." Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 "We are eyewitnesses to all of this, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God gives to everyone who obeys him." And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When the council heard this, they were so furious they wanted to kill the apostles then and there. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up. He was a teacher of God's law whom everybody respected. He ordered the apostles to be taken outside for a few minutes. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 Then he spoke to the council: "Fellow Israelites, think carefully before you act against these men." And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 "Remember Theudas? He come claiming to be somebody important. About four hundred men followed him. But he was killed, his followers scattered, and the whole thing fell apart." For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 "After him came Judas of Galilee during the time of the census. He got people to rebel and follow him. But he was also killed, and all his followers went their separate ways." After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 "So here is my advice: leave these men alone and let them go. If what they are doing is just a human idea, it will fall apart on its own." And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 "But if God is behind it, you will never be able to stop them. You might even end up fighting against God himself!" But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
The Apostles Rejoice in Suffering
Study note
The council has the apostles beaten and orders them again not to speak in the name of Jesus. The apostles leave rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ's name. They continue teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ every day in the temple and from house to house.
40 The council took his advice. They called the apostles back in, had them whipped, ordered them again to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and released them. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles walked out of the council celebrating. They were honored that God thought they were worthy to be treated badly for the sake of Jesus. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And they never stopped -- not for a single day. Whether at the temple or in people's homes, they kept teaching and sharing the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Key Themes
Themes in Acts 5
Holiness and integrity before GodThe danger of hypocrisyMiraculous power of the apostlesDivine deliverance from persecutionJoy in suffering for Christ's nameObedience to God above human authority
Apply This Today
Living Acts 5
The story of Ananias and Sapphira warns against pretending to be more devoted than we truly are. God values honesty over impressive appearances. The apostles' joy in suffering reminds us that persecution for following Christ is not a sign of God's absence but can be a mark of faithful obedience. Gamaliel's advice teaches us that what is truly from God cannot be stopped by human opposition.
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Study Acts in Covenant Path
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