‏ Acts 5

The Case of Ananias and Sapphira

This passage tells the story of Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple in the early church who pretended to give all the money from selling their land, but secretly kept back part of it. Their story is a warning about hypocrisy and lying to God within the church. While many early Christians were generous and honest, Ananias and Sapphira acted differently, and God showed that he will not allow such deceit among his people.

v. 1–2: Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property. But instead of giving all the money to the apostles, as others had done, Ananias kept back part of the money for himself, with his wife’s knowledge. Then he brought only a part of the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet, pretending it was the full amount (Acts 5:1–2 ^a). Their main sin was pretending to be more generous than they really were, trying to look good in front of others while lying to the church and to God.

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v. 3–4: Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, confronted Ananias. He asked why Ananias had allowed Satan to fill his heart and lie to the Holy Spirit. Peter made it clear that Ananias was not forced to give all the money—he could have kept some or all of it if he wanted. The real problem was pretending to give it all and lying about it. Peter said, “You have not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:3–4 ^b). Lying to the church is lying to the Holy Spirit, and God takes that seriously.

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v. 5–6: When Ananias heard Peter’s words, he fell down and died immediately. Everyone who heard about it was filled with great fear. Some young men came, wrapped up his body, carried him out, and buried him (Acts 5:5–6 ^c). This was a sign that God would judge sin even inside the church, especially hypocrisy and lying to God.

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v. 7–9: About three hours later, Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her if the amount of money they gave was the full price for the land. She said it was. Peter told her that she and her husband had agreed to test the Spirit of the Lord. He warned her that the men who buried her husband would also carry her out. This showed that she was just as guilty as her husband because she agreed to the lie (Acts 5:7–9 ^d).

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v. 10–11: Immediately, Sapphira fell down at Peter’s feet and died. The young men came in, found her dead, and carried her out to be buried beside her husband. Great fear came upon the whole church and everyone else who heard about these events (Acts 5:10–11 ^e). This story made everyone realize the seriousness of lying to God and pretending to be something they were not.

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The Progress of the Gospel

This passage shows how the gospel continued to grow, even after the severe judgment on Ananias and Sapphira. God’s power was seen in miracles, and the believers grew stronger as a community. The apostles became even more respected, and many people joined the church. God used signs and wonders to confirm the truth of the message and care for the people.

v. 12: The apostles did many signs and wonders among the people. These miracles were a sign of God’s presence and power. Most of them were miracles of mercy and healing, showing that God’s main purpose was to save and help, not just to judge. The miracles were public and seen by many, so nobody could say they were fake. This proved that the apostles were truly sent by God.

v. 13: The believers met together in Solomon’s porch, a large open area in the temple. They were united and encouraged each other. Even after the judgment on the hypocrites, there was no complaining or division among the true believers. The removal of false believers made the church even more united and strong (Numbers 16:41 ^f).

The apostles were highly respected. Other church leaders did not try to join them as equals, because the apostles had a special authority and power from God. All the people honored the apostles, even though the religious leaders tried to make them look bad. The apostles gave all the glory to Jesus, but still the people saw them as God’s chosen messengers.

v. 14: The church continued to grow. Many men and women believed in Jesus and joined the church. Even the punishment of Ananias and Sapphira did not scare people away. Instead, it showed that God was truly with the church and made more people want to join. Both men and women were welcomed, which was special, because women had not always been included in important parts of Jewish worship.

v. 15–16: People brought their sick into the streets, hoping even Peter’s shadow might heal them. The apostles were so busy that people brought their loved ones out where the apostles would pass by. Many people from other towns also came to Jerusalem, bringing those who were sick or troubled by evil spirits. All of them were healed. These miracles showed everyone that Jesus was still working through the apostles, blessing both bodies and minds (Acts 19:12 ^g).

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The Apostles Imprisoned and Released by an Angel

The apostles were having great success in teaching and healing people in Jerusalem, which led to jealousy and opposition from the religious leaders. This section shows how the high priest and Sadducees tried to stop the apostles by putting them in prison, but God intervened through an angel to release them. Despite opposition, the apostles continued to preach about Jesus, showing their courage and the power of God to deliver and encourage his servants.

v. 17–18: The high priest and his group, the Sadducees, became extremely jealous of the apostles because so many people were listening to them and being healed. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison, hoping to stop their work and discourage others from following them (Acts 5:17–18 ^h). The Sadducees especially opposed the apostles because they taught about the resurrection, which the Sadducees denied.

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v. 19: But during the night, an angel of the Lord came, opened the doors of the prison, and brought the apostles out. The angel told them to go and continue teaching the people in the temple (Acts 5:19–20 ⁱ). This miracle showed that God was with the apostles and was more powerful than the religious leaders or any prison.

v. 20: The angel commanded them, “Go, stand in the temple and tell the people all about this new life.” The apostles were told not to hide but to preach boldly about Jesus and eternal life in the most public place, the temple. They were to speak everything God had shown them, without leaving anything out.

v. 21: The apostles obeyed immediately. At daybreak, they entered the temple courts and began to teach the people. Meanwhile, the high priest and his associates called together the Sanhedrin (the full council of Israel's elders) and sent to the jail for the apostles, not knowing they had already been freed (Acts 5:21 ^j).

v. 22–23: When the officers went to the jail, they did not find the apostles there. They reported that the prison was locked, and the guards were standing at the doors, but when they opened them, no one was inside (Acts 5:22–23 ^k). This surprised and confused the leaders, showing God's power to deliver his people in ways no one expects.

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v. 24–25: When the high priest and the captain of the temple heard this, they were puzzled and wondered what would happen next. Then someone came and reported that the men they had put in jail were standing in the temple courts, teaching the people (Acts 5:24–25 ^l). The apostles were not afraid or hiding; they were faithfully doing what God had told them to do, trusting him for their safety and strength.

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The Apostles Brought Before the Council Again

After being miraculously freed from prison by an angel, the apostles returned to the temple to teach the people, as the angel commanded. Soon, the religious leaders discovered they were preaching again and sent officers to bring them back for questioning. In this section, the apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin, questioned about their preaching, and boldly testify about Jesus. We see how God gave them courage, and how the council responded with anger and confusion. God also used the advice of Gamaliel, a respected teacher, to prevent the apostles from being killed, showing that God can use anyone to protect his people.

v. 26: The officers went and brought the apostles to the council, but they did not use force because they were afraid of being stoned by the people (Acts 5:26 ^m). The apostles were popular with the crowds, so the leaders knew they had to be careful. This shows that the apostles had the respect of the people, even if the religious authorities did not like them.

v. 27: The apostles were set before the council, and the high priest questioned them. He reminded them that they had been strictly ordered not to teach in Jesus’ name, but they had filled Jerusalem with their teaching and were trying to make the leaders responsible for Jesus’ death (Acts 5:27–28 ⁿ). The leaders were angry that the apostles kept talking about Jesus and the resurrection.

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v. 29: Peter and the other apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men” . They boldly declared that God’s command was more important than any human command. Even though it was dangerous, they would not stop preaching about Jesus.

v. 30–32: Peter continued, saying, “The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his right hand as Prince and Savior, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him” (Acts 5:30–32 ^o). Peter was not afraid to tell the truth, even to the people who had power over him. He said that Jesus is the one who saves and forgives, and that the apostles and the Holy Spirit are witnesses to this truth.

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v. 33: When the council heard this, they were furious and wanted to kill the apostles (Acts 5:33 ^p). The boldness of the apostles made the leaders very angry, because it challenged their authority and reminded them of their part in Jesus’ death.

v. 34–39: But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was respected by everyone, stood up and told the council to be careful about what they did to the apostles. He reminded them that other movements had failed in the past, and said if this new movement was from God, they could not stop it. If it was not from God, it would fade away on its own (Acts 5:34–39 ^q). Gamaliel’s wise advice helped save the apostles’ lives.

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v. 40–42: The council agreed with Gamaliel. They called in the apostles, had them beaten, and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go. But the apostles rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name. Every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept preaching and teaching that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 5:40–42 ^r). Even after being threatened and beaten, the apostles did not stop sharing the good news about Jesus.