Act 5 | LEB | STEP | Now a certain man ⌞named⌟ Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

Acts 5

Ananias and Sapphira Lie to the Holy Spirit

1 Now a certain man ⌞named⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “by name”} Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and he kept back for himself some of the proceeds, and his ^{▼▼*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun} wife was aware of it. ^{▼▼*Here the participle “was aware of” in this genitive absolute construction has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style} And he brought a certain part and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“brought”) has been translated as a finite verb} placed it ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} at the feet of the apostles. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, for what reason has Satan filled your heart, that you lied to the Holy Spirit and kept back for yourself some of the proceeds of the piece of land? 4 When it ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“remained”) which is understood as temporal} remained to you, did it not remain yours? And when it ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was sold”) which is understood as temporal} was sold, was it at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people, but to God!”

5 And when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal} Ananias heard these words, he fell down and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“fell down”) has been translated as a finite verb} died. And great fear came on all those who heard about it. ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} 6 So the young men stood up, wrapped him up, and carried him ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} out and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“carried … out”) has been translated as a finite verb} buried him. ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} 7 And it happened that there was an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you both ^{▼▼*Here “both” reflects the second person plural verb, which refers to both Ananias and Sapphira} were paid this much for the piece of land.” And she said, “Yes, this much.” 9 So Peter said to her, “How is it that it was agreed by you two ^{▼▼*Here “two” is supplied in the translation to indicate that the pronoun (“you”) is plural in the Greek text} to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!” 10 And immediately she fell down at his feet and died. So when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came in”) which is understood as temporal} the young men came in, they found her dead, and carried her ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} out and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“carried … out”) has been translated as a finite verb} buried her ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} with her husband. 11 And great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard about these things.

Many Signs and Wonders Are Performed by the Apostles

12 Now many signs and wonders were being performed among the people through the hands of the apostles. And they were all together ^{▼▼Or perhaps “by common consent”} in Solomon’s Portico. 13 And none of the rest dared to join them, but the people spoke highly of them. 14 And even more believers in the Lord ^{▼▼Or “even more believers were being added to the Lord”} were being added, large numbers of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and put them ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} on cots and mats ^{▼▼Or “mattresses”} so that when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“came by”)} Peter came by, at least his ^{▼▼*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun} shadow would fall on some of them. 16 And the people of the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, who were all being healed.

The Apostles Arrested and Imprisoned

17 Now the high priest rose up and all those who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“rose up”) has been translated as a finite verb} they were filled with jealousy. 18 And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the two previous participles (“opened” and “led”) have been translated as finite verbs} said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple courts ^{▼▼*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself} and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stand”) has been translated as a finite verb} proclaim to the people all the words of this life.” 21 And when they ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal} heard this, ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} they entered at daybreak into the temple courts ^{▼▼*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself} and began teaching. ^{▼▼*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began teaching”)}

Now when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal} the high priest and those with him arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin—even the whole council of elders of the sons of Israel—and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But the officers who came ^{▼▼Or “when they came”} did not find them in the prison, and they returned and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“returned”) has been translated as a finite verb} reported, 23 saying, “We found the prison locked with all security and the guards standing at the doors, but when we ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“opened”) which is understood as temporal} opened them, ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} we found no one inside!” 24 Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed concerning them, as to what this might be. 25 But someone came and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came”) has been translated as a finite verb} reported to them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple courts ^{▼▼*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself} and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went with the officers and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went”) has been translated as a finite verb} brought them, not with force (for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned by them). ^{▼▼*The words “by them” are not in the Greek text but are implied}

The Apostles on Trial Before the Sanhedrin

27 And when they ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had brought”) which is understood as temporal} had brought them, they made them ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} stand in the Sanhedrin, ^{▼▼Or “council”} and the high priest put a question to them, 28 saying, “⌞We strictly commanded⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “we commanded with a commandment”} you ^{▼▼Some manuscripts have “Did we not strictly command you”} not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! And you are intending to bring upon us the blood of this man!” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb} said, “It is necessary to obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by ^{▼▼*Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“hanging”) which is understood as means} hanging him ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} on a tree. 31 This one God has exalted to his right hand as Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things, and so is ^{▼▼*The words “so is” are not in the Greek text but are implied} the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 Now when ^{▼▼*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal} they heard this, ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} they were infuriated, and were wanting to execute them. 34 But a certain man stood up in the Sanhedrin, ^{▼▼Or “council”} a Pharisee ⌞named⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “by name”} Gamaliel, a teacher of the law respected by all the people, and ^{▼▼*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stood up”) has been translated as a finite verb} gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men and Israelites, take care for yourselves what you are about to do to these men! 36 For before these days, Theudas rose up saying he was somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined ⌞him⌟. ^{▼▼Literally “to whom”} ⌞He⌟ ^{▼▼Literally “who”} was executed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and ⌞caused people to follow him in revolt⌟. ^{▼▼Literally “caused people to revolt after him”} And that one perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 And now I tell you, keep away from these men, and leave them alone, because if this plan or this matter is from people, it will be overthrown. ^{▼▼Or “it will fail”} 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found fighting against God.” So they were persuaded by him. 40 And they summoned the apostles, beat them, ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} commanded them ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. ^{▼▼*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation} 41 So they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin ^{▼▼Or “council”} rejoicing, because they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the sake of the name. 42 Every day, both in the temple courts ^{▼▼*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself} and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that the Christ ^{▼▼Or “Messiah”} was Jesus.