Acts 5:1-11

Acts 5:1-11

[1] But  a certain  man  named  Ananias,  with  Sapphira  his  wife,  sold  a possession,  [2] And  kept back  part of  the price,  wife  also  being privy  to it, and  brought  a certain  part,  and laid  it at  the apostles'  feet.  [3] But  Peter  said,  Ananias,  hath Satan  filled  heart  to lie  to the Holy  Ghost,  and  to keep back  part of  the price  of the land?  [4] Whiles it remained,  was it not  and  after it was sold,  was it not  in  thine own  power?  why  hast thou conceived  thing  in  heart?  not  lied  unto men,  but  unto God.  [5] And  Ananias  hearing  words  fell down,  and gave up the ghost:  and  great  fear  came  on  all  them that heard  [6] And  the young men  arose,  him  up,  and  carried him out,  and buried  [7] And  it was  about  of three  hours  after,  when  his  wife,  not  knowing  what was done,  came in.  [8] And  Peter  answered  unto her,  Tell  whether  ye sold  the land  for so much?  And  she said,  Yea,  for so much.  [9] Then  Peter  unto  her,  How  is it that  have agreed together  to tempt  the Spirit  of the Lord?  behold,  the feet  of them which have buried  husband  are at  the door,  and  out.  [10] Then  fell she down  straightway  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] And  great  fear  came  upon  all  the church,  and  upon  as many as  heard 

What does Acts 5:1-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

We might conclude from what precedes that the church was a sinless community at this time. Unfortunately this was not the case. There were sinning saints in it. This episode reveals that God was working dramatically in the church"s early days in judgment as well as in blessing. Luke did not idealize his portrait of the early church but painted an accurate picture, "warts and all."
"The passage shows that God knows the hearts of believers. Peter is not the major figure in the text: God is. Luke is teaching about respect for God through one"s action." [1]