Acts 5
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 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.
To understand the story of Ananias and Sapphira better, we first will need to go back to chapter 4 and take the very last section of scripture:
Acts 4:36-37
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
At the end of chapter 4, we see the great unity of the Christian fellowship. People were enraptured with the holy spirit, bolstered by the apostles’ miracles and their budding faith, and were able to go “all in” with asking for the same gifts and the apostles. The spirit was with them and we saw this unity climax with the followers selling their possessions and giving it to the group (not yet called the church). Joseph was an example of this sacrificial giving. Ananias is not. Joseph is an example of generous giving, whereas Ananias is an example of hypocritical giving.
But it isn’t only Ananias’ problem. His wife is also complicit in the lie. They wanted the same respect that Joseph (and others) received for their sacrifice to the whole, but did not want to give at the same level the sacrifice required. They wanted to give without the full commitment. They wanted to appear generous without being fully generous. This is the first recorded sin of the Church Age.
Why is this sin important. First, all sin is important, God doesn’t levy a weight to sin. According to God, all sin is separation from Him. But in this specific case, it is important because the church is just getting going. Anything in its infancy is fragile. Whether we’re talking about a baby, a relationship or starting a new business, each carries a delicacy to it that can be brought down quite easily if a foundation is not set.
The sin isn’t just lying, but misrepresentation. Ananias implied that he had given all of the money to the church. The misrepresentation threatens the unity of the budding church. Hypocrisy within the church can threaten the church at a root level.
It is important to acknowledge the sin. In a church body, we must all be equal. Our sin is the equalizer. It is the one thing that all have in common. It is the baseline we develop relationships with. If we understand that others share the same affliction as we do, then there is no cause to claim superiority. Or to feel inferior. In this story, the people found unity after they gave all of their worldly possessions. Before that, some were richer than others. It didn’t matter what the amount was that was given. Once given, they were all equals.
Equality is important because when we size people up, we are in a sense trying to negotiate whether we are better or worse than them. But if we understand that we are equal, we are all in the same eternal situation, then we should be able to treat each other better, learn from one another, help one another.
If we look back at the story, Ananias’ misrepresentation is all about keeping a little for himself. He isn’t all in on his relationship with God and others. In regards to sin, if we keep a little sin for ourself, then we run the risk of that sin overcoming us in the future. This can grow in our own lives and affect others. This is why the response to it is so severe.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
How does Peter know that Ananias held money back? When we become one with Christ and accept Him as our Lord and savior, the Holy Spirit is downloaded into our system. Upon this “download”, we are also given a set of gifts to use for the kingdom. Although we know that Peter was given the gift of prophecy, healing and miracles, one of the others gifts he received was the word of knowledge. This is the ability to understand the unsaid things.
When we look at sin, we must always approach sin from a root level. Often the sins we are embroiled in are symptoms of a deeper sin. For instance, let’s look at anger. The moment you blow up at someone, often that explosion of anger has little to do with the situation and more to do with a deeper hurt that expresses itself through anger.
In Ananias’ case, Peter says that the lie wasn’t just to man but to the Holy Spirit. The problem isn’t the lie itself but what it represents: Ananias wanted to give people the appearance of giving generously. He wanted to show everyone that he was in good standing. The root sin of this action isn’t greed, as one may conclude, but pride. He wanted others to see him in a better light than he actually was.
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
Ananias dies right there on the spot and his body is removed. Did Peter do this? Did God? Did Ananias have a heart attack? It is initially unclear, but the problem is that Ananias cannot live inside the unity of the church in the condition he is in. Is he unrepentant? It seems as though he is, but his condition is realized thorough Sapphira, which gives us a clearer picture of the condition of their hearts.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
When Sapphira comes within Peter’s presence, Peter questions her on the price of the land. Sapphira has an opportunity to tell the truth to Peter, yet she chooses not to. This reveals the heart condition of them both. They conspired to withhold the money. They continued the ruse. And they receive the same judgment. Again, just like Ananias, she could not live in the unity of the church because she was not able to fully commit to it. This fear seizes the church community.
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
Solomon’s colonnade was a massive area within the temple grounds. The followers would meet there and they became well-known for meeting in the same area each day. In the story of Ananias and Sapphira, we could make the claim that God is cruel. After all, He struck down two people for a seemingly minor infraction. But sin is not a minor thing. And especially sin while the church foundations are being built. If it were to be allowed, then the fractures would be built into the church foundation.
But Ananias and Sapphira’s story became beneficial for the strengthening of the church. Verse 13 state “No one else dared join them” while verse 14 states “more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” A seeming contradiction. But what these two verses mean is that Ananias’ and Sapphira’s tragedy sent fear through the masses and gave people pause to consider if they were truly following. Those who joined at that moment were people who were truly committed. This numbers would grow quickly, and those people would be committed and willing to join the unity of the church. Furthermore, the people around Jerusalem began to understand the power of Christ’s followers. And based on their faith interaction with the power of Christ, people all over Jerusalem were healed.
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
Why are the Sadducees filled with jealousy? Because they cannot do the miracles the apostles are doing and they are beginning to lose their grip on the people. So what do they do? They throw the apostles in jail! But that doesn’t work because they are rescued by an angel who commands them to continue their mission.
So as they go back into the temple and teach those around them, the full assembly of the Sanhedrin have come to deliberate on the fate of the apostles. This is a bigger deal than what had happened to Peter and John in chapter 4. All of the chief elders and high priests have come, yet the apostles are gone. They are back, teaching in the temple, disregarding their threats.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
There’s a certain degree of delusion from the Sanhedrin. First, they admonish them again from teaching in Jesus’ name. In chapter four, the Sanhedrin knew the miraculous healing of the beggar. The evidence stood right before them! But instead of acknowledging the miraculous power and attempting to understand it, they sought to shut it down. The Sanhedrin know there is something here, but their power is challenged, an instead of looking toward the truth they buy into the lie of their own power and prestige.
Secondly, they feel that the apostles are unfairly attaching them to the death of Jesus. Were they complicit in it? Remember that the Israelites had a hand in the crucifixion, especially when Pilate gave them a choice of someone to be saved and they chose Barrabus. But also that the chief priests Caiphaues and Annas sent Jesus to death through their judgment.
The apostles say something that hits the Sanhedrin right between the eyes. They tell them that there is a higher authority than man, and authority they must adhere to regardless of man’s law. That spirit they follow is the same spirit that dwells inside them, the one only those who are connected to understand.
And what is the response of the Sanhedrin? Introspection? A meeting of the minds? No, it is anger. They want to snuff out the problem and get back to their lives.
34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
But there is one level-headed Pharisee, a man who has respect in the community and of his fellow Pharisees. Gamaliel has a chance to address the committee. His plea is simple: If these men are truly from God, let it play out. There were other people who revolted and were soon taken down. Those men had a man-centered agenda, which was doomed to fail. Gamliel’s argument hits at the eternal: if the apostles are truly sent by God, then their mission will succeed and the Sanhedrin will be fighting against God.
And even though this is accepted by the Sanhedrin, the Sanhedrin shows it’s juvenile mindset by flogging the apostles and kicking them out the door, demanding they don’t speak about Jesus any longer. But the apostles see this brutality as a positive. They’ve stood up against the political power structure of their time and stood their ground. And they continue their mission, regardless of the consequences, knowing that God is own their side.
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 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.
To understand the story of Ananias and Sapphira better, we first will need to go back to chapter 4 and take the very last section of scripture:
Acts 4:36-37
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
At the end of chapter 4, we see the great unity of the Christian fellowship. People were enraptured with the holy spirit, bolstered by the apostles’ miracles and their budding faith, and were able to go “all in” with asking for the same gifts and the apostles. The spirit was with them and we saw this unity climax with the followers selling their possessions and giving it to the group (not yet called the church). Joseph was an example of this sacrificial giving. Ananias is not. Joseph is an example of generous giving, whereas Ananias is an example of hypocritical giving.
But it isn’t only Ananias’ problem. His wife is also complicit in the lie. They wanted the same respect that Joseph (and others) received for their sacrifice to the whole, but did not want to give at the same level the sacrifice required. They wanted to give without the full commitment. They wanted to appear generous without being fully generous. This is the first recorded sin of the Church Age.
Why is this sin important. First, all sin is important, God doesn’t levy a weight to sin. According to God, all sin is separation from Him. But in this specific case, it is important because the church is just getting going. Anything in its infancy is fragile. Whether we’re talking about a baby, a relationship or starting a new business, each carries a delicacy to it that can be brought down quite easily if a foundation is not set.
The sin isn’t just lying, but misrepresentation. Ananias implied that he had given all of the money to the church. The misrepresentation threatens the unity of the budding church. Hypocrisy within the church can threaten the church at a root level.
It is important to acknowledge the sin. In a church body, we must all be equal. Our sin is the equalizer. It is the one thing that all have in common. It is the baseline we develop relationships with. If we understand that others share the same affliction as we do, then there is no cause to claim superiority. Or to feel inferior. In this story, the people found unity after they gave all of their worldly possessions. Before that, some were richer than others. It didn’t matter what the amount was that was given. Once given, they were all equals.
Equality is important because when we size people up, we are in a sense trying to negotiate whether we are better or worse than them. But if we understand that we are equal, we are all in the same eternal situation, then we should be able to treat each other better, learn from one another, help one another.
If we look back at the story, Ananias’ misrepresentation is all about keeping a little for himself. He isn’t all in on his relationship with God and others. In regards to sin, if we keep a little sin for ourself, then we run the risk of that sin overcoming us in the future. This can grow in our own lives and affect others. This is why the response to it is so severe.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
How does Peter know that Ananias held money back? When we become one with Christ and accept Him as our Lord and savior, the Holy Spirit is downloaded into our system. Upon this “download”, we are also given a set of gifts to use for the kingdom. Although we know that Peter was given the gift of prophecy, healing and miracles, one of the others gifts he received was the word of knowledge. This is the ability to understand the unsaid things.
When we look at sin, we must always approach sin from a root level. Often the sins we are embroiled in are symptoms of a deeper sin. For instance, let’s look at anger. The moment you blow up at someone, often that explosion of anger has little to do with the situation and more to do with a deeper hurt that expresses itself through anger.
In Ananias’ case, Peter says that the lie wasn’t just to man but to the Holy Spirit. The problem isn’t the lie itself but what it represents: Ananias wanted to give people the appearance of giving generously. He wanted to show everyone that he was in good standing. The root sin of this action isn’t greed, as one may conclude, but pride. He wanted others to see him in a better light than he actually was.
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
Ananias dies right there on the spot and his body is removed. Did Peter do this? Did God? Did Ananias have a heart attack? It is initially unclear, but the problem is that Ananias cannot live inside the unity of the church in the condition he is in. Is he unrepentant? It seems as though he is, but his condition is realized thorough Sapphira, which gives us a clearer picture of the condition of their hearts.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
When Sapphira comes within Peter’s presence, Peter questions her on the price of the land. Sapphira has an opportunity to tell the truth to Peter, yet she chooses not to. This reveals the heart condition of them both. They conspired to withhold the money. They continued the ruse. And they receive the same judgment. Again, just like Ananias, she could not live in the unity of the church because she was not able to fully commit to it. This fear seizes the church community.
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
Solomon’s colonnade was a massive area within the temple grounds. The followers would meet there and they became well-known for meeting in the same area each day. In the story of Ananias and Sapphira, we could make the claim that God is cruel. After all, He struck down two people for a seemingly minor infraction. But sin is not a minor thing. And especially sin while the church foundations are being built. If it were to be allowed, then the fractures would be built into the church foundation.
But Ananias and Sapphira’s story became beneficial for the strengthening of the church. Verse 13 state “No one else dared join them” while verse 14 states “more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” A seeming contradiction. But what these two verses mean is that Ananias’ and Sapphira’s tragedy sent fear through the masses and gave people pause to consider if they were truly following. Those who joined at that moment were people who were truly committed. This numbers would grow quickly, and those people would be committed and willing to join the unity of the church. Furthermore, the people around Jerusalem began to understand the power of Christ’s followers. And based on their faith interaction with the power of Christ, people all over Jerusalem were healed.
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
Why are the Sadducees filled with jealousy? Because they cannot do the miracles the apostles are doing and they are beginning to lose their grip on the people. So what do they do? They throw the apostles in jail! But that doesn’t work because they are rescued by an angel who commands them to continue their mission.
So as they go back into the temple and teach those around them, the full assembly of the Sanhedrin have come to deliberate on the fate of the apostles. This is a bigger deal than what had happened to Peter and John in chapter 4. All of the chief elders and high priests have come, yet the apostles are gone. They are back, teaching in the temple, disregarding their threats.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
There’s a certain degree of delusion from the Sanhedrin. First, they admonish them again from teaching in Jesus’ name. In chapter four, the Sanhedrin knew the miraculous healing of the beggar. The evidence stood right before them! But instead of acknowledging the miraculous power and attempting to understand it, they sought to shut it down. The Sanhedrin know there is something here, but their power is challenged, an instead of looking toward the truth they buy into the lie of their own power and prestige.
Secondly, they feel that the apostles are unfairly attaching them to the death of Jesus. Were they complicit in it? Remember that the Israelites had a hand in the crucifixion, especially when Pilate gave them a choice of someone to be saved and they chose Barrabus. But also that the chief priests Caiphaues and Annas sent Jesus to death through their judgment.
The apostles say something that hits the Sanhedrin right between the eyes. They tell them that there is a higher authority than man, and authority they must adhere to regardless of man’s law. That spirit they follow is the same spirit that dwells inside them, the one only those who are connected to understand.
And what is the response of the Sanhedrin? Introspection? A meeting of the minds? No, it is anger. They want to snuff out the problem and get back to their lives.
34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
But there is one level-headed Pharisee, a man who has respect in the community and of his fellow Pharisees. Gamaliel has a chance to address the committee. His plea is simple: If these men are truly from God, let it play out. There were other people who revolted and were soon taken down. Those men had a man-centered agenda, which was doomed to fail. Gamliel’s argument hits at the eternal: if the apostles are truly sent by God, then their mission will succeed and the Sanhedrin will be fighting against God.
And even though this is accepted by the Sanhedrin, the Sanhedrin shows it’s juvenile mindset by flogging the apostles and kicking them out the door, demanding they don’t speak about Jesus any longer. But the apostles see this brutality as a positive. They’ve stood up against the political power structure of their time and stood their ground. And they continue their mission, regardless of the consequences, knowing that God is own their side.