The lie and death of Ananias and his Sapphire Acts 5

The lie and death of Ananias and his Sapphire

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And he took some of the price, and his wife also knew it; and took a part, and laid it at the feet of the apostles.

3 - Then said Peter, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart, that ye should lie to the Holy Ghost, and keep back part of the price of the land?

4 - Keeping it was not for you? And, after sold, was not it with you? Why did you design this design in your heart? You did not lie to men, but to God.

5 - And when Ananias heard these words, he fell and died. And great fear came upon all who heard it.

6 - And when the young men arose, they covered the dead man, and brought him forth, and buried him.

7 And after a space of about three hours, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

8 - And Peter said unto him, Tell me, have ye sold that land? And she said: Yes, therefore.

9 - And Peter said unto him, Why is it that ye have agreed among yourselves to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will also carry you to you.

10 - And immediately fell at his feet, and breathed his last. And when the young men came in, they found her dead, and buried her with her husband.

11 - And there was a great fear in the whole church, and in all them that heard these things.

12 - And many signs and wonders were made among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together on the porch of Solomon.

13 - And of the rest of them, no one dared to join them; but the people held them in high esteem.

14 And the multitude of them that believed in the Lord, both men and women, grew more and more.

15 So they carried the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and beds, so that at least Peter's shadow, when he passed, covered some of them.

16 - And out of the cities round about came many men to Jerusalem, leading the sick and afflicted with unclean spirits; who were all cured.

The Apostles Are Miraculously Released

17 - And the high priest stood up, and all that were with him (and they were of the sect of the Sadducees), were filled with envy,

18 - And they laid hands on the apostles, and laid them in the prison of the congregation.

19 - But in the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,

20 - Go and stand in the temple, and speak unto the people all the words of this life.

21 - And when they heard this, they went into the temple early in the morning, and taught. And the chief priests and the men that were with him came and called the council, and all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent them into the prison, that they might bring them from thence.

22 - But when the servants were gone, they found them not in the prison, and came and told them,

23 - Saying, We have indeed found the prison closed, with all safety, and the guards that were without, before the gates; but when we opened, no one found inside.

24 - And the high priest, and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests, hearing these words, were astonished at them, and at what was to come.

25 - And one came and told them, saying, Behold, the men which thou hast put in prison are in the temple, and teach the people.

The Apostles Conducted Before The Sanhedrin

26 - And the captain went with the servants, and brought them not with violence: for they feared to be stoned by the people.

27 - And when they had brought them, they brought them before the council. And the high priest questioned them,

28 - Saying, Did we not admonish you expressly not to teach in this name? And, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with this doctrine, and wilt cast the blood of the man upon us.

29 - But Peter and the apostles answered and said, It is more important to obey God than to men.

30 - The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, and hanged him on the tree.

31 - God with his right hand hath raised him to the Prince and Savior, to give repentance and remission of sins unto Israel.

32 - And we are witnesses of these words, we, and also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Gamaliel's advice

33 - And when they heard this, they were angry, and purposed to slay them.

34 - But when a certain Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a scribe of the law, venerated by all the people, rose up in the council, commanded that they should carry the apostles a little out;

35 - And he said unto them, Men of Israel, beware of what ye shall do unto these men,

36 - For before these days Theudas arose, saying to be a man; to this the number of about four hundred men was gathered; who was slain, and all that hearkened to were scattered and reduced to naught.

37 - And Judas the Galilean arose in the days of his enlistment, and took many people after him; but he also perished, and all that hearkened to were scattered abroad.

38 - And now I say unto you, Give these men away, and forsake them: for if this counsel or this work is of men,

39 - But if it be of God, ye can not undo it; lest you be found also fighting against God.

40 And they agreed with him. And calling the apostles, and having scourged them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 - And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were judged worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus.

42 - And every day in the temple and in the houses, they did not cease to teach, and to preach Jesus Christ.