Acts 5 - New Century Version (NCV)

Ananias and Sapphira Die

5 But a man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold some land. 2 He kept back part of the money for himself; his wife knew about this and agreed to it. But he brought the rest of the money and gave it to the apostles. 3 Peter said, “Ananias, why did you let Satan rule your thoughts to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep for yourself part of the money you received for the land? 4 Before you sold the land, it belonged to you. And even after you sold it, you could have used the money any way you wanted. Why did you think of doing this? You lied to God, not to us!” 5-6 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. Some young men came in, wrapped up his body, carried it out, and buried it. And everyone who heard about this was filled with fear.

7 About three hours later his wife came in, but she did not know what had happened. 8 Peter said to her, “Tell me, was the money you got for your field this much?”

Sapphira answered, “Yes, that was the price.”

9 Peter said to her, “Why did you and your husband agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 At that moment Sapphira fell down by his feet and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 The whole church and all the others who heard about these things were filled with fear.

The Apostles Heal Many

12 The apostles did many signs and miracles among the people. And they would all meet together on Solomon’s Porch. 13 None of the others dared to join them, but all the people respected them. 14 More and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to the group of believers. 15 The people placed their sick on beds and mats in the streets, hoping that when Peter passed by at least his shadow might fall on them. 16 Crowds came from all the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those who were bothered by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

Leaders Try to Stop the Apostles

17 The high priest and all his friends (a group called the Sadducees) became very jealous. 18 They took the apostles and put them in jail. 19 But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and led the apostles outside. The angel said, 20 “Go stand in the Temple and tell the people everything about this new life.” 21 When the apostles heard this, they obeyed and went into the Temple early in the morning and continued teaching.

When the high priest and his friends arrived, they called a meeting of the leaders and all the important elders. They sent some men to the jail to bring the apostles to them. 22 But, upon arriving, the officers could not find the apostles. So they went back and reported to the leaders. 23 They said, “The jail was closed and locked, and the guards were standing at the doors. But when we opened the doors, the jail was empty!” 24 Hearing this, the captain of the Temple guards and the leading priests were confused and wondered what was happening.

25 Then someone came and told them, “Listen! The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain and his men went out and brought the apostles back. But the soldiers did not use force, because they were afraid the people would stone them to death.

27 The soldiers brought the apostles to the meeting and made them stand before the leaders. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in that name. But look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are trying to make us responsible for this man’s death.”

29 Peter and the other apostles answered, “We must obey God, not human authority! 30 You killed Jesus by hanging him on a cross. But God, the God of our ancestors, raised Jesus up from the dead! 31 Jesus is the One whom God raised to be on his right side, as Leader and Savior. Through him, all people could change their hearts and lives and have their sins forgiven. 32 We saw all these things happen. The Holy Spirit, whom God has given to all who obey him, also proves these things are true.”

33 When the leaders heard this, they became angry and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up in the meeting. He was a teacher of the law, and all the people respected him. He ordered the apostles to leave the meeting for a little while. 35 Then he said, “People of Israel, be careful what you are planning to do to these men. 36 Remember when Theudas appeared? He said he was a great man, and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed, and all his followers were scattered; they were able to do nothing. 37 Later, a man named Judas came from Galilee at the time of the registration.[a] He also led a group of followers and was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 And so now I tell you: Stay away from these men, and leave them alone. If their plan comes from human authority, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You might even be fighting against God himself!”

The leaders agreed with what Gamaliel said. 40 They called the apostles in, beat them, and told them not to speak in the name of Jesus again. Then they let them go free. 41 The apostles left the meeting full of joy because they were given the honor of suffering disgrace for Jesus. 42 Every day in the Temple and in people’s homes they continued teaching the people and telling the Good News—that Jesus is the Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 5:37 registration Census. A counting of all the people and the things they own.

You Might Also Like:

Acts 5 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

5 And a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 and did keep back of the price -- his wife also knowing -- and having brought a certain part, at the feet of the apostles he laid [it]. 3 And Peter said, `Ananias, wherefore did the Adversary fill thy heart, for thee ...
Read More

Acts 5 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

5 But a man [Forsooth some man], Ananias by name, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a field, 2 and defrauded of the price of the field; and his wife was witting. And he brought a part [And he brought some part], and laid [it] before the feet of the apostles. 3 And Peter said to him, Ananias, why hath ...
Read More

Acts 5 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

1-2 man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold a field. He brought some of the money to the apostles. But he kept the rest of it. His wife knew what he had done. 3 Peter said, `Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart? Why do you lie to the Holy Spirit? You have kept some of the money which you ...
Read More

Acts 5 - World English Bible (WEB)

5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, 2 and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, then brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit an...
Read More

Acts 5 - The Voice (VOICE)

This portrait of the early church as an unselfish community is captivating and inspiring. It presents a challenge for many followers of the Anointed One who want to show sacrificially their love to Him and His church. Many today wonder how to translate this into a modern culture so shaped by consume...
Read More

Acts 5 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Ananias and Sapphira Lie to the Ruach5 On the other hand, a man named Ananias together with his wife, Sapphira, sold a property. 2 He kept back some of the proceeds, with his wife’s full knowledge, and brought part of it and set it at the feet of the emissaries. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has ...
Read More

Acts 5 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Ananias and Sapphira5 But a man named Anani′as with his wife Sapphi′ra sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Anani′as, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the ...
Read More

Acts 5 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Ananias and Sapphira5 But a man named Anani′as with his wife Sapphi′ra sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Anani′as, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the ...
Read More

Acts 5 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

5 But a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a possession, 2 and embezzled part of the price (his wife also being aware of it) and brought a certain part and laid it down at the Apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart, that you should lie to th...
Read More

Acts 5 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Disaster5 There was, however, a man named Ananias, married to a woman called Sapphira. He sold some property, 2 and, with his wife’s knowledge, kept back part of the price. He brought the rest and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 ‘Ananias!’ said Peter. ‘Why did the satan fill your heart, to make yo...
Read More

Acts 5 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Ananias and Sapphira5 But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2 with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to l...
Read More

Acts 5 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Ananias and Sapphira5 But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2 with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 ‘Ananias,’ Peter asked, ‘why has Satan filled your heart to l...
Read More

Acts 5 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Ananias and Sapphira5 But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2 with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.(A)3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to li...
Read More

Acts 5 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

The dissembling of Ananias and Sapphira is punished. Miracles are done by the apostles, who are seized, but the angel of God brings them out of prison. They are brought before the council. The advice of Gamaliel. The apostles are beaten. They rejoice in trouble. 5 A certain man named Ananias, with S...
Read More

Acts 5 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Ananias and Sapphira5 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your ...
Read More

Acts 5 - New Life Version (NLV)

The Sin of Ananias and Sapphira5 A man by the name of Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold some land. 2 He kept back part of the money for himself. His wife knew it also. The other part he took to the missionaries. 3 Peter said to Ananias, “Why did you let Satan fill your heart? He made you lie to...
Read More

Acts 5 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Lying to the Holy Spirit5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 (A)But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (B)Satan filled your ...
Read More