51 But a man named Ananias , with his wife Sapphira , sold a piece of property , 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge , and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet . 3 But Peter said , "Ananias , why e has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land ? 4 "While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold , was it not under your control ? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart ? You have not lied to men but to God ." 5 And as he heard these words , Ananias fell down and breathed his last ; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. 7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours , and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened . 8 And Peter responded to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price ?" And she said , "Yes , that was the price ." 9 Then Peter said to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test ? Behold , the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door , and they will carry you out as well." 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last , and the young men came in and found her dead , and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband . 11 And great fear came over the whole church , and over all who heard of these things .
12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people ; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico . 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however , the people held them in high esteem . 14 And all the more believers in the Lord , multitudes of men and women , were constantly added to their number, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets , so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16 Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together , bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits , and they were all being healed .
17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees ), and they were filled with jealousy . 18 They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail . 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison , and taking them out he said , 20 "Go , stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life ." 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach . Now when the high priest and his associates came , they called the Council together , even all the Senate of the sons of Israel , and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought . 22 But the officers who came did not find them in the prison ; and they returned and reported back, 23 saying , "We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors ; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside ." 24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words , they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this . 25 But someone came and reported to them, "The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people !"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 5:1-25
Commentary on Acts 5:1-11
(Read Acts 5:1-11)
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was, that they were ambitious of being thought eminent disciples, when they were not true disciples. Hypocrites may deny themselves, may forego their worldly advantage in one instance, with a prospect of finding their account in something else. They were covetous of the wealth of the world, and distrustful of God and his providence. They thought they might serve both God and mammon. They thought to deceive the apostles. The Spirit of God in Peter discerned the principle of unbelief reigning in the heart of Ananias. But whatever Satan might suggest, he could not have filled the heart of Ananias with this wickedness had he not been consenting. The falsehood was an attempt to deceive the Spirit of truth, who so manifestly spoke and acted by the apostles. The crime of Ananias was not his retaining part of the price of the land; he might have kept it all, had he pleased; but his endeavouring to impose upon the apostles with an awful lie, from a desire to make a vain show, joined with covetousness. But if we think to put a cheat upon God, we shall put a fatal cheat upon our own souls. How sad to see those relations who should quicken one another to that which is good, hardening one another in that which is evil! And this punishment was in reality mercy to vast numbers. It would cause strict self-examination, prayer, and dread of hypocrisy, covetousness, and vain-glory, and it should still do so. It would prevent the increase of false professors. Let us learn hence how hateful falsehood is to the God of truth, and not only shun a direct lie, but all advantages from the use of doubtful expressions, and double meaning in our speech.
Commentary on Acts 5:12-16
(Read Acts 5:12-16)
The separation of hypocrites by distinguishing judgments, should make the sincere cleave closer to each other and to the gospel ministry. Whatever tends to the purity and reputation of the church, promotes its enlargement; but that power alone which wrought such miracles by the apostles, can rescue sinners from the power of sin and Satan, and add believers to His worshippers. Christ will work by all his faithful servants; and every one who applies to him shall be healed.
Commentary on Acts 5:17-25
(Read Acts 5:17-25)
There is no prison so dark, so strong, but God can visit his people in it, and, if he pleases, fetch them out. Recoveries from sickness, releases out of trouble, are granted, not that we may enjoy the comforts of life, but that God may be honoured with the services of our life. It is not for the preachers of Christ's gospel to retire into corners, as long as they can have any opportunity of preaching in the great congregation. They must preach to the lowest, whose souls are as precious to Christ as the souls of the greatest. Speak to all, for all are concerned. Speak as those who resolve to stand to it, to live and die by it. Speak all the words of this heavenly, divine life, in comparison with which the present earthly life does not deserve the name. These words of life, which the Holy Ghost puts into your mouth. The words of the gospel are the words of life; words whereby we may be saved. How wretched are those who are vexed at the success of the gospel! They cannot but see that the word and power of the Lord are against them; and they tremble for the consequences, yet they will go on.