1 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 privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine 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 thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at 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 these things.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

1But a certaine man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, solde a possession,

2And kept backe part of the price, his wife also being priuy to it, and brought a certaine part, and layd it at the Apostles feete.

3But Peter said, Ananias, Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the holy Ghost, and to keepe backe part of the price of the land?

4Whiles it remained, was it not thine owne? and after it was sold, was it not in thine owne power? why hast thou conceiued this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied vnto men, but vnto God.

5And Ananias hearing these words, fell downe, and gaue vp the ghost: and great feare came on all them that heard these things.

6And the yong men arose, wound him vp, and caried him out, and buried him.

7And it was about the space of three houres after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8And Peter answered vnto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she saide, Yea, for so much.

9Then Peter saide vnto her, How is it that ye haue agreed together, to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feete of them which haue buried thy husband, are at the doore, and shall cary thee out.

10Then fell she downe straightway at his feete, and yeelded vp the ghost: And the yong men came in, and found her dead, and carying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11And great feare came vpon all the Church, and vpon as many as heard these things.

12¶ And by the hands of the Apostles, were many signes and wonders wrought among the people. (And they were all with one accord in Solomons porch.

13And of the rest durst no man ioyne himselfe to them: But the people magnified them.

14And beleeuers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

15Insomuch þt they brought foorth the sicke into the streetes, and layed them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by, might ouershadow some of them.

16There came also a multitude out of the cities round about vnto Hierusalem, bringing sicke folkes, and them which were vexed with vncleane spirits: and they were healed euery one.

17¶ Then the high Priest rose vp, and al they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadduces) and were filled with indignation,

18And laid their hands on the Apostles, & put them in the common prison.

19But the Angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doores, and brought them foorth, and said,

20Goe, stand and speake in the Temple to the people all the words of this life.

21And when they heard that, they entred into the Temple early in the morning, & taught: but the high Priest came, and they that were with him, and called the Councill together, and all the Senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to haue them brought.

22But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

23Saying, The prison truely found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doores, but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24Now when the high Priest, and the captaine of the Temple, and the chiefe Priests heard these things, they doubted of them wherunto this would grow.

25Then came one, and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison, are standing in the Temple, and teaching the people.

26Then went the captaine with the officers, and brought them without violence: (For they feared the people, lest they should haue bene stoned.)

27And when they had brought them, they set them before the Councill, and the high Priest asked them,

28Saying, Did not wee straitly command you, that you should not teach in this Name? And behold, yee haue filled Hierusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this mans blood vpon vs.

29¶ Then Peter, and the other Apostles answered, and saide, Wee ought to obey God rather then men.

30The God of our fathers raised vp Iesus, whom yee slew and hanged on a tree.

31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to bee a Prince and a Sauiour, for to giue repentance to Israel, and forgiuenesse of sinnes.

32And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the holy Ghost, whom God hath giuen to them that obey him.

33¶ When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and tooke counsell to slay them.

34Then stood there vp one in the Councill, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctour of Law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the Apostles forth a litle space,

35And said vnto them, Yee men of Israel, take heed to your selues, what ye intend to doe as touching these men.

36For before these dayes rose vp Theudas, boasting himselfe to be some body, to whom a number of men, about foure hundred, ioyned themselues: who was slaine, and all, as many as obeied him, were scattered, & brought to nought.

37After this man rose vp Iudas of Galilee, in the dayes of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: hee also perished, and all, euen as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

38And now I say vnto you, refraine from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsell or this worke be of men, it will come to nought.

39But if it be of God, ye cannot ouerthrow it, lest haply yee be found euen to fight against God.

40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the Apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speake in the Name of Iesus, and let them goe.

41 And they departed from the presence of the Councill, reioycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name.

42And dayly in the Temple, and in euery house, they ceased not to teach and preach Iesus Christ.

 

1 A man named Ananias, however, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 He retained for himself, with his wife's knowledge, some of the purchase price, took the remainder, and put it at the feet of the apostles. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you lied to the holy Spirit and retained part of the price of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain yours? And when it was sold, was it not still under your control? Why did you contrive this deed? You have lied not to human beings, but to God." 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men came and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, unaware of what had happened. 8 Peter said to her, "Tell me, did you sell the land for this amount?" She answered, "Yes, for that amount." 9 Then Peter said to her, "Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen, the footsteps of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 At once, she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men entered they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. 12 Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon's portico. 13 None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them. 14 Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them. 15 Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. 16 A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured. 17 Then the high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy, 18 laid hands upon the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, 20 "Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life." 21 When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught. When the high priest and his companions arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin, the full senate of the Israelites, and sent to the jail to have them brought in. 22 But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison, so they came back and reported, 23 "We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside." 24 When they heard this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to. 25 Then someone came in and reported to them, "The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people." 26 Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them in, but without force, because they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 27 When they had brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, 28 "We gave you strict orders (did we not?) to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us." 29 But Peter and the apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him." 33 When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the men to be put outside for a short time, 35 and said to them, "Fellow Israelites, be careful what you are about to do to these men. 36 Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed, and all those who were loyal to him were disbanded and came to nothing. 37 After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census. He also drew people after him, but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered. 38 So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. 39 But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God." They were persuaded by him. 40 After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. 41 So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. 42 And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus.

v1-10. But. This indicates a contrast. In 4:36,37. Barnabas had, though a Levite, obviously given first himself - then his money. Contrast Ananias who connived with his wife and in pretense gave all, but had actually appropriated some for themselves. They had not first given themselves to God. Their sin was not giving only a part, that was their business. Sin was their hypocrisy and lie. Peter did not condemn them and cause their death. He merely had illumination of Holy Spirit of their sin and impending death, Divinely caused. God’s judgment on Christians, 1 Cor,11:26-32. God’s warning to the new Church as he warned Israel in the new land by Achan. Most burials were on the day of death due to the warm climate, as well as anyone touching or in the house with a dead body was unclean seven days.
v11. Obviously struck fear on all that God would severely judge a “small” lie.
v12-14. By common consent they continued meeting at the temple. Sometimes after someone is saved they continue in their modernistic church for a while, but eventually become miserable in it or are made unwelcome if they really take a strong stand. These people were so “different” (and after God’s harsh judgment), other temple worshipers feared joining with them, but those who really were born again were willing to risk persecution, ridicule etc. and identify with them and the Lord. (How about us?)
v1516. Not said that Peter’s shadow healed them. Healed by their faith in coming.
v17,18. The Sadducees who didn’t believe in resurrection could not stand it that all the people who came were healed in the name of the one who was resurrected. This begins record of the second persecution (Not Roman,12:1,2,  but temple officials).
v19-25. This time it was God’s will for an angel to open the prison doors and command them to preach. The Lord does each circumstance differently. What a shock to the council as they sedately and self righteously met to humiliate these men, only to be humiliated themselves to learn they were loose and preaching in another part of the same temple area.
v26,27. This was the high point of public acceptance and the rulers had to act with great care or the persecution would back lash upon themselves.
v28. The Jewish leaders own mouths condemned them, Matt. 27.25, “His blood be on us, and on our children”. Here actually was their concern, their wickedness exposed. They use the pronoun, this, twice rather than pronounce the hated name of Jesus. Jews have paid in persecution throughout the years, but the Holocaust etc. did not expiate them for their sin, as some claim. To be a sacrifice, they would have to have been perfect, individually and nationally. 
v29. No defense, determined to obey God.
v30-32. Peter pulled no punches, but as in 4:10. bluntly charged them with murdering the Son of God whom God raised, Disciples and Holy Ghost both being witnesses. v31 as in 4:12 pronounces Christ the Savior of Israel.
v33. Leaders could answer nothing but were convicted and intensely angered. The people were pricked in their hearts, but these were cut to their hard hearts. The same sun that melts wax, hardens clay.
v34-39,Gamaliel, Paul’s teacher, should have known definitely the truth of Christ, but, v38 and 39, was neutral. His advice was good to a point, but neutrality, Lk. 11;23, put him against God. This series warn us as churches not to place our trust in man.
v40-42. Persecution revealed the continuing national rejection of Christ as the Messiah. This was first instance of physical violence upon Christians and they rejoiced, not griped. They obeyed Acts 20:20, teaching publicly and house to house.