Acts 5

Fate of Ananias and Sapphira

1But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2and 1kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s 2full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he 3laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3But Peter said, “Ananias, why has 4Satan filled your heart to lie 5to the Holy Spirit and to 6keep back some of the price of the land? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not 7under your control? Why is it that you have 8conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but 9to God.” 5And as he heard these words, Ananias 10fell down and breathed his last; and 11great fear came over all who heard of it. 6The young men got up and 12covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

7Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land 1314for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, 15that was the price.” 9Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to 16put 17the 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.” 10And immediately she 18fell 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. 11And 19great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

1220At the hands of the apostles many 21signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in 22Solomon’s portico. 13But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, 23the people held them in high esteem. 14And all the more 24believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly 25added to their number, 15to 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 26at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16Also the 27people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick 28or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

Imprisonment and Release

17But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is 29the sect of 30the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18They laid hands on the apostles and 31put them in a public jail. 19But during the night 32an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20“Go, stand and 33speak to the people in the temple 3435the whole message of this Life.” 21Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple 36about daybreak and began to teach.

Now when 37the high priest and his associates came, they called 38the 39Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. 22But 40the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, 23saying, “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.” 24Now when 41the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what 42would come of this. 25But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26Then 43the captain went along with 44the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for 45they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

27When they had brought them, they stood them 46before 47the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, “We gave you 48strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and 49yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and 50intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “51We must obey God rather than men. 3052The God of our fathers 53raised up Jesus, 54whom you had 55put to death by hanging Him on a 56cross. 3157He is the one whom God exalted 58to His right hand as a 5960Prince and a 61Savior, to grant 62repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are 63witnesses 64of these things; and 65so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Counsel

33But when they heard this, they were 66cut 67to the quick and intended to kill them. 34But a Pharisee named 68Gamaliel, a 69teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in 70the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36For some time ago Theudas rose up, 71claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. 72But he was killed, and all who 73followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of 74the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who 75followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or 76action 77is of men, it will be overthrown; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found 78fighting against God.”

40They 79took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they 80flogged them and ordered them not to 81speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41So they went on their way from the presence of the 8283Council, 84rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame 85for His name. 4286And every day, in the temple and 87from house to house, they 88kept right on teaching and 8990preaching Jesus as the 91Christ.