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 2proceeds for himself, with his wife’s 3full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he 4laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3But Peter said, “Ananias, why has 5Satan filled your heart to lie 6to the Holy Spirit and to 7keep back some of the 8proceeds of the land? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not 9under your control? Why is it that you have 10conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but 11to God.” 5And as he heard these words, Ananias 12collapsed and 13died; and 14great fear came over all who heard about it. 6The young men got up and 15covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

7Now an interval of about three hours elapsed, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land 16for 17this price?” And she said, “Yes, for 18that price.” 9Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to 19put 20the 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 21collapsed at his feet and 22died; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And 23great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard about these things.

1224At the hands of the apostles many 2526signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all 27together in 28Solomon’s 29portico. 13But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, 30the people held them in high esteem. 14And increasingly 31believers in the Lord, large numbers of men and women, were being 32added 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 33at least his shadow might fall on any of them. 16The 34people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together as well, bringing people who were sick 35or tormented with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

Imprisonment and Release

17But the high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is 36the sect of 37the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18They laid hands on the apostles and 38put them in a public prison. 19But during the night 39an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and leading them out, he said, 20“Go, stand and 40speak to the people in the temple area 4142the whole message of this Life.” 21Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple area 43about daybreak and began to teach.

Now when 44the high priest and his associates came, they called 45the 46Council together, that is, all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison for them to be brought. 22But 47the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported, 23saying, “We found the prison locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24Now when 48the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what 49would come of this. 25But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple area and teaching the people!” 26Then 50the captain went along with 51the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for 52they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

27When they had brought them, they had them stand 53before 54the Council. The high priest interrogated them, 28saying, “We gave you 55strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and 56yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and 57intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, “58We must obey God rather than men. 3059The God of our fathers 60raised up Jesus, whom you 61put to death by hanging Him on 6263a cross. 3164He is the One whom God exalted 65to His right hand as a 6667Prince and a 68Savior, to grant 69repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are 70witnesses 71of these things; and 72so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Counsel

33But when they heard this, they became 73infuriated and nearly decided to execute them. 34But a Pharisee named 74Gamaliel, a 75teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in 76the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35And he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men. 36For, some time ago Theudas appeared, 77claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. 78But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of 79the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or 80movement 81is men, it will be overthrown; 39but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found 82fighting against God.”

40They followed his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they 83flogged them and ordered them not to 84speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41So they went on their way from the presence of the 8586Council, 87rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame 88for His name. 4289And every day, in the temple and 90from house to house, they did not stop teaching and 91preaching the good news of Jesus as the 92Christ.