Acts — Chapter 5

1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.

2With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

3Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?

4Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”

5On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.

6Then the young men stepped forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

7About three hours later his wife also came in, unaware of what had happened.

8“Tell me,” said Peter, “is this the price you and your husband got for the land?” “Yes,” she answered, “that is the price.”

9“How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter replied. “Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10At that instant she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

11And great fear came over the whole church and all who heard about these events.

12The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord the believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade.

13Although the people regarded them highly, no one else dared to join them.

14Yet more and more believers were brought to the Lord—large numbers of both men and women.

15As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.

16Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were healed.

17Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out

18and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying,

20“Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.”

21At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts as they had been told and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.

22But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they returned with the report:

23“We found the jail securely locked, with the guards posted at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”

24When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this account, they were perplexed as to what was happening.

25Then someone came in and announced, “Look, the men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people!”

26At that point, the captain went with the officers and brought the apostles—but not by force, for fear the people would stone them.

27They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them.

28“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.”

29But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree.

31God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

33When the Council members heard this, they were enraged, and they resolved to put the apostles to death.

34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a short time.

35“Men of Israel,” he said, “consider carefully what you are about to do to these men.

36Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.

38So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail.

39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

40At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.

41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

42Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2And 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.

3But 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?

4Whiles 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.

5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

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

8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9Then 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.

10Then 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.

11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

12And 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.

13And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

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

15Insomuch 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.

16There 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.

17Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

21And 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.

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

23Saying, 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.

24Now 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.

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 captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

28Saying, 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.

29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

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

33When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

34Then 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;

35And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

36For 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.

37After 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.

38And 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:

39But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even 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 speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2and 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.

3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?

4While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God.

5And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it.

6And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.

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

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

9But Peter [said] unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out.

10And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.

11And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.

12And 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.

13But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them;

14and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of them and women;

15insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them.

16And there also came together the multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem, bring sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

17But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,

18and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.

19But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,

20Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.

21And when they heard [this], they entered into the temple about daybreak, 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-house to have them brought.

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

23saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow.

25And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.

26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, [but] without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,

28saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man`s blood upon us.

29But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.

30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.

31Him did God exalt with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.

32And we are witnesses of these things; and [so is] the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

33But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and minded to slay them.

34But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while.

35And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do.

36For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out 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 dispersed, and came to nought.

37After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away [some of the] people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

38And 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 be overthrown:

39but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God.

40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.

42And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus [as] the Christ.

1Now a man named Ananias, together with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property.

2He kept back for himself part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge; he brought only part of it and placed it at the apostles’ feet.

3But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of the land?

4Before it was sold, did it not belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God!”

5When Ananias heard these words he collapsed and died, and great fear gripped all who heard about it.

6So the young men came, wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

7After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, but she did not know what had happened.

8Peter said to her, “Tell me, were the two of you paid this amount for the land?” Sapphira said, “Yes, that much.”

9Peter then told her, “Why have you agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!”

10At once she collapsed at his feet and died. So when the young men came in, they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

11Great fear gripped the whole church and all who heard about these things.

12Now many miraculous signs and wonders came about among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent they were all meeting together in Solomon’s Portico.

13None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high honor.

14More and more believers in the Lord were added to their number, crowds of both men and women.

15Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and put them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow would fall on some of them.

16A crowd of people from the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits. They were all being healed.

17Now the high priest rose up, and all those with him (that is, the religious party of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.

18They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.

19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said,

20“Go and stand in the temple courts and proclaim to the people all the words of this life.”

21When they heard this, they entered the temple courts at daybreak and began teaching. Now when the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin—that is, the whole high council of the Israelites—and sent to the jail to have the apostles brought before them.

22But the officers who came for them did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,

23“We found the jail locked securely and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”

24Now when the commander of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report, they were greatly puzzled concerning it, wondering what this could be.

25But someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courts and teaching the people!”

26Then the commander of the temple guard went with the officers and brought the apostles without the use of force (for they were afraid of being stoned by the people).

27When they had brought them, they stood them before the council, and the high priest questioned them,

28saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood on us!”

29But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people.

30The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you seized and killed by hanging him on a tree.

31God exalted him to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

32And we are witnesses of these events, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33Now when they heard this, they became furious and wanted to execute them.

34But a Pharisee whose name was Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the council and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time.

35Then he said to the council, “Men of Israel, pay close attention to what you are about to do to these men.

36For sometime ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about 400 men joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and nothing came of it.

37After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and incited people to follow him in revolt. He too was killed, and all who followed him were scattered.

38So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people, it will come to nothing,

39but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found fighting against God.” He convinced them,

40and they summoned the apostles and had them beaten. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.

41So they left the council rejoicing because they had been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

42And every day both in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus was the Christ.

1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession,

2and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

3But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”

5Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things.

6The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him.

7About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.

8Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” She said, “Yes, for so much.”

9But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

10She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.

11Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.

12By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

13None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them.

14More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.

15They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them.

16The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.

17But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,

18and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public custody.

19But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out, and said,

20“Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”

21When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who 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.

22But the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported,

23“We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”

24Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this.

25One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”

26Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.

27When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them,

28saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”

29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree.

31God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.

32We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were determined to kill them.

34But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while.

35He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do.

36For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out 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 dispersed, and came to nothing.

37After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

38Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.

39But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”

40They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.

42Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.