1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Saphira his wife, sold a piece of land, 2 And by fraud kept back part of the price of the land, his wife being privy thereunto: and bringing a certain part of it, laid it at the feet of the apostles. 3 But Peter said: Ananias, why hath Satan tempted thy heart, that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Ghost, and by fraud keep part of the price of the land? 4 Whilst it remained, did it not remain to thee? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words, fell down, and gave up the ghost. And there came great fear upon all that heard it. 6 And the young men rising up, removed him, and carrying him out, buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. 8 And Peter said to her: Tell me, woman, whether you sold the land for so much? And she said: Yea, for so much. 9 And Peter said unto her: Why have you agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold the feet of them who have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out. 10 Immediately she fell down before his feet, and gave up the ghost. And the young men coming in, found her dead: and carried her out, and buried her by her husband. 11 And there came great fear upon the whole church, and upon all that 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 But of the rest no man durst join himself unto them; but the people magnified them. 14 And the multitude of men and women who believed in the Lord, was more increased: 15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that when Peter came, his shadow at the least, might overshadow any of them, and they might be delivered from their infirmities. 16 And there came also together to Jerusalem a multitude out of the neighboring cities, bringing sick persons, and such as were troubled with unclean spirits; who were all healed. 17 Then the high priest rising up, and all they that were with him, (which is the heresy of the Sadducees,) were filled with envy. 18 And they laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19 But an angel of the Lord by night opening the doors of the prison, and leading them out, said: 20 Go, and standing speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21 Who having heard this, early in the morning, entered into the temple, and taught. And the high priest coming, and they that were with him, called together the council, and all the ancients of the children of Israel; and they sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the ministers came, and opening the prison, found them not there, they returned and told, 23 Saying: The prison indeed we found shut with all diligence, and the keepers standing before the doors; but opening it, we found no man within. 24 Now when the officer of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were in doubt concerning them, what would come to pass. 25 But one came and told them: Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple standing, and teaching the people. 26 Then went the officer with the ministers, and brought them without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 Saying: Commanding we commanded you, that you should not teach in this name; and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and you have a mind to bring the blood of this man upon us. 29 But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God, rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom you put to death, hanging him upon a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things and the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to all that obey him. 33 When they had heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they thought to put them to death. 34 But one in the council rising up, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, respected by all the people, commanded the men to be put forth a little while. 35 And he said to them: Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do, as touching these men. 36 For before these days rose up Theodas, affirming himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all that believed him were scattered, and brought to nothing. 37 After this man, rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the enrolling, and drew away the people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as consented to him, were dispersed. 38 And now, therefore, I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this council or this work be of men, it will come to nought; 39 But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest perhaps you be found even to fight against God. And they consented to him. 40 And calling in the apostles, after they had scourged them, they charged them that they should not speak at all in the name of Jesus; and they dismissed them. 41 And they indeed went from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus. 42 And every day they ceased not in the temple, and from house to house, to teach and preach Christ Jesus.
Acts · Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
Acts 5 Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Ananias
Sold a piece of property and secretly kept back part of the price while claiming to give it all; he fell dead when Peter confronted him.
Cited in the guide: Acts 5:1; Acts 5:3; Acts 5:5
Gamaliel
A respected Pharisee on the Sanhedrin who counseled leaving the apostles alone; Paul later said he had been educated at his feet.
Cited in the guide: Acts 5:34; Acts 22:3
Cross references (39)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Leviticus 10:1–3; 2 Timothy 2:20; Matthew 13:47–48; John 6:37
- 2 Acts 4:37; 2 Peter 2:14–15; Acts 4:34–35; Joshua 7:11–12; Acts 5:3
- 3 Jeremiah 23:24; Isaiah 29:15; John 13:27; John 13:2; Acts 5:9
- 4 Acts 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; 1 Chronicles 29:3; 2 Kings 5:25–27; Joshua 7:25–26
- 5 Acts 5:10–11; Acts 2:43; Numbers 16:26–34; Revelation 11:5; Revelation 11:13
- 6 John 19:40; Leviticus 10:4–6; 2 Samuel 18:17; Deuteronomy 21:23
- 8 Acts 5:2
- 9 1 Corinthians 10:9; Acts 5:3–4; Psalm 95:8–11; Psalm 78:56; Acts 15:10
- 10 Acts 5:5
- 11 Acts 5:5; 1 Corinthians 10:11–12; Acts 19:17; Hebrews 4:1; Philippians 2:12
- 12 Acts 19:11; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4; Acts 14:3; Romans 15:19
- 13 Acts 2:47; Acts 4:21; Acts 19:17; John 19:38; John 12:42
- 14 Acts 2:47; Isaiah 55:11–13; Acts 4:4; Acts 2:41; Ezra 10:1
- 15 Acts 19:11–12; Matthew 14:36; John 14:12; Matthew 9:21
- 16 Mark 16:17–18; Mark 2:3–4; James 5:16; Mark 6:54–56; Matthew 8:16
- 17 Acts 13:45; Acts 7:9; Acts 17:5; 1 Peter 2:1; John 12:10
- 18 Acts 4:3; Luke 21:12; 2 Corinthians 11:23; Hebrews 11:36; Acts 16:23–27
- 19 Acts 16:26; Psalm 34:7; Acts 12:7–11; Acts 8:26; Psalm 105:17–20
- 20 John 6:63; John 6:68; 1 John 5:11–12; 1 John 1:1–3; Matthew 21:23
- 21 John 8:2; Acts 12:18–19; Luke 21:37–38; Acts 22:2–3; John 18:35
- 23 Psalm 33:10; Psalm 2:4; Lamentations 3:55–58; Lamentations 3:37; Daniel 3:11–25
- 24 Acts 5:26; Acts 4:1; John 11:47–48; Mark 4:30–32; Acts 4:21
- 26 Acts 5:13; Acts 4:21; Luke 20:19; Matthew 21:26; Luke 20:6
- 27 Matthew 5:22; Acts 6:12; Acts 22:30–23:1; Acts 4:7; Luke 22:66
- 28 Matthew 27:25; Acts 7:52; Acts 4:18–21; Acts 4:10–11; Jeremiah 26:15
- 29 Acts 4:19; 1 Samuel 15:24; Mark 7:7–9; Genesis 3:17; Revelation 14:8–12
- 30 Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24; Acts 10:39; Acts 13:28–29; Acts 4:10–11
- 31 Luke 24:47; Acts 2:33; Hebrews 2:10; Acts 11:18; Luke 2:11
- 32 John 15:26–27; Hebrews 2:3–4; Acts 1:8; Luke 24:47–48; Acts 13:31
- 33 Acts 7:54; Luke 4:28–29; Acts 2:37; John 16:2; Matthew 24:9
- 34 Acts 22:3; Luke 2:46; Luke 5:17; Psalm 76:10; John 7:50–53
- 35 Jeremiah 26:19; Matthew 27:19; Acts 19:36; Acts 22:26
- 36 Acts 8:9; 2 Peter 2:2; Revelation 17:3; Jude 16; Revelation 17:5
- 37 Luke 2:1–2; Luke 13:1–2; Job 20:5–9; Matthew 26:52; Psalm 7:14–15
- 38 Matthew 15:13; Lamentations 3:37; Isaiah 8:9–10; Job 5:12–14; Isaiah 7:5–7
- 39 Proverbs 21:30; Isaiah 46:10; Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 1:25; Acts 7:51
- 40 Matthew 10:17; 2 Corinthians 11:24; Acts 4:17–21; John 19:1–4; Mark 13:9
- 41 James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:13–16; Luke 6:22; Philippians 1:29; John 15:21
- 42 Acts 2:46; Acts 20:20; Luke 21:37; Acts 8:35; Acts 9:20
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
"Having risen up," that is, being roused, being excited at the things taking place, the high-priest and they which were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees) were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the Apostles:" they now assault them more vigorously: "and put them in the common prison;" but did not forthwith bring them to …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 11 (1889)
… are in this witnesses of these words; as also is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that believe in Him." "And daily," it is said, "in the temple, and from house to house, they ceased not to teach and preach Christ Jesus," the Son of God.
Was it night when, as the disciples were passing by, the sick were laid in couches, that they might be touched at least by their shadow as they passed? Yet, when the Lord was here, there was no one made whole by His shadow as He passed; but He Himself had said to the disciples, "Greater things than these shall …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 7 (1888)
As when they said, "Did not we straitly command you, that ye should not speak in this name?" although able to work any number of miracles, they neither said nor did anything harsh, but answered for themselves with all meekness, saying, "Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." Hast thou seen the harmlessness …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
… the blessed Paul is one, having been a little while His enemy, but for a long time His servant: the Twelve Apostles are His witnesses, having preached the truth not only in words, but also by their own torments and deaths: the shadow of Peter bears witness, having healed the sick in the name of Christ.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)