1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and AActs 5:3kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s 1Or collusionfull knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he BActs 4:35, 37laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has AMatt 4:10; Luke 22:3; John 13:2, 27Satan filled your heart to lie BActs 5:4, 9to the Holy Spirit and to CActs 5:2keep back some of the price of the land? 4  “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not 1Or in your authorityunder your control? Why is it that you have 2Lit placedconceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but AActs 5:3, 9to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias AEzek 11:13; Acts 5:10fell down and breathed his last; and BActs 2:43; 5:11great fear came over all who heard of it. 6 The young men got up and AJohn 19:40covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land 1Lit for so muchAActs 5:2for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, 1Lit for so muchthat was the price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to AActs 15:10put BActs 5:3, 4the 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.” 10 And immediately she AEzek 11:13; Acts 5:5fell 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. 11 And AActs 2:43; 5:5great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

12 1Lit ThroughAt the hands of the apostles many AJohn 4:48signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in BJohn 10:23; Acts 3:11Solomon’s portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, AActs 2:47; 4:21the people held them in high esteem. 14 And all the more A2 Cor 6:15believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly BActs 2:47; 11:24added to their number, 15 to 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 AActs 19:12at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16 Also the 1Lit multitudepeople from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick 2Lit andor afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is AActs 15:5the sect of BMatt 3:7; Acts 4:1the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and AActs 4:3put them in a public jail. 19 But during the night AMatt 1:20, 24; 2:13, 19; 28:2; Luke 1:11; 2:9; Acts 8:26; 10:3; 12:7, 23; 27:23an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20 “Go, stand and 1Or continue to speakspeak to the people in the temple 2Lit all the wordsAJohn 6:63, 68the whole message of this Life.” 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple AJohn 8:2about daybreak and began to teach.

Now when BActs 4:6the high priest and his associates came, they called CMatt 5:22; Acts 5:27, 34, 41the 1Or SanhedrinCouncil together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. 22 But AMatt 26:58; Acts 5:26the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, 23 saying, “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.” 24 Now when AActs 4:1; 5:26the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what 1Lit this would becomewould come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then AActs 5:24the captain went along with BActs 5:22the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for CActs 4:21; 5:13they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

27 When they had brought them, they stood them 1Lit inbefore AMatt 5:22; Acts 5:21, 34, 41the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you AActs 4:18strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and 1Lit beholdyet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and BMatt 23:35; 27:25; Acts 2:23, 36; 3:14f; 7:52intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “AActs 4:19We must obey God rather than men. 30  “AActs 3:13The God of our fathers BActs 2:24raised up Jesus, 1Or on whom you had laid violent handswhom you had CActs 10:39; 13:29; Gal 3:13; 1 Pet 2:24put to death by hanging Him on a 2Lit woodcross. 31  “AActs 2:33He is the one whom God exalted 1Or byto His right hand as a 2Or LeaderBActs 3:15Prince and a CLuke 2:11Savior, to grant DLuke 24:47; Acts 2:38repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32  “And we are ALuke 24:48witnesses 1One early ms adds in Himof these things; and BJohn 15:26; Acts 15:28; Rom 8:16; Heb 2:4so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

33 But when they heard this, they were AActs 2:37; 7:54cut 1Or in their heartsto the quick and intended to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee named AActs 22:3Gamaliel, a BLuke 2:46; 5:17teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in CActs 5:21the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36  “For some time ago Theudas rose up, AActs 8:9; Gal 2:6; 6:3claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. 1Lit Who was killedBut he was killed, and all who 2Lit were obeyingfollowed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37  “After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of ALuke 2:2the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who 1Lit were obeyingfollowed him were scattered. 38  “So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or 1Or workaction AMark 11:30is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found AProv 21:30; Acts 11:17fighting against God.”

40 They 1Lit were persuaded by himtook his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they AMatt 10:17flogged them and ordered them not to 2Lit be speakingspeak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the 1Or SanhedrinAActs 5:21Council, B1 Pet 4:14, 16rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame CJohn 15:21for His name. 42 AActs 2:46And every day, in the temple and 1Or in the various private homesfrom house to house, they 2Lit were not ceasing tokept right on teaching and 3Lit telling the good news ofBActs 8:35; 11:20; 17:18; Gal 1:16preaching Jesus as the 4I.e. MessiahChrist.