Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. New Living Translation As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. English Standard Version When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. Berean Standard Bible On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened. Berean Literal Bible And hearing these words, Ananias, having fallen down, breathed his last. And great fear came upon all those hearing. King James Bible And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. New King James Version Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. New American Standard Bible And as he heard these words, Ananias collapsed and died; and great fear came over all who heard about it. NASB 1995 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. NASB 1977 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came upon all who heard of it. Legacy Standard Bible And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard. Amplified Bible And hearing these words, Ananias fell down suddenly and died; and great fear and awe gripped those who heard of it. Berean Annotated Bible On hearing these words, Ananias (YHWH is gracious) fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened. Christian Standard Bible When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. Holman Christian Standard Bible When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. American Standard Version And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it. Contemporary English Version As soon as Ananias heard this, he dropped dead, and everyone who heard about it was frightened. English Revised Version And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it. GOD'S WORD® Translation When Ananias heard Peter say this, he dropped dead. Everyone who heard about his death was terrified. Good News Translation As soon as Ananias heard this, he fell down dead; and all who heard about it were terrified. International Standard Version When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized everyone who heard about it. NET Bible When Ananias heard these words he collapsed and died, and great fear gripped all who heard about it. New Heart English Bible Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard it. Webster's Bible Translation And Ananias hearing these words, fell down, and expired. And great fear came on all them that heard these things. Weymouth New Testament Upon hearing these words Ananias fell down dead, and all who heard the words were awe-struck. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOn hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened. World English Bible Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Ananias hearing these words, having fallen down, expired, and great fear came on all who heard these things, Berean Literal Bible And hearing these words, Ananias, having fallen down, breathed his last. And great fear came upon all those hearing. Young's Literal Translation and Ananias hearing these words, having fallen down, did expire, and great fear came upon all who heard these things, Smith's Literal Translation And Ananias hearing these words, having fallen down, he expired: and great fear was upon all them hearing these things. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Ananias hearing these words, fell down, and gave up the ghost. And there came great fear upon all that heard it. Catholic Public Domain Version Then Ananias, upon hearing these words, fell down and expired. And a great fear overwhelmed all who heard of it. New American Bible When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard of it. New Revised Standard Version Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when An-a-ni’as heard these words, he fell down and died; and great fear came upon all of those who heard these things. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And when Khanan-Yah heard these words, he dropped dead and great fear came upon all those who heard. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd when Ananias heard these words, he fell down, and expired. And great fear came on all that heard these things. Godbey New Testament And Ananias hearing these words, having fallen down, breathed out his soul. And great fear came on all hearing; Haweis New Testament Then Ananias, hearing those words, sunk down and expired: and great dread fell upon all who heard these things. Mace New Testament at these words Ananias fell down dead upon the spot: which struck the minds of all that heard of it with great dread. Weymouth New Testament Upon hearing these words Ananias fell down dead, and all who heard the words were awe-struck. Worrell New Testament And Ananias, hearing these words, falling down, expired; and great fear came upon all who heard it; Worsley New Testament And Ananias at the hearing of these words fell down and expired: and great fear came on all that heard these things. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ananias and Sapphira…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!” 5 On 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.… Cross References On hearing these words, Acts 7:54 On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him. Luke 4:28 On hearing this, all the people in the synagogue were enraged. Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Ananias fell down and died. Acts 12:23 Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 1 Samuel 4:18 As soon as the ark of God was mentioned, Eli fell backward from his chair by the city gate, and being old and heavy, he broke his neck and died. And Eli had judged Israel forty years. Leviticus 10:1-2 Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. And great fear came over all Acts 19:17 This became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and fear came over all of them. So the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Luke 7:16 A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God has visited His people!” Luke 1:65 All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events. who heard what had happened. Joshua 2:10-11 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites across the Jordan, whom you devoted to destruction. / When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below. Luke 8:34-37 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside. / So the people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man whom the demons had left, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. / Meanwhile, those who had seen it reported how the demon-possessed man had been healed. … 1 Samuel 4:13 When he arrived, there was Eli, sitting on his chair beside the road and watching, because his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man entered the city to give a report, the whole city cried out. Numbers 16:31-35 As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, / and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. / They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly. … Joshua 7:1-5 The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites. / Meanwhile, Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. / On returning to Joshua, they reported, “There is no need to send all the people; two or three thousand men are enough to go up and attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, you need not wear out all our people there.” … 2 Samuel 6:6-7 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God. 1 Chronicles 13:9-10 When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. Treasury of Scripture And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. hearing. Acts 5:10,11 Then 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… Acts 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Numbers 16:26-33 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins… great. Acts 5:11,13 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things… Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Leviticus 10:3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. Jump to Previous Ananias Anani'as Awe-Struck Breathed Dead Died Earth Expire Expired Fallen Fear Fell Ghost Great Heard Hearing Last Present Seized WordsJump to Next Ananias Anani'as Awe-Struck Breathed Dead Died Earth Expire Expired Fallen Fear Fell Ghost Great Heard Hearing Last Present Seized WordsActs 5 1. After that Ananias and Sapphira his wife, 3. at Peter's rebuke had fallen down dead; 12. and that the rest of the apostles had wrought many miracles; 14. to the increase of the faith; 17. the apostles are again imprisoned; 19. but delivered by an angel bidding them preach openly to all; 21. when, after their teaching accordingly in the temple, 29. and before the council, 33. they are in danger to be killed; 34. but through the advice of Gamaliel, they are kept alive, and are only beaten; 41. for which they glorify God, and cease no day from preaching. On hearing these words This phrase refers to the words spoken by Peter, who confronted Ananias about his deceit. The context is the early church in Jerusalem, where believers were selling possessions and sharing the proceeds. Ananias, along with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property but kept back part of the money while pretending to donate the full amount. This act of deception was not just against the apostles but against the Holy Spirit, highlighting the seriousness of lying to God. Ananias fell down and died And great fear came over all who heard what had happened Persons / Places / Events 1. AnaniasA member of the early Christian community who, along with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property but deceitfully withheld part of the proceeds while claiming to donate the entire amount to the apostles. 2. Peter One of Jesus' apostles and a leader in the early church, who confronted Ananias about his deceit, leading to Ananias' sudden death. 3. The Early Church The community of believers in Jerusalem who were living communally, sharing their possessions and resources as described in the preceding chapters of Acts. 4. Jerusalem The city where these events took place, serving as the center of early Christian activity and the location of the first church. 5. The Holy Spirit The third person of the Trinity, whose presence and power are evident in the early church and who is directly lied to by Ananias, as Peter points out. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinAnanias' death underscores the gravity of sin, particularly deceit and hypocrisy, within the community of believers. It serves as a reminder that God sees the heart and values truthfulness. The Role of the Holy Spirit The incident highlights the active presence of the Holy Spirit in the church. Lying to the community is equated with lying to God Himself, emphasizing the Spirit's divine authority. Community Integrity The early church's communal living required trust and honesty. Ananias' actions threatened this integrity, showing the importance of transparency and accountability in Christian fellowship. Fear of the Lord The great fear that came over the church serves as a healthy reverence for God's holiness and justice. It reminds believers to approach God with respect and sincerity. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 5:5?2. How does Acts 5:5 illustrate the seriousness of lying to the Holy Spirit? 3. What lessons can we learn about God's holiness from Ananias's sudden death? 4. How does Acts 5:5 connect with Proverbs 12:22 on lying? 5. In what ways can we ensure honesty in our church community today? 6. How can Acts 5:5 inspire personal integrity in our daily walk with God? 7. Why did God allow Ananias to die for lying in Acts 5:5? 8. What does Acts 5:5 reveal about God's judgment and mercy? 9. How does Acts 5:5 align with the concept of divine justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 5? 11. Psalm 52:3–4 implies a swift downfall for those who love lies; where is the historical evidence supporting this immediate judgment? 12. What does the Bible say about manipulation? 13. What happened to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5? 14. Acts 5:1-11: How can two people suddenly die for lying, and is there any historical or medical evidence supporting such an event? What Does Acts 5:5 Mean On hearing these wordsPeter had just confronted Ananias about lying to the Holy Spirit and to God (Acts 5:3–4). The apostle’s words exposed a deliberate deception, not a mere accounting error. Scripture records other moments when God’s word unmasked sin instantly—think of Nathan’s rebuke to David (2 Samuel 12:7) or Jesus’ insight into the Samaritan woman’s past (John 4:17-18). Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that “the word of God is living and active… able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Here, that judging word arrived through Peter, leaving no room for excuse. Ananias fell down and died The sentence was immediate and physical—literal, not symbolic. Just as Nadab and Abihu were struck down for unauthorized fire (Leviticus 10:1-2) and Uzzah died for touching the ark (2 Samuel 6:6-7), Ananias faced divine judgment for treating God’s holiness lightly. In 1 Corinthians 11:30 Paul tells the church that “many are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep” because they abused the Lord’s Supper. These episodes confirm that the Lord reserves the right to guard His holiness with decisive action. For the early church, this moment underscored that grace never nullifies God’s righteous standards (Romans 6:1-2). And great fear came over all who heard what had happened The effect was widespread, reaching beyond the witnesses to anyone who heard the report. Acts 2:43 notes an earlier surge of “awe” after Pentecost, and Acts 19:17 describes a later outpouring of “fear” when the name of Jesus was magnified in Ephesus. Proverbs 9:10 teaches, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,” and this healthy reverence guarded the church from hypocrisy, fostering sincerity, unity, and power (Acts 4:32-35). Far from driving believers away, godly fear deepened their commitment, while warning outsiders that God’s community is not to be trifled with. summary Acts 5:5 shows the Lord’s immediate, righteous response to deliberate deception within His church. Peter’s Spirit-filled words pierced Ananias’s heart; God’s judgment fell on the spot; and the resulting fear purified and strengthened the believing community. The verse reminds us that the same holy God who pours out grace also demands integrity, calling His people to walk in transparent, wholehearted devotion. (5) Ananias hearing these words fell down.--It is to be noted that St. Peter's words, while they press home the intensity of the guilt, do not contain any formal sentence. In such a case we may rightly trace that union of natural causation and divine purpose which we express in the familiar phrase that speaks of "the visitation of God" as a cause of death. The shame and agony of detection, the horror of conscience not yet dead, were enough to paralyse the powers of life. Retribution is not less a divine act because it comes, through the working of divine laws, as the natural consequence of the sin which draws it down. It was necessary, we may reverently say, that this special form of evil, this worst corruption of the best, should be manifestly condemned on its first appearance by a divine judgment. And we must remember that there is a silence which we may not dare to break as to all but the visible judgment. The dominant apostolic idea of such punishments was that men were delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1Corinthians 5:5). St. Peter himself speaks of those who are "judged according to men in the flesh," who yet "live according to God in the spirit" (1Peter 4:6).Verse 5. - Upon all that heard it for on all them that heard these things, A.V. and T.R. Gave up the ghost (ἐξέψυξε). The same word as in ver. 10 and Acts 12:23, but found nowhere else in the New Testament. Great fear, etc. We have here an example of punishment which is remedial, not to the person punished, but to others, by displaying the just judgment of God as a warning against sin.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek On hearingἈκούων (Akouōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. these τούτους (toutous) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. words, λόγους (logous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. Ananias Ἁνανίας (Hananias) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 367: Of Hebrew origin; Ananias, the name of three Israelites. fell down πεσὼν (pesōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4098: A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall. [and] died. ἐξέψυξεν (exepsyxen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1634: To breathe my last, die, expire. From ek and psucho; to expire. And καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. great μέγας (megas) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense. fear φόβος (phobos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5401: (a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect. From a primary phebomai; alarm or fright. came ἐγένετο (egeneto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. over ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at. all πάντας (pantas) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. who τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. heard [what had happened]. ἀκούοντας (akouontas) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. Links Acts 5:5 NIVActs 5:5 NLT Acts 5:5 ESV Acts 5:5 NASB Acts 5:5 KJV Acts 5:5 BibleApps.com Acts 5:5 Biblia Paralela Acts 5:5 Chinese Bible Acts 5:5 French Bible Acts 5:5 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 5:5 Ananias hearing these words fell down (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
    |