Ananias and Sapphira

1And a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold an estate 2and kept back a part from the price, his wife knowing it along with him; and having brought a certain part, laid it at the feet of the apostles. 3But Peter said, Ananias, wherefore hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and keep back a part from the price of the land? 4Remaining with thee did it not belong to thee; and having been sold, was it not still in thy control? why hast thou placed this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied to men, but to God. 5And Ananias hearing these words, having fallen down, breathed out his soul. And great fear came on all hearing; 6and the young men, rising up, took him, and having carried him out, buried him.

7And an interval of about three hours supervened, and his wife, not having known what had taken place, came in. 8And Peter responded to her, Tell me if you sold the place for so much? And she said; Yes, for so much. 9And Peter said to her; Why has it been agreed with you to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of those having buried thy husband are at the door, and they will carry thee out. 10And immediately she fell at his feet, and breathed out her soul; and the young men having come in found her dead, and having carried her out, buried her with her husband. 11And great fear came on all the church, and on all those hearing these things.

The Apostles Heal Many

12And many miracles and wonders were wrought by the hands of the apostles among the people. And they were all of one accord in Solomon's porch. 13And no one of the rest dared to attach himself to them; but the people were magnifying them; 14but believers were the more added to the Lord, a multitude both of men and women, 15so that they were carrying the sick into the streets, and placing them on couches and beds, in order that the shadow of Peter passing along might cast a shadow on some one of them. 16Then a multitude, of the cities around about Jerusalem, came together, carrying their sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, who were all being healed.

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

17And the high priest and all those being with him, being the sect of the Sadducees, were filled with rage, 18and laid hands on the apostles, and placed them in the public prison. 19And the angel of the Lord, having opened the doors of the prison during the night, and leading them out said, 20Go, and standing in the temple, speak to the people all the words of this life. 21And hearing, they came into the temple at daydawn, and were teaching. And the high priest coming and those with him, called together the sanhedrim and all the eldership of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to bring them. 22And the officers arriving found them not in the prison; and having returned, reported, 23saying; We found the prison closed with all safety, and the guards standing at the doors, and having opened, we found no one within.

The Apostles before the Sanhedrin

24And when the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were at a loss concerning them, what this might be. 25And a certain one coming announced to them, Behold, the men whom you placed in the prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people. 26Then the captain along with the officers, having gone away, led them, not with violence, for they feared the people lest they might be stoned.

27And leading them, they placed them in the council, and the chief priests asked them, saying, 28With commandment we commanded you not to teach in this name; and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching; and you are determined to bring upon us the blood of this man. 29But Peter and the apostles responding said, It behooves us to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you have slain, hanging him on the wood; 31Him hath God exalted at His own right hand, a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel. 32And we are witnesses of these words, and the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to those who obey him.

Gamaliel’s Advice

33And hearing, they were cut through and were minded to kill them. 34But a certain Pharisee, Gamaliel by name, a teacher of the law, honorable to all the people, rising in the sanhedrim command them to put the men out for a short time, 35and he said to them; Israelitish men, take heed to yourselves in reference to these men what you are about to do. 36For before these days Theudas arose, saying that he was somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, adhered, who were slain, and all, so many as confided in him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. 37After him Judas the Galilean arose, in the days of the enrollment, and led the people after him; he also perished, and all, so many as confided in him, were scattered abroad. 38And I now say this to you: Stand aloof from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught; 39but if it be of God, you will not be able to destroy them, lest perchance you may also be found fighting against God.

40And they obeyed him, and having called the apostles, beating them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and sent them away. 41Then they departed from the face of the sanhedrim, rejoicing indeed, because they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of his name. 42And all day in the temple, and from house to house, they ceased not teaching and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.