Acts 5:1-21 ▼

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

2 and kept back part of the price, and his wife was conscious of it; and he brought a certain part of it, and laid it at the feet of the apostles.

3 But Peter said: Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart, that you should at tempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, and keep back part of the price of the land?

4 While it remained unsold, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your own disposal? Why have you purposed this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.

5 And when Ananias heard these words, he fell down, and expired. And great fear came on all that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose and wound him in his mantle, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And after an interval of about three hours, his wife, not knowing what had been done, came in.

8 And Peter answered her: Tell me, did you sell the land for so much? She replied: Yes; for so much.

9 But Peter said to her: Why 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 shall carry you out.

10 And she immediately fell down at his feet, and expired. And the young men came in and found her dead; and they carried her out, and buried her by the side of her husband.

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

12 And many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles; (and they were all with one consent in Solomon's porch.

13 And no one of the rest durst join himself to them; but the people magnified them.

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

15 so that they brought the sick out along the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that even the shadow of Peter, as he passed along, might fall on some of them.

16 And many people of the cities round about came to Jerusalem, bringing the sick, and those who were troubled by evil spirits, all of whom were cured.

17 But the chief priest arose, and all that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation;

18 and they laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the public prison.

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

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

21 And having heard this, they entered the temple, early in the morning, and taught. But the chief priest, and those who were with him, came and called together the Sanhedrin, and all the eldership of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.