CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 5:4 Did 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!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/5-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/44_Act_05_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 5:4 - Ananias and Sapphira" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Did 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!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/5-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/5-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/5-3.htm" title="Acts 5:3">◄</a> Acts 5:4 <a href="/acts/5-5.htm" title="Acts 5:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/5.htm">New International Version</a> Didn&#8217t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn&#8217t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/acts/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” <a href="/esv/acts/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” <a href="/bsb/acts/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Did 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!” <a href="/blb/acts/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Remaining, did not it remain yours? And having been sold, was it not in the own authority? Why did you purpose this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!" <a href="/kjv/acts/5.htm">King James Bible</a> Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. <a href="/nkjv/acts/5.htm">New King James Version</a> While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” <a href="/nasb_/acts/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.” <a href="/nasb/acts/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/acts/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.” <a href="/lsb/acts/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your authority? Why is it that you laid this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” <a href="/amp/acts/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> As long as it remained [unsold], did it not remain your own [to do with as you pleased]? And after it was sold, was the money not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this act [of hypocrisy and deceit] in your heart? You have not [simply] lied to people, but to God.” <a href="/csb/acts/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.” <a href="/hcsb/acts/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Wasn&#8217t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn&#8217t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!&#8221 <a href="/asv/acts/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God. <a href="/cev/acts/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The property was yours before you sold it, and even after you sold it, the money was still yours. What made you do such a thing? You didn't lie to people. You lied to God!" <a href="/erv/acts/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Whiles it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. <a href="/gwt/acts/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> While you had the land, it was your own. After it was sold, you could have done as you pleased with the money. So how could you do a thing like this? You didn't lie to people but to God!" <a href="/gnt/acts/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Before you sold the property, it belonged to you; and after you sold it, the money was yours. Why, then, did you decide to do such a thing? You have not lied to people--you have lied to God!" <a href="/isv/acts/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> As long as it remained unsold, wasn't it your own? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? So how could you have thought of doing what you did? You didn't lie only to men, but also to God!" <a href="/msb/acts/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Did 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!? <a href="/net/acts/5.htm">NET Bible</a> Before it was sold, did it not belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God!" <a href="/nheb/acts/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> While you kept it, did not it remain your own? After it was sold, was not it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people, but to God." <a href="/wbt/acts/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> While it remained, was it not thy own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied to men, but to God. <a href="/wey/acts/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> While it remained unsold, was not the land your own? And when sold, was it not at your own disposal? How is it that you have cherished this design in your heart? It is not to men you have told this lie, but to God." <a href="/web/acts/5.htm">World English Bible</a> While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> While it remained, did it not remain yours? And having been sold, was it not in your authority? Why [is] it that you put this thing in your heart? You did not lie to men, but to God”; <a href="/blb/acts/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Remaining, did not it remain yours? And having been sold, was it not in the own authority? Why did you purpose this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!" <a href="/ylt/acts/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> while it remained, did it not remain thine? and having been sold, in thy authority was it not? why is it that thou didst put in thy heart this thing? thou didst not lie to men, but to God;' <a href="/slt/acts/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Remaining, did it not remain to thee? and sold, it was in thy power: for what hast thou put this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied to men, but to God.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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. <a href="/cpdv/acts/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Did it not belong to you while you retained it? And having sold it, was it not in your power? Why have you set this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!” <a href="/nabre/acts/5.htm">New American Bible</a> While it remained unsold, did it not remain yours? And when it was sold, was it not still under your control? Why did you contrive this deed? You have lied not to human beings, but to God.” <a href="/nrsvce/acts/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Was it not your own before you sold it? And after it was sold, had you not the sole authority over its price? What made you think to do this thing? You have not only lied to men but to God. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Was it not yours until it was sold? And after it was sold, again you had power over its proceeds. Why have you set your heart to do this thing? You have not cheated men but God.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> 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. <a href="/godbey/acts/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Remaining 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. <a href="/haweis/acts/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> it remained unsold, was it not vested in thee? and when sold, was it not in thine own power? why then hast thou determined in thine heart to do this deed? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. <a href="/mace/acts/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> was not the estate your own estate? and was not the price for which it was sold, all in your own hands? how came such a design as this in your heart? thou hast not lyed unto men, but unto God. <a href="/wey/acts/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> While it remained unsold, was not the land your own? And when sold, was it not at your own disposal? How is it that you have cherished this design in your heart? It is not to men you have told this lie, but to God." <a href="/worrell/acts/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> While remaining, did it not remain your own? and, when sold, did it not continue in your own authority? Why did you conceive in your heart this thing? You did not lie to men, but to God." <a href="/worsley/acts/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> While it remained, did it not remain thy own? and when sold, was it not in thy own power? what is the meaning that thou hast taken this into thine heart? Thou hast not lyed to men, but to God. <a href="/parallel/acts/5-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=1251" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/5.htm">Ananias and Sapphira</a> …3Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? 4<a href="/greek/3780.htm" title="3780: ouchi (IntPrtcl) -- By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed."></a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: emenen (V-IIA-3S) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">Did it not belong</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you</a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: menon (V-PPA-NNS) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">before it was sold?</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/4097.htm" title="4097: prathen (V-APP-NNS) -- A reduplicated and prolonged form of prao; contracted from perao; to traffic, i.e. Dispose of as merchandise or into slavery.">after it was sold,</a> <a href="/greek/5225.htm" title="5225: hypērchen (V-IIA-3S) -- To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).">was it not</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">at</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4674.htm" title="4674: sē (PPro-DF2S) -- Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine.">your</a> <a href="/greek/1849.htm" title="1849: exousia (N-DFS) -- From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.">disposal?</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">How</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/5087.htm" title="5087: ethou (V-AIM-2S) -- To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.">could you conceive</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. ">such</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4229.htm" title="4229: pragma (N-ANS) -- A thing done, a deed, action; a matter, an affair. From prasso; a deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object.">a deed</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2588.htm" title="2588: kardia (N-DFS) -- Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.">heart?</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/5574.htm" title="5574: epseusō (V-AIM-2S) -- To deceive, lie, speak falsely. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood.">You have not lied</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpois (N-DMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">to men,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theō (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">to God!”</a> 5On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9</a> And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” <a href="/joshua/7-11.htm">Joshua 7:11</a> Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them, and they have taken some of what was devoted to destruction. Indeed, they have stolen and lied, and they have put these things with their own possessions. <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a> But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/2_samuel/12-9.htm">2 Samuel 12:9</a> Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. <a href="/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4</a> Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge. <a href="/proverbs/15-3.htm">Proverbs 15:3</a> The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. <a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Jeremiah 17:10</a> I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve. <a href="/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4</a> Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die. <a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">Malachi 3:8</a> Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings. <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a> No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. <a href="/matthew/12-31.htm">Matthew 12:31</a> Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. <a href="/luke/16-10.htm">Luke 16:10</a> Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. <a href="/luke/19-8.htm">Luke 19:8</a> But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.” <a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a> You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. <a href="/romans/2-2.htm">Romans 2:2</a> And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Whiles it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied to men, but to God.was it not thine.<a href="/exodus/35-21.htm">Exodus 35:21,22,29</a> And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments… <a href="/1_chronicles/29-3.htm">1 Chronicles 29:3,5,9,17</a> Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, … <a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8</a> But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.why.<a href="/acts/8-21.htm">Acts 8:21,22</a> Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God… <a href="/joshua/7-25.htm">Joshua 7:25,26</a> And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones… <a href="/job/15-35.htm">Job 15:35</a> They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.thou hast.<a href="/acts/5-3.htm">Acts 5:3</a> But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?<a href="/exodus/16-8.htm">Exodus 16:8</a> And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.<a href="/numbers/16-11.htm">Numbers 16:11</a> For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/4-8.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/john/18-36.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/hosea/9-16.htm">Cherished</a> <a href="/luke/2-21.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/luke/23-51.htm">Design</a> <a href="/matthew/26-53.htm">Disposal</a> <a href="/luke/24-17.htm">Exchange</a> <a href="/acts/5-3.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/acts/5-3.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/acts/5-3.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-12.htm">Lied</a> <a href="/acts/4-32.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/acts/5-3.htm">Money</a> <a href="/acts/4-33.htm">Power</a> <a href="/acts/5-1.htm">Property</a> <a href="/acts/4-28.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/john/1-43.htm">Purposed</a> <a href="/acts/5-1.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/john/21-25.htm">Think</a> <a href="/john/21-11.htm">Wasn't</a> <a href="/matthew/5-25.htm">Whiles</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/7-39.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/acts/27-23.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-10.htm">Cherished</a> <a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/acts/7-44.htm">Design</a> <a href="/genesis/47-6.htm">Disposal</a> <a href="/romans/1-26.htm">Exchange</a> <a href="/acts/5-31.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/acts/5-13.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/acts/23-21.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-3.htm">Lied</a> <a href="/acts/5-33.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/acts/5-8.htm">Money</a> <a href="/acts/6-7.htm">Power</a> <a href="/acts/28-7.htm">Property</a> <a href="/acts/5-28.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/acts/19-21.htm">Purposed</a> <a href="/acts/5-8.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/acts/8-20.htm">Think</a> <a href="/acts/28-5.htm">Wasn't</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-13.htm">Whiles</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 5</div>1. <a href="/acts/5-1.htm">After that Ananias and Sapphira his wife, </a> 3. <a href="/acts/5-3.htm">at Peter's rebuke had fallen down dead;</a> 12. <a href="/acts/5-12.htm">and that the rest of the apostles had wrought many miracles;</a> 14. <a href="/acts/5-14.htm">to the increase of the faith;</a> 17. <a href="/acts/5-17.htm">the apostles are again imprisoned;</a> 19. <a href="/acts/5-19.htm">but delivered by an angel bidding them preach openly to all;</a> 21. <a href="/acts/5-21.htm">when, after their teaching accordingly in the temple,</a> 29. <a href="/acts/5-29.htm">and before the council,</a> 33. <a href="/acts/5-33.htm">they are in danger to be killed; </a> 34. <a href="/acts/5-34.htm">but through the advice of Gamaliel, they are kept alive, and are only beaten;</a> 41. <a href="/acts/5-41.htm">for which they glorify God, and cease no day from preaching.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Did it not belong to you before it was sold? This phrase highlights the principle of personal property and stewardship. In the early church, believers voluntarily shared their possessions (<a href="/acts/4-32.htm">Acts 4:32-37</a>), but there was no compulsion to do so. The land Ananias sold was his own, emphasizing the freedom and responsibility of ownership. This reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are entrusted with resources by God and are accountable for their use (<a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a>, <a href="/psalms/24.htm">Psalm 24:1</a>).And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Even after the sale, Ananias had the freedom to decide what to do with the proceeds. This underscores the voluntary nature of giving in the early church. The issue was not the amount given but the deceit involved. This connects to the broader biblical theme of integrity and honesty in dealings (<a href="/proverbs/11.htm">Proverbs 11:1</a>, <a href="/2_corinthians/9-7.htm">2 Corinthians 9:7</a>).How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? This question addresses the internal motivation and the heart's role in sin. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of will and emotion (<a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a>, <a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19</a>). Ananias's sin was premeditated, showing a deliberate choice to deceive. This reflects the biblical teaching that sin originates in the heart and mind before manifesting in actions (<a href="/james/1-14.htm">James 1:14-15</a>).You have not lied to men, but to God! This statement emphasizes the gravity of Ananias's sin. While the lie was outwardly to the apostles, it was ultimately against God, highlighting the divine presence and authority within the church. This connects to the biblical understanding that God is omniscient and sees the heart (<a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>, <a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a>). It also underscores the Holy Spirit's role in the church, equating lying to the Spirit with lying to God, affirming the deity of the Holy Spirit (<a href="/john/14-16.htm">John 14:16-17</a>, <a href="/acts/5-3.htm">Acts 5:3</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/ananias_and_sapphira.htm">Ananias and Sapphira</a> A married couple in the early church who sold a piece of property but deceitfully withheld part of the proceeds while claiming to donate the entire amount to the apostles. 2. <a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter</a> One of Jesus' apostles and a leader in the early church, who confronts Ananias about his deceit. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_early_church_in_jerusalem.htm">The Early Church in Jerusalem</a> The community of believers who shared their possessions and lived in unity, as described in the preceding chapters of Acts. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_holy_spirit.htm">The Holy Spirit</a> The third person of the Trinity, to whom Ananias and Sapphira lied, as emphasized by Peter. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_deception.htm">The Event of Deception</a> The act of Ananias and Sapphira lying about the proceeds from the sale of their property, which led to their deaths as a divine judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a> Sin is not just a social or moral failing but an offense against God. Ananias and Sapphira's account reminds us of the gravity of deceit and hypocrisy. <a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_stewardship.htm">Integrity in Stewardship</a> As stewards of God's resources, we must handle them with integrity and transparency, recognizing that all we have is ultimately God's. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> The Holy Spirit is actively involved in the life of believers, and lying to the Spirit is a serious offense. We must cultivate a relationship of honesty and openness with the Spirit. <a href="/topical/c/community_accountability.htm">Community Accountability</a> The early church was a community of accountability. We, too, should foster environments where truth is upheld, and deceit is lovingly confronted. <a href="/topical/t/the_heart's_intentions.htm">The Heart's Intentions</a> God sees beyond our actions to the intentions of our hearts. We must regularly examine our motives and align them with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 5</a> <a href="/q/what_happened_to_ananias_and_sapphira.htm">What happened to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_angels.htm">What does the Bible say about angels?</a> <a href="/q/acts_5_1-11__can_lying_cause_sudden_death.htm">Acts 5:1–11: How can two people suddenly die for lying, and is there any historical or medical evidence supporting such an event? </a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_socialism.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on socialism?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Whiles it remained . . .--Fresh circumstances are pressed home, as depriving the act of every possible excuse. Ananias had not been bound by any rule of the Church to such a gift. At every stage he was free to act as he thought best; and had he brought part as part, or even brought nothing, he would have been free from any special blame. As it was, the attempt to obtain the reputation of saintliness without the reality of sacrifice, involved him in the guilt at once of sacrilege, though there had been no formal consecration, and of perjury, though there had been no formulated oath.Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.--The parallelism between this and "lying to the Holy Ghost" in <a href="/acts/5-3.htm" title="But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?">Acts 5:3</a> has often been used, and perfectly legitimately, as a proof that while the Apostles thought of the Spirit as sent by the Father, and therefore distinct in His personality, they yet did not shrink from speaking of Him as God, and so identifying Him with the Divine Essential Being.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Did it not remain for was it not, A.V.; thy for thine own, A.V.; how is it that thou hast for why hast thou, A.V.; thy heart for thine heart, A.V. Did it not remain, etc.? The exact meaning is - Did it not remain to thee? i.e. unsold it was thine, and when sold the price of it was thine. There was no compulsion as regards giving it away. The act was one of deliberate hypocrisy - an attempt to deceive God himself. <a href="/commentaries/acts/5-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Did it not belong ἔμενεν (emenen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay. to you σοὶ (soi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. before it was sold? μένον (menon) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay. And καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. after it was sold, πραθὲν (prathen) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4097.htm">Strong's 4097: </a> A reduplicated and prolonged form of prao; contracted from perao; to traffic, i.e. Dispose of as merchandise or into slavery. was it [not] ὑπῆρχεν (hypērchen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5225.htm">Strong's 5225: </a> To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb). at ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [your] σῇ (sē) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4674.htm">Strong's 4674: </a> Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine. disposal? ἐξουσίᾳ (exousia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1849.htm">Strong's 1849: </a> From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence. How τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. could you conceive ἔθου (ethou) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5087.htm">Strong's 5087: </a> To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place. such τοῦτο (touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. a deed πρᾶγμα (pragma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4229.htm">Strong's 4229: </a> A thing done, a deed, action; a matter, an affair. From prasso; a deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. heart? καρδίᾳ (kardia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2588.htm">Strong's 2588: </a> Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle. You have not lied ἐψεύσω (epseusō) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5574.htm">Strong's 5574: </a> To deceive, lie, speak falsely. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood. to men, ἀνθρώποις (anthrōpois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. to God!” Θεῷ (Theō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/5-4.htm">Acts 5:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/5-4.htm">Acts 5:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/5-4.htm">Acts 5:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/5-4.htm">Acts 5:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/5-4.htm">Acts 5:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/5-4.htm">Acts 5:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/5-4.htm">Acts 5:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/5-4.htm">Acts 5:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/5-4.htm">Acts 5:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/5-4.htm">Acts 5:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/5-4.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 5:4 While you kept it didn't it remain (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/5-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 5:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 5:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/5-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 5:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 5:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>