Acts 5

King James Version

Full text for Acts Chapter 5

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

2And kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy [to it], and brought a certain part, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.

3But 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?

4Whiles 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.

5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried [him] out, and buried [him].

7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10Then 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.

11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

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

13And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

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

15Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid [them] on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16There came also a multitude [out] of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

17¶ Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

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

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

21And when they heard [that], they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

22But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

23Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

25Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

26¶ Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

27And when they had brought them, they set [them] before the council: and the high priest asked them,

28Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

29Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

31Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

33When they heard [that], they were cut [to the heart], and took counsel to slay them.

34Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

35And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

36For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

37After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, [even] as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

38And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten [them], they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The chapter begins with Ananias and Sapphira dying instantly after lying to the Holy Ghost about their offering, instilling great fear in the early church. Subsequently, the apostles perform many signs and wonders, leading to the growth of believers. The high priest and Sadducees imprison the apostles, but an angel miraculously releases them, commanding them to continue preaching. Brought before the council again, Peter declares they must obey God rather than men, leading to Gamaliel's counsel to leave them alone, lest they fight against God.

Medium Summary

Acts 5 opens with the severe judgment upon Ananias and Sapphira, who died after attempting to deceive the Holy Ghost regarding the sale of their property, causing great fear among all who heard. Following this, the apostles continued to perform numerous signs and wonders, healing the sick and casting out unclean spirits, which led to a significant increase in believers. This growing influence provoked the high priest and Sadducees to imprison the apostles. However, an angel of the Lord miraculously opened the prison doors by night, instructing them to return to the temple and boldly preach. When brought before the council again, Peter and the apostles declared their unwavering commitment to obey God rather than men, proclaiming Jesus as the exalted Prince and Saviour. Though the council sought to slay them, Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, advised caution, suggesting that if their work was of God, it could not be overthrown. Consequently, the apostles were beaten and released, yet they rejoiced in suffering for Christ's name and continued daily to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Long Summary

The fifth chapter of Acts commences with the account of Ananias and Sapphira, who, having sold a possession, conspired to keep back part of the price while presenting a portion as if it were the whole. Peter confronted Ananias, revealing his lie to the Holy Ghost, not merely to men, which resulted in Ananias's immediate death. Three hours later, Sapphira, unaware of her husband's fate, repeated the deception and likewise fell down dead, instilling great fear throughout the nascent church. Despite this solemn event, the apostles continued to perform many signs and wonders among the people, gathering in Solomon's porch, and their power was such that the sick were brought into the streets, hoping even Peter's shadow might heal them. Multitudes of believers were added to the Lord, and all who were vexed with unclean spirits were healed. This burgeoning influence and the apostles' public ministry provoked the high priest and the sect of the Sadducees, who were filled with indignation and imprisoned the apostles. However, an angel of the Lord miraculously opened the prison doors during the night, commanding the apostles to return to the temple and speak "all the words of this life" to the people. The next morning, the council, finding the prison empty despite being securely shut, was perplexed until informed that the apostles were teaching in the temple. Brought before the council, Peter and the other apostles boldly declared, "We ought to obey God rather than men," asserting that God had raised Jesus, whom they had slain, and exalted Him as a Prince and a Saviour to grant repentance and forgiveness. Enraged, the council sought to slay them, but Gamaliel, a respected doctor of the law, intervened. He advised caution, recounting historical examples of movements that failed when not of God, and warned that if this work was indeed of God, they would be found fighting against Him. Persuaded by Gamaliel, the council agreed, but after beating the apostles and commanding them not to speak in Jesus' name, they released them. The apostles, however, departed rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name, and daily, in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Core Concepts

  • Divine JudgmentThe immediate deaths of Ananias and Sapphira for lying to the Holy Ghost about their offering demonstrate God's severe judgment against deceit within the early Christian community. This event instilled great fear among all who heard it, emphasizing the sanctity of truth before God.
  • Apostolic Authority and MiraclesThe apostles, empowered by God, performed numerous signs and wonders, including healing the sick and casting out unclean spirits, even to the extent that people sought healing from Peter's shadow. These miracles affirmed their divine commission and led to the widespread growth of believers.
  • Persecution and Divine DeliveranceThe high priest and Sadducees imprisoned the apostles due to their indignation over their teachings and influence. However, an angel of the Lord miraculously opened the prison doors by night, delivering them and commanding them to continue their public ministry in the temple.
  • Obedience to God over MenWhen commanded by the Jewish council to cease teaching in Jesus' name, Peter and the other apostles boldly declared, "We ought to obey God rather than men." This statement established a fundamental principle of Christian conscience in the face of human authority.
  • The Exalted ChristPeter's defense before the council proclaimed that God had raised Jesus, whom they had slain, and exalted Him with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour. This exaltation was for the purpose of giving repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
  • Gamaliel's Prudent CounselGamaliel, a respected Pharisee and doctor of the law, advised the council against rash action, suggesting that if the apostles' work was merely human, it would fail, but if it was of God, they would be unable to overthrow it and might even be found fighting against God. His counsel led to the apostles' release, albeit after a beating.
  • Rejoicing in Suffering for ChristAfter being beaten and commanded not to speak in Jesus' name, the apostles departed from the council rejoicing. They considered themselves worthy to suffer shame for His name, demonstrating a profound commitment and joy in enduring hardship for their faith.