Ananias and Sapphira

1Now a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a property, 2and he kept back from the proceeds, also the wife being aware of it, and having brought a certain portion, he laid it at the feet of the apostles.

3But Peter said, “Ananias, because of why has Satan filled your heart for you to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back from the proceeds of the land? 4Remaining, 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!”

5And hearing these words, Ananias, having fallen down, breathed his last. And great fear came upon all those hearing. 6And the younger men having arisen, covered him, and having carried him out, buried him.

7Now it came to pass about three hours afterward, his wife also came in, not knowing that having come to pass. 8And Peter replied to her, “Tell me if you sold the land for so much?”

And she said, “Yes, for so much.”

9But Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those having buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

10And immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men having come in, found her dead; and having carried her out, they buried her by her husband. 11And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all those hearing these things.

The Apostles Heal Many

12Now many signs and wonders were happening among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13Now none of the rest dared to join them, but the people were magnifying them. 14And more believing in the Lord were added, multitudes both of men and women, 15so as even to bring out the sick into the streets, and to put them on cots and mats, that of Peter coming, at least the shadow might envelop some of them. 16Now the multitude from the cities surrounding Jerusalem also were coming together, bringing the sick and those being tormented by unclean spirits, who were all healed.

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

17But the high priest, having risen up, and all those with him (being the sect of the Sadducees) were filled with jealousy, 18and they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord, having opened the doors of the jail, having brought them out, also said, 20“Go, and having stood in the temple, speak to the people all the words of this life.”

21And having heard, they entered into the temple at the dawn and were teaching.

Now the high priest having come, and those with him, called together the Council, even the whole Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison house to bring them. 22But the officers, having come, did not find them in the prison. And having returned, they reported back, 23saying, “We found the prison house shut, with all security, and the guards standing before the doors; but having opened them, we found no one inside.”

The Apostles Before the Council

24Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed concerning them, what this might be. 25And a certain one having come, reported to them, “Behold, the men whom you put in the prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

26Then the captain, having gone with the officers, was bringing them, not with force, for they were afraid of the people lest they might be stoned. 27And having brought them, they set them in the Council. And the high priest asked them, 28saying, “By a charge we commanded you not to teach in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring upon us the blood of this man.”

29But Peter and the apostles answering said, “It is necessary to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, having hanged Him on a tree. 31God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are witnesses of these things, and also the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those obeying Him.”

Gamaliel's Advice

33And having heard, they were cut to the heart and were desiring to put them to death. 34But a certain man having risen up in the Council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law honored by all the people, commanded them to put the men outside for a short while.

35And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you are about to do with these men. 36For before these days, Theudas rose up, affirming himself to be somebody—to whom a number of men, about four hundred, were joined—who was put to death, and all, as many as were persuaded by him, were dispersed; and it came to nothing. 37After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the registration and drew away people after him. And he perished, and all, as many as were persuaded by him, were scattered.

38And now I say to you, withdraw from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this work is from men, it will be overthrown. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow it, lest ever also you would be found fighting against God.”

40And they were persuaded by him. And having called in the apostles, having beaten them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and they released them.

41Therefore indeed they departed from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. 42And every day, in the temple and in every house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.