People's New Testament But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 5:1 The Sin and Punishment of Ananias and Sapphira
SUMMARY OF ACTS 5: The Deceit and Death of Ananias. Of Sapphira. The Increase of the Church. The Signs and Wonders. The Rage of the High Priest and the Sadducees. The Imprisonment of the Apostles. The Prison Doors Opened. Teaching in the Temple. Again Arrested and Threatened. Their Bold Answer. The Resolve of the Sanhedrin to Slay Them. The Wise Counsel of Gamaliel. The Apostles Beaten and Let Go. But. Amid the peace, grace and abounding liberality of the church there was one dark spot. The sin and fate of Ananias and his wife must be recorded. And 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. 5:2 Kept back part of the price. Like many others, of their own accord they sold a possession for the benefit of the church. They were not compelled to sell it, or when sold to give the money, or to give all. Their sin was not withholding a part, but lying about it. (1) They gave from the wrong motives, not for the Lord, but for human praise. (2) There was hypocrisy and falsehood.
His wife also being privy to it. Hence equally guilty. There was a guilty conspiracy between them. Brought a certain part. Pretending it was all. His was a deliberate, public lie. 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? 5:3,4 To lie to the Holy Spirit. The sin is here pointed out. The lie was not to men, but to God. The apostles were moved by the Holy Spirit. These verses show clearly that (1) the sin was hypocrisy and deception in the name of religion, and (2) that the gifts of goods were purely voluntary.
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. 5:3,4 To lie to the Holy Spirit. The sin is here pointed out. The lie was not to men, but to God. The apostles were moved by the Holy Spirit. These verses show clearly that (1) the sin was hypocrisy and deception in the name of religion, and (2) that the gifts of goods were purely voluntary.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 5:5 Ananias... gave up the ghost. Fell down and expired. There was a visible judgment upon him for his great sin. It was inflicted by the Holy Spirit through Peter, and shows how hypocrisy is regarded by the Lord.
Great fear came on all. Severe examples occurred at the outset of both Dispensations. Note the case of Nadab and Abihu (Le 10:1,2) and the sin of Achan (Jos 7:16-25). And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 5:6 The young men arose, wound him up. Wrapped his mantle tightly around him.
Carried him out. Of the place of meeting and out of the city for burial. And buried him. It was common, in the warm climate of Palestine, to bury on the day of death. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 5:7 His wife... came in. To the place of assembly, not having heard of her husband's fate, but full of his spirit.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 5:8,9 Whether ye sold the land for so much? Naming the amount offered by Ananias.
Yea, so much. Instead of the confession that would have saved her, she persisted in the agreed upon, died as Ananias had died, and was buried in the same tomb. Then 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. 5:8,9 Whether ye sold the land for so much? Naming the amount offered by Ananias.
Yea, so much. Instead of the confession that would have saved her, she persisted in the agreed upon, died as Ananias had died, and was buried in the same tomb. Then 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. 5:10 The young men came in. It had required three hours to carry Ananias out of the city to the tomb and return. The gloomy incident occurred and is recorded for a wise purpose: to teach the church in the outset that even if we can deceive men, we cannot hope to deceive God. It is an example.
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 5:11 Great fear came upon all the church. Not of outward enemies, but of so sinning as to invoke the punishment of God. It was a salutary fear.
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. 5:12 By the hands of the apostles were many signs. Note that no one thus far has miraculous power but the apostles. The gift of miracles was not general. When it was imparted to others, we learn how it was imparted. See Ac 6:8 8:6,14.
All with one accord in Solomon's porch. The apostles, in order to preach. See Ac 3:11. The brethren also with them. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 5:13 Of the rest. Of their enemies. That the phrase does not include all who were not Christians is shown by what follows in Ac 5:14. Multitudes of converts were constantly made.
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 5:14 Both of men and women. This is one of a number of instances in which women are named in early church history. As remarked elsewhere, at first the converts were mainly men. See PNT Ac 4:4. Now there are also women.
Insomuch 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. 5:15,16 They brought forth the sick into the streets. The fame of the miracles, and especially of Peter's, caused this to be done.
The shadow of Peter. It is not said that the shadow of Peter falling on them did any good, but the people supposed it might. The object is to show the great favor of the apostles with the people. It was a time, however, when multitudes of miracles were wrought. There 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. 5:15,16 They brought forth the sick into the streets. The fame of the miracles, and especially of Peter's, caused this to be done.
The shadow of Peter. It is not said that the shadow of Peter falling on them did any good, but the people supposed it might. The object is to show the great favor of the apostles with the people. It was a time, however, when multitudes of miracles were wrought. 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, 5:17 Then the high priest rose up. Was stirred to action. Annas is, no doubt, meant. See PNT Ac 4:6.
All they that were with him. His sect, the Sadducees, co-operated with him. They were determined to stop the preaching of the resurrection. See PNT Ac 4:1. And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 5:18 Put them in the common prison. In the city jail, among malefactors. Van Lenneps says:
The common prison, corresponding to our jail, consists of a single room in the governor's cellar, with a floor of earth, and one small window, where all manner of people, from the murderer to the insolent debtor, are promiscuously crowded together. The only furniture consists of a bench, always occupied by the strongest; the rest lie on the floor, or stand. We have visited prisons of this kind where we could only stand a few moments upon the threshold on account of the foul air. The keepers remain outside of the door (Ac 5:23), but the prisoners are not bound.'' But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 5:19 The angel of the Lord by night opened. The language would apply, if the doors were opened by any providential agency, but the messenger was probably a celestial one.
Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 5:20 Go, stand and speak in the temple. They were to return at once to their interrupted work. It would give a powerful impulse for the imprisoned preachers to be at their place and work the next morning.
This life. The eternal life denied by the Sadducees. See PNT Mt 22:23. And 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. 5:21 Called the council. The Sanhedrin, for the trial of the apostles, supposing them still in prison.
All the senate. Many think that a body of elders and other influential leaders were called to assist in the deliberations. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
Saying, 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. 5:23 The prison truly found we shut. All was as usual and the guards before the doors, but the prisoners gone.
Now 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.
Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 5:25 Then came one and told them. The mystery was explained by the word that, as usual, the apostles were preaching in the temple.
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 5:26 Brought them without violence. The favor of the people for the apostles was so shown that they feared a tumult.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 5:27 The high priest asked them. As president.
Saying, 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. 5:28 Did not we straitly command you, etc. He charges (1) that they had disregarded the authority of the Sanhedrin; (2) they had filled Jerusalem with their doctrine; (3) they would work up the people to indignation against the rulers for condemning Christ.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 5:29-32 Then Peter... answered. Peter's defense asserts (1) that God must be obeyed rather than earthly rulers; (2) God raised up Jesus whom they hanged on the cross; (3) exalted him to his right hand; (4) to be a Prince and Savior, to grant Israel the opportunity to repent, and to obtain forgiveness; (5) that they were witnesses of these facts, and so was the Holy Spirit.
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 5:29-32 Then Peter... answered. Peter's defense asserts (1) that God must be obeyed rather than earthly rulers; (2) God raised up Jesus whom they hanged on the cross; (3) exalted him to his right hand; (4) to be a Prince and Savior, to grant Israel the opportunity to repent, and to obtain forgiveness; (5) that they were witnesses of these facts, and so was the Holy Spirit.
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 5:29-32 Then Peter... answered. Peter's defense asserts (1) that God must be obeyed rather than earthly rulers; (2) God raised up Jesus whom they hanged on the cross; (3) exalted him to his right hand; (4) to be a Prince and Savior, to grant Israel the opportunity to repent, and to obtain forgiveness; (5) that they were witnesses of these facts, and so was the Holy Spirit.
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 5:32 Given to them that obey Him. The Holy Spirit is given only to those who have submitted to the Lord (Ac 2:28 Joh 7:38,39). It dwells only in the obedient heart.
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 5:33 Cut to the heart. Convulsed with rage, not sorrow.
Took counsel to slay them. Concerning the expediency of putting them to death. Then 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; 5:34 A Pharisee, named Gamaliel. Observe that it is a Pharisee that opposes violence. Gamaliel was the most distinguished Jewish rabbi of this time. His fame is preserved in the Talmud. He was a grandson of Hillel, a still more famous teacher. Paul was his pupil (Ac 22:3).
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 5:35-39 Ye men of Israel, take heed. Gamaliel's temperate and wise speech advises (1) deliberation; (2) if they were impostors their movement would come to nought like that of other impostors, if let alone; (3) but if of God, it could not be overthrown.
For 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. 5:36 Theudas. Some leader, only mentioned here, probably raising a commotion in the disturbances that followed the death of Herod the Great.
After 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. 5:37 Judas of Galilee. A zealot who had opposed the payment of tribute not many years before, in A.D. 8, and was overthrown and slain. He is named by Josephus.
And 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:
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
And 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. 5:40 To him they agreed. He carried the Sanhedrin with him.
Called the apostles, and beaten them. While rejecting the punishment of death, they decided to scourge them for disobedience. Scourging was often inflicted even by the rulers of the synagogues. The scourging was on the bare back, and bloody and cruel. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 5:41 Rejoicing. This was their first experience of physical torture for Christ, but not the last, and it gave them joy to suffer for one who had suffered for them. One of the features of the early church was the welcome given to shame, suffering and martyrdom endured for Christ's sake.
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. 5:42 Daily in the temple. Undeterred by suffering and threats, they still preached the cross in the most public place in Jerusalem, as well as from house to house. The People's New Testament by B.W. Johnson [1891] Bible Hub |
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