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The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible

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!"

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Ananias;   Communism;   Death;   Falsehood;   Holy Spirit;   Hypocrisy;   Land;   Peter;   Sapphira;   Vows;   Women;   Thompson Chain Reference - Bible Stories for Children;   Children;   Home;   Pleasant Sunday Afternoons;   Religion;   Stories for Children;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Covetousness;   Holy Spirit, the, Is God;   Hypocrites;   Judgments;   Offences against the Holy Spirit;   Reproof;   Titles and Names of the Holy Spirit;   Trinity, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ananias;   Discerning of Spirits;   Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost;   Peter;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Apostle;   Giving;   Holy spirit;   Lie;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Collection;   Discipline;   Lie, Lying;   Money;   Punishment;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Covetousness;   Holy Ghost;   Judgments of God;   Trinity;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Judgments of God;   Sapphira;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Alms;   Discerning of Spirits;   Holy Spirit, the;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Ananias;   Death;   Excommunication;   Heart;   Holy;   Hypocrisy;   Peter;   Unity;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Communion;   Mark, Gospel According to;   Peter;   Sadducees;   Scribes;   Spiritual Gifts;   Trinity;   Wealth;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Ananias ;   Brotherly Love;   Community of Goods;   Discipline;   Essenes;   Peter;   Peter (2);   Property (2);   Quotations;   Socialism;   Timothy and Titus Epistles to;   Tithes ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ananias ;   God;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Ananias;   Chief parables and miracles in the bible;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Anani'as;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Conceive;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Holy Ghost;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ananias (1);   Authority in Religion;   Burial;   Community of Goods;   Covetousness;   Lie;   Papyrus;   Peter, the First Epistle of;   Sapphira;   Text and Manuscripts of the New Testament;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Ananias;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Didascalia;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for April 12;   Today's Word from Skip Moen - Devotion for October 18;  

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
The property belonged to you to do as you wanted. You could have sold it and kept all the money, but you said you'd donate it all. You didn't just lie to us. You lied to God."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"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."
Legacy Standard Bible
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."
Bible in Basic English
While you had it, was it not your property? and after you had given it in exchange, was it not still in your power? how has this purpose come into your mind? you have been false, not to men, but to God.
Darby Translation
While it remained did it not remain to *thee*? and sold, was [it not] in thine own power? Why is it that thou hast purposed this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.
New King James Version
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."
Christian Standard Bible®
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 men but to God!"
World English Bible
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."
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, did it not remain thine? And when 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.
Weymouth's New Testament
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."
King James Version (1611)
Whiles it remained, was it not thine owne? and after it was sold, was it not in thine owne power? why hast thou conceiued this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied vnto men, but vnto God.
Literal Translation
Remaining, did it not remain yours? And being sold, was it not in your authority? Why is it that this action was put into your heart? You did not lie to men, but to God!
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Mightest thou not haue kepte it, whan thou haddest it? And whan it was solde, the money was also in thy power: Why hast thou then conceaued this thinge in thine hert? Thou hast not lyed vnto me, but vnto God.
Mace New Testament (1729)
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.
Amplified Bible
"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."
American Standard Version
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 hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Revised Standard Version
While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Pertayned it not vnto the only and after it was solde was not the pryce in thyne awne power? How is it that thou hast coceaved this thinge in thyne herte? Thou hast not lyed vnto men but vnto God.
Update Bible Version
While it remained, did it not remain your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied to men, but to God.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
Young's Literal Translation
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;'
New Century Version
Before you sold the land, it belonged to you. And even after you sold it, you could have used the money any way you wanted. Why did you think of doing this? You lied to God, not to us!"
New English Translation
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!"
Contemporary English Version
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!"
Complete Jewish Bible
Before you sold it, the property was yours; and after you sold it, the money was yours to use as you pleased. So what made you decide to do such a thing? You have lied not to human beings but to God!"
English Standard Version
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."
Geneva Bible (1587)
Whiles it remained, appertained it not vnto thee? and after it was solde, was it not in thine owne power? howe is it that thou hast conceiued this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lyed vnto men, but vnto God.
George Lamsa Translation
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.
Hebrew Names Version
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."
International Standard Version
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 conceived such a thing in your heart? You did not lie to men but to God!"
Etheridge Translation
Was it not thine own until it should be sold ? and when it was sold thou hadst yet power over the price of it. Why hast thou laid up in thy heart to do this thing ? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto Aloha !
Murdock Translation
Was it not thine own before it was sold? And when sold, again thou hadst authority over the price of it. Why hast thou set thy heart to do this purpose? Thou hast not lied against men, but against God.
New Living Translation
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!"
New Life Bible
Was not the land yours before you sold it? After it was sold, you could have done what you wanted to do with the money. Why did you allow your heart to do this? You have lied to God, not to men."
English Revised Version
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.
New Revised Standard
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!"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
While it remained, was it not, as thine own, it remained? and, when sold, was it not, in thine own authority, that it still continued? Why was it that thou didst contrive in thy heart this deed? Thou hast not dealt falsely with men but, with God.
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
When it remained to you, did it not remain yours? And when it was sold, was it at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people, but to God!"
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Whyles it remayned, was it not thyne owne? And after it was solde, was it not in thyne owne power? Why haste thou conceaued this thyng in thyne heart? Thou hast not lyed vnto men, but vnto God.
Easy-to-Read Version
Before you sold the field, it belonged to you, right? And even after you sold it, you could have used the money any way you wanted. How could you even think of doing such a thing? You lied to God, not to us!"
New American Standard Bible
"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."
Good News Translation
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!"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Whethir it vnseld was not thin; and whanne it was seld, it was in thi power? Whi hast thou put this thing in thin herte? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.

Contextual Overview

1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2With his wife's full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles' feet. 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? 4Did 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!"5On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened. 6Then the young men stepped forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7About three hours later his wife also came in, unaware of what had happened. 8"Tell me," said Peter, "is this the price you and your husband got for the land?" "Yes," she answered, "that is the price." 9"How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?" Peter replied. "Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." 10At that instant she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and found her dead. So they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

was it not thine: Exodus 35:21, Exodus 35:22, Exodus 35:29, 1 Chronicles 29:3, 1 Chronicles 29:5, 1 Chronicles 29:9, 1 Chronicles 29:17, 1 Corinthians 8:8, 1 Corinthians 9:5-17, Philemon 1:14

why: Acts 8:21, Acts 8:22, Joshua 7:25, Joshua 7:26, Job 15:35, Psalms 7:14, Isaiah 59:4, Ezekiel 38:10, *marg. James 1:15

thou hast: Acts 5:3, Exodus 16:8, Numbers 16:11, 1 Samuel 8:7, 2 Kings 5:25-27, Psalms 139:4, Luke 10:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:9 - I know Exodus 8:29 - deal Exodus 20:17 - is thy neighbour's Leviticus 6:2 - lie Leviticus 19:11 - lie one Leviticus 27:16 - of a field 1 Kings 22:22 - a lying spirit 2 Kings 5:22 - My master 2 Chronicles 1:11 - this was Job 15:12 - thine heart Psalms 139:3 - and art acquainted Ecclesiastes 5:5 - General Isaiah 32:6 - and his heart Isaiah 33:11 - conceive Isaiah 59:13 - lying Matthew 9:4 - Wherefore Matthew 26:72 - with Mark 7:21 - out Acts 2:44 - had Acts 5:9 - to tempt Ephesians 4:25 - putting 1 Timothy 6:9 - which

Cross-References

Genesis 1:28
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth."
Genesis 5:1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in His own likeness.
Genesis 5:3
When Adam was 130 years old, he had a son in his own likeness, after his own image; and he named him Seth.
Genesis 5:7
And after he had become the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:10
And after he had become the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:13
And after he had become the father of Mahalaleel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:19
And after he had become the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:22
And after he had become the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:26
And after he had become the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:30
And after he had become the father of Noah, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own,.... Before it was sold, it was his own proper estate; he had the sole propriety in it, and could have kept it, or disposed of it as he pleased: he was not obliged to sell it, he might have kept it as his own property; for selling of possessions at this time was a voluntary thing; it was what no man was forced to; it was a pure act of liberality, and what was not enjoined by the apostles; every man was left to his liberty.

And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? that is, the price for which it was sold: before he had declared that he sold it, in order to give the whole of it to the church, had brought it to the apostles as the whole; it was in his own power to dispose of, as he pleased, whether to give the whole, or a part of it, or it. He might have kept it all if he had thought fit, or have given what portion he pleased.

Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? for though Satan had an hand in it, and greatly solicited him to it, and spirited him up to do it, yet in conjunction with his own heart; and perhaps it began there, which Satan helped forward. It was not so of Satan as to excuse the wickedness of his heart. It was owing partly to the sin of covetousness, which reigned in him, and partly to a desire of vain glory, and being thought a very religious man, that he acted such a part, and was so notoriously guilty of lying and hypocrisy.

Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God; that is, not to men only, for he had lied to the apostles; but to God also, to the Holy Ghost, who is truly and properly God, of which this passage is a full proof; and it was owing to his omniscience, which is a peculiar attribute of deity, that this wicked man, and this fraud of his, were discovered.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Whiles it remained - As long as it remained unsold. This place proves that there was no “obligation” imposed on the disciples to sell their property. They who did it, did it voluntarily; and it does not appear that it was done by all, or expected to be done by all.

And after it was sold ... - Even after the property was sold, and Ananias had the money, still there was no obligation on him to devote it in this way. He had the disposal of it still. The apostle mentions this to show him that his offence was especially aggravated. He was not “compelled” to sell his property - he had not even the poor pretence that he was “obliged” to dispose of it, and was “tempted” to withhold it for his own use. It was “all” his, and might have been retained if he had chosen.

Thou hast not lied unto men - Unto people “only,” or, it is not your “main” and “chief” offence that you have attempted to deceive people. It is true that Ananias “had” attempted to deceive the apostles, and it is true, also, that this was a crime; but still, the principal magnitude of the offence was that he had attempted to deceive “God.” So small was his crime as committed against “men” that it was lost sight of by the apostles, and the great, crowning sin of attempting to deceive “God” was brought fully into view. Thus, David also saw his sin as committed against “God” to be so enormous that he lost sight of it as an offence to man, and said, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight,” Psalms 51:4.

But unto God - It has been “particularly” and “eminently” against God. This is true, because:

  1. He had professedly “devoted” it to God. The act, therefore, had express and direct reference to him.

(2)It was an attempt to deceive him. It implied the belief of Ananias that God would not detect the crime, or see the motives of the heart.

(3)It is the prerogative of God to judge of sincerity and hypocrisy; and this was a case, therefore, which came under his special notice. Compare Psalms 139:1-4. The word “God” here is evidently used in its plain and obvious sense as denoting the “supreme divinity,” and the use of the word here shows that the Holy Spirit is “divine.” The whole passage demonstrates, therefore, one of the important doctrines of the Christian religion, that the Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father and the Son, and yet is divine.



Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 5:4. Whiles it remained, was it not thine own?Acts 5:2; Acts 5:2, and Acts 2:44; Acts 2:44.


 
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