Acts 5:1

Mace New Testament

Now there was a certain man named Ananias who with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
There was a man named Ananias. His wife's name was Sapphira. Ananias sold some land he had,

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
A certayne man named Ananias with Saphira his wyfe solde a possession

Hebrew Names Version
But a certain man named Hananyah, with Shappirah, his wife, sold a possession,

International Standard Version
But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold some property.

New American Standard Bible
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

New Century Version
But a man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold some land.

Update Bible Version
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Webster's Bible Translation
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

English Standard Version
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

World English Bible
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession,

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Weymouth's New Testament
There was a man of the name of Ananias who, with his wife Sapphira, sold some property but,

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But a man, Anany bi name, with Safira, his wijf,

English Revised Version
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Berean Standard Bible
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.

Contemporary English Version
Ananias and his wife Sapphira also sold a piece of property.

Amplified Bible
Now a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

American Standard Version
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Bible in Basic English
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, got money for his property,

Complete Jewish Bible
But there was a man named Hananyah who, with his wife Shappirah, sold some property

Darby Translation
But a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Etheridge Translation
AND a certain man whose name was Hanania, with his wife whose name was Shaphira, sold a field,

Murdock Translation
And a certain man whose name was Ananias, with his wife whose name was Sapphira, sold his field,

King James Version (1611)
But a certaine man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, solde a possession,

New Living Translation
But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.

New Life Bible
A man by the name of Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold some land.

New Revised Standard
But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property;

Geneva Bible (1587)
Bvt a certaine man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, solde a possession,

George Lamsa Translation
BUT a certain man called An-a-ni''as, to gether with his wife named Shapphi''ra, sold his field.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Douay-Rheims Bible
But a certain man named Ananias, with Saphira his wife, sold a piece of land,

Revised Standard Version
But a man named Anani'as with his wife Sapphi'ra sold a piece of property,

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But a certayne man, named Ananias, with Saphyra his wyfe, solde a possession,

Good News Translation
But there was a man named Ananias, who with his wife Sapphira sold some property that belonged to them.

Christian Standard Bible®
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.

King James Version
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Lexham English Bible
Now a certain man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

Literal Translation
But a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a property,

Young's Literal Translation
And a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But a certayne man named Ananias with Saphira his wife, solde his possession,

THE MESSAGE
But a man named Ananias—his wife, Sapphira, conniving in this with him—sold a piece of land, secretly kept part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the apostles and made an offering of it.

New English Translation
Now a man named Ananias, together with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property.

New King James Version
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Now there was a married couple who promised to sell a piece of property to raise money for Pete, John, and the rest of the cowboys.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

Legacy Standard Bible
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

Contextual Overview

¹ Now there was a certain man named Ananias who with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, ² and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought the rest which he laid at the apostles feet. ³ upon which Peter said, Ananias, how could satan inspire thine heart to lye to the holy ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? ⁴ 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. ⁵ at these words Ananias fell down dead upon the spot: which struck the minds of all that heard of it with great dread. ⁶ and some young men came and wound him up, then carried him out, and buried him. ⁷ about the space of three hours after, his wife, not knowing what had happen'd, came in. ⁸ when Peter addressing himself to her, tell me, said he, have you sold the land for such a price? yes, said she, for so much. ⁹ then Peter said to her, how comes it that you have conspir'd together, to tempt the spirit of the Lord? see there at the door the men that are come from burying thy husband, and they shall carry thee out likewise. ¹⁰ in the instant she fell down dead at his feet: and the young men came in, found her dead, carried her out, and buried her by her husband.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Cir, am 4038, ad 34, Leviticus 10:1-3, Joshua 6:1, Matthew 13:47, Matthew 13:48, John 6:37, 2 Timothy 2:20

Reciprocal: Joshua 7:11 - dissembled Joshua 7:18 - was taken 1 Kings 13:5 - General Psalms 101:7 - He that worketh Malachi 1:14 - cursed Matthew 12:44 - he findeth Matthew 13:22 - the care Luke 14:33 - General Acts 2:45 - sold Acts 4:34 - for Acts 4:37 - sold 2 Corinthians 13:8 - General 1 Timothy 5:24 - General James 1:15 - when

Cross-References

Matthew 1:1
The History of the life of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

1 Corinthians 11:7
A man ought not to be veil'd: he has the honour of being invested with authority from God, and may glory in his priority to the woman.

2 Corinthians 3:18
but as we lay aside the veil, the divine light gradually informs the mind, according as we attend to that spiritual sense, which points out the Lord.

Ephesians 4:24
after the image of God, in justice, sanctity, and truth.

Colossians 3:10
improv'd by knowledge into a resemblance of him, who made this change:

Hebrews 1:3
who being the radiation of his glory, and the imprest image of his substance, and governing all things by his powerful command, after having himself made expiation for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the divine majesty in the highest heavens.

Hebrews 12:9
when our natural parents corrected us, we gave them reverence: is it not much more reasonable to be in subjection to the father of spirits, in order to have life?

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But a certain man named Ananias,.... A name common among the Jews, the same with Hananiah, Jeremiah 28:1 it signifies not the humility of the Lord, or the affliction of the Lord, or the answer of the Lord, as say some, as if it was derived from ענה; but the grace of the Lord, or the Lord's gracious one, coming from חנן: there is no dependence on names; though this man's name signified one that was in the grace and favour of God; he was not so, but a graceless person, as appears by what follows. It is very likely he was a minister of the word, since the account of him follows upon that of Barnabas, and is opposed to it; it may be he was one of the hundred and twenty, on whom the Holy Ghost fell on the day of Pentecost; and yet, though he had great gifts, had no grace. This shows there are hypocrites among men of the greatest names and characters, and in the purest churches; this first and pure church, which, in the preceding chapter, has such large encomiums, was not free from them:

with Sapphira his wife; whether this is the same name with "Shiphrah", Exodus 1:15 or "Zipporah", Exodus 2:21 both which are by the Septuagint called "Sephora", or whether another, and may signify "beautiful", is not very material. Jerom c says, in the Syriac language this name signifies "beautiful"; though he first gives other explanations of it, as "narrantem, literatam, sive librariam", as though it was derived from the Hebrew word ספר. The precious stone called sapphire seems to come from the same root as this, and to be so called because of its beautiful azure colour. The name "Sappho", which was the name of a famous poetess, the inventress of a kind of verse called "Sapphic" verse, is said to be the diminutive of this name "Sapphira". Drusius observes, it may be read צפירא, "Tzephira"; which comes near to "Zipporah", and among other things signifies a "she goat"; and it was usual to give women names taken from such creatures. So "Rachel", a "sheep", and "Tabitha", or "Dorcas", a "doe". But whatever her name or person were, her actions were disagreeable:

sold a possession; which was their own. So the Arabic and Syriac versions read, "their own field", or "farm"; find the Ethiopic version, "their own vineyard": it might be his wife's dowry or jointure, and so her consent was necessary; or they might be jointly concerned in this sale, to show not only their concord and harmony among themselves; but that they agreed in their devotion and religious actions, and that being both filled with zeal for God, and love to the brethren, sold their estate to support the common cause.

c De Nominibus Hebraicis, fol. 106. C.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But a certain man - In the previous chapter the historian had given an account of the eminent liberality and sincerity of the mass of early Christians, in being willing to give up their property to provide for the poor, and had mentioned the case of Barnabas as worthy of special attention. In this chapter he proceeds to mention a case, quite as striking, of insincerity, and hypocrisy, and of the just judgment of God on those who were guilty of it. The case is a remarkable instance of the nature of “hypocrisy,” and goes to illustrate the art and cunning of the enemy of souls in attempting to corrupt the church, and to pervert the religion of the gospel. Hypocrisy consists in an attempt to “imitate” the people of God, or to assume the “appearance” of religion, in whatever form it may be manifested. In this case religion had been manifested by great self-denial and benevolence. The hypocrisy of Ananias consisted in “attempting” to imitate this in appearance, and to impose in this way on the early Christians and on God.

With Sapphira his wife - With her concurrence or consent. It was a matter of “agreement” between them, Acts 5:2, Acts 5:9.

Sold a possession - The word used here κτῆμα ktēma does not indicate whether this was “land” or some other property. In Acts 5:3, however, we learn that it was “land” that was sold; and the word here translated “possession” is translated in the Syriac, Arabic, and the Latin Vulgate as “land.” The pretence for which this was sold was doubtless to have the appearance of religion. That it was “sold” could be easily known by the Christian society, but it might not be so easily known for “how much” it was sold. Hence, the attempt to impose on the apostles. It is clear that they were not under obligation to sell their property. But, “having” sold it for the purposes of religion, it became their duty, if they professed to devote the avails of it to God, to do it entirely, and without any reservation.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER V.

The hypocrisy of Ananias and his wife Sapphira, and their

awful death, 1-11.

The apostles work many miracles, and the Church of God is

increased, 12-16.

The high priest and the Sadducees, being incensed against the

apostles, seize and put them in prison, 17, 18.

The angel of God delivers them, and commands them to go to the

temple, and proclaim the Gospel, 19, 20.

The high priest, having gathered the council together in the

morning, sends to the prison to have the apostles brought

before him, 21.

The offers return, and report that they found the prison shut,

and the watch set, but that the men had got out, 22, 23.

A messenger arrives in the meanwhile, and says that the

apostles are preaching in the temple, 24, 25.

The captain and officers go and bring than before the council,

who expostulate with them, 26-28.

The apostles defend themselves, and charge the council with the

murder of Christ; and assert his resurrection from the dead

and ascension to the right hand of God, 29-32.

The council are confounded, and purpose to slay the apostles,

33.

Gamaliel gives them seasonable and prudent advice, 34-39.

The council agree to it, but, before they discharge the

apostles, beat them, and command them not to teach in the name

of Jesus, 40.

They depart rejoicing in their persecution, and continue to

preach Jesus Christ, 41, 42.

NOTES ON CHAP. V.

Verse Acts 5:1. But a certain man named Ananias — Of these unhappy people we have no farther account than what is recorded here. In reference to birth, connections, &c., their names are written in the dust. The import of his name, חנניה chananiyah, the grace or mercy of the Lord, agrees very ill with his conduct.