Acts 5
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1But 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.
CHAPTER 5
Ac 5:1-11. Ananias and Sapphira.
"The first trace of a shade upon the bright form of the young Church. Probably among the new Christians a kind of holy rivalry had sprung up, every one eager to place his means at the disposal of the apostles" [Olshausen]. Thus might the new-born zeal of some outrun their abiding principle, while others might be tempted to seek credit for a liberality which was not in their character.
2. kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it--The coolness with which they planned the deception aggravated the guilt of this couple.
brought a certain part--pretending it to be the whole proceeds of the sale.
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?
3-6. why hath Satan filled--"why ... fill--"why hast thou suffered him to fill"
thine heart--so criminally entertaining his suggestion? Compare Ac 5:4, "why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?" And see Joh 13:2, 27.
to lie to the Holy Ghost--to men under His supernatural illumination.
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.
3-6. why hath Satan filled--"why ... fill--"why hast thou suffered him to fill"
thine heart--so criminally entertaining his suggestion? Compare Ac 5:4, "why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?" And see Joh 13:2, 27.
to lie to the Holy Ghost--to men under His supernatural illumination.
5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
3-6. why hath Satan filled--"why ... fill--"why hast thou suffered him to fill"
thine heart--so criminally entertaining his suggestion? Compare Ac 5:4, "why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?" And see Joh 13:2, 27.
to lie to the Holy Ghost--to men under His supernatural illumination.
6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
3-6. why hath Satan filled--"why ... fill--"why hast thou suffered him to fill"
thine heart--so criminally entertaining his suggestion? Compare Ac 5:4, "why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?" And see Joh 13:2, 27.
to lie to the Holy Ghost--to men under His supernatural illumination.
7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
7-11. Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much--naming the sum.
8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
7-11. Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much--naming the sum.
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.
7-11. Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much--naming the sum.
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.
7-11. Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much--naming the sum.
11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
7-11. Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much--naming the sum.
12And 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.
Ac 5:12-26. The Progress of the New Cause Leads to the Arrest of the Apostles--They Are Miraculously Delivered from Prison, Resume Their Teaching, but Allow Themselves to Be Conducted before the Sanhedrin.
12. Solomon's Porch--(See on Joh 10:23).
13And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
13-16. of the rest durst no man join himself, &c.--Of the unconverted none ventured, after what had taken place, to profess discipleship; but yet their number continually increased.
14And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
13-16. of the rest durst no man join himself, &c.--Of the unconverted none ventured, after what had taken place, to profess discipleship; but yet their number continually increased.
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.
13-16. of the rest durst no man join himself, &c.--Of the unconverted none ventured, after what had taken place, to profess discipleship; but yet their number continually increased.
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.
13-16. of the rest durst no man join himself, &c.--Of the unconverted none ventured, after what had taken place, to profess discipleship; but yet their number continually increased.
17Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
17-23. sect of the Sadducees--See on Ac 4:1 for the reason why this is specified.
18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
17-23. sect of the Sadducees--See on Ac 4:1 for the reason why this is specified.
19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
17-23. sect of the Sadducees--See on Ac 4:1 for the reason why this is specified.
20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
17-23. sect of the Sadducees--See on Ac 4:1 for the reason why this is specified.
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.
17-23. sect of the Sadducees--See on Ac 4:1 for the reason why this is specified.
22But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
17-23. sect of the Sadducees--See on Ac 4:1 for the reason why this is specified.
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.
17-23. sect of the Sadducees--See on Ac 4:1 for the reason why this is specified.
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.
24-26. they doubted--"were in perplexity."
25Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
24-26. they doubted--"were in perplexity."
26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
24-26. they doubted--"were in perplexity."
27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Ac 5:27-42. Second Appearance and Testimony before the Sanhedrin--Its Rage Calmed by Gamaliel--Being Dismissed, They Depart Rejoicing, and Continue Their Preaching.
27-28. ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine--noble testimony to the success of their preaching, and (for the reason mentioned on Ac 4:4) to the truth of their testimony, from reluctant lips!
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.
Ac 5:27-42. Second Appearance and Testimony before the Sanhedrin--Its Rage Calmed by Gamaliel--Being Dismissed, They Depart Rejoicing, and Continue Their Preaching.
27-28. ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine--noble testimony to the success of their preaching, and (for the reason mentioned on Ac 4:4) to the truth of their testimony, from reluctant lips!
29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
29-30. Then Peter, &c.--(See on Ac 2:22, and Ac 3:13, &c.).
30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
29-30. Then Peter, &c.--(See on Ac 2:22, and Ac 3:13, &c.).
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.
31. Prince and a Saviour--the first word expressing that Royalty which all Israel looked for in Messiah, the second the Saving character of it which they had utterly lost sight of. Each of these features in our Lord's work enters into the other, and both make one glorious whole (compare Ac 3:15; He 2:10).
to give--dispensing as a "Prince."
repentance and remission of sins--as a "Saviour"; "repentance" embracing all that change which issues in the faith which secures "forgiveness" (compare Ac 2:38; 20:21). How gloriously is Christ here exhibited; not, as in other places, as the Medium, but as the Dispenser of all spiritual blessings!
32And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
32-33. we are his witnesses ... and the Holy Ghost--They as competent human witnesses to facts, and the Holy Ghost as attesting them by undeniable miracles.
33When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
32-33. we are his witnesses ... and the Holy Ghost--They as competent human witnesses to facts, and the Holy Ghost as attesting them by undeniable miracles.
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;
34. Then stood up ... Gamaliel--in all probability one of that name celebrated in the Jewish writings for his wisdom, the son of Simeon (possibly the same who took the infant Saviour in his arms, Lu 2:25-35), and grandson of Hillel, another celebrated rabbi. He died eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem [Lightfoot].
35And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
35-39. Theudas--not the same with a deceiver of that name whom Josephus mentions as heading an insurrection some twelve years after this [Antiquities, 20.5.1], but some other of whom he makes no mention. Such insurrections were frequent.
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.
35-39. Theudas--not the same with a deceiver of that name whom Josephus mentions as heading an insurrection some twelve years after this [Antiquities, 20.5.1], but some other of whom he makes no mention. Such insurrections were frequent.
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.
35-39. Theudas--not the same with a deceiver of that name whom Josephus mentions as heading an insurrection some twelve years after this [Antiquities, 20.5.1], but some other of whom he makes no mention. Such insurrections were frequent.
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:
35-39. Theudas--not the same with a deceiver of that name whom Josephus mentions as heading an insurrection some twelve years after this [Antiquities, 20.5.1], but some other of whom he makes no mention. Such insurrections were frequent.
39But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
35-39. Theudas--not the same with a deceiver of that name whom Josephus mentions as heading an insurrection some twelve years after this [Antiquities, 20.5.1], but some other of whom he makes no mention. Such insurrections were frequent.
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.
40-42. beaten them--for disobeying their orders (compare Lu 23:16).
41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
40-42. beaten them--for disobeying their orders (compare Lu 23:16).
42And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
40-42. beaten them--for disobeying their orders (compare Lu 23:16).