Acts 5 1

Acts 5:1 kjv

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

Acts 5:1 nkjv

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.

Acts 5:1 niv

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

Acts 5:1 esv

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

Acts 5:1 nlt

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

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 1 Meaning

Acts 5:1 introduces Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple who, following the communal sharing pattern established in the early church, sold a piece of their property. This verse serves as the immediate lead-in to a dramatic account that contrasts sharply with the earlier expressions of unity and selfless giving seen among the believers. While the act of selling property was common among the early Christians who pooled resources for the benefit of all, the verse hints at an underlying intent or future action that will reveal itself as a significant deviation from the spirit of generosity and truthfulness.

Acts 5 1 Context

Acts 5:1 follows immediately after a description of the early Christian community's remarkable unity, devotion, and especially their radical generosity. Acts 4:32-37 highlights that no one among the believers lacked anything because those who owned land or houses would sell them and lay the proceeds at the apostles' feet, to be distributed as needed. Barnabas is specifically commended as a prime example of this generosity (Acts 4:36-37). Verse 1 of chapter 5, therefore, sets a stark contrast. It introduces a case that appears to align with the positive community practice on the surface but will be revealed as a profound betrayal of the spirit of truth, honesty, and community love that defined the nascent church. It represents the first major internal crisis related to sin after a period of intense external persecution.

Acts 5 1 Word analysis

• But: (Greek: dé, δὲ). This conjunction marks a strong contrast, signaling a significant shift in the narrative from the glowing account of the unified, sharing community, particularly Barnabas's genuine gift, to something negative and different.
• a certain man: (Greek: tis ánthrōpos, τις ἄνθρωπος). The use of the indefinite article highlights his individuality while also setting the stage for a specific, identifiable incident that follows a general pattern of giving.
• named Ananias: (Greek: Ananías, Ἀνανίας). From Hebrew, meaning "The Lord is gracious" or "Yahweh has shown favor." This name takes on an ironic and tragic connotation given his actions, standing in stark opposition to the grace he seemingly claimed or received.
• with his wife Sapphira: (Greek: kai Sappheirē tē gynaikì autoú, καὶ Σαπφείρῃ τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ). Emphasizes their joint participation and shared responsibility in the subsequent deception. Sapphira is likely derived from Aramaic, meaning "beautiful" or related to "lapis lazuli" (sapphire stone), another layer of irony for one whose spiritual actions proved so ugly.
• sold: (Greek: epṓlēsen, ἐπώλησεν). Past tense, indicating a completed action. The act of selling property itself was not sinful; it was consistent with the benevolent practices of the time. The sin would lie in what they did, or rather, what they claimed to do, with the proceeds.
• a possession: (Greek: ktēma, κτῆμα). Refers to a piece of property, typically land or real estate. This term is neutral; the value was intrinsic to the property, not the action. The decision to sell was entirely their own.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "But a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira": This phrase immediately establishes that the impending incident involves a married couple acting in concert. Their joint culpability and the deliberate, collaborative nature of their deception are underscored from the outset, contrasting with Barnabas who acted individually but for the common good.
• "sold a possession": This seemingly innocuous phrase lays the foundation for the ensuing conflict. It positions Ananias and Sapphira as participating in the church's shared economy, giving them an outward appearance of piety and generosity similar to others, setting the stage for the revelation of their true, deceitful intentions regarding the proceeds. The transaction itself was legitimate, but the intent behind reporting its outcome was not.

Acts 5 1 Bonus section

• The account of Ananias and Sapphira stands in parallel with the sin of Achan in Josh 7, where individual covetousness and deception resulted in divine judgment and consequences for the whole community. Both incidents underscore God's zero tolerance for spiritual deceit that undermines communal purity.
• This verse introduces the human element of spiritual warfare within the Church. While previous chapters show external opposition from authorities, this event demonstrates that the early church also faced the challenge of internal sin, orchestrated by Satan, impacting its spiritual health.
• The immediate and fatal consequence for Ananias and Sapphira highlights God's radical commitment to the holiness of His church, particularly at its inception. This dramatic divine intervention served as a deterrent, instilling a healthy fear (Acts 5:5, 5:11) and reverence for God's holiness that was essential for the rapid and authentic growth of the Christian community.

Acts 5 1 Commentary

Acts 5:1 acts as the critical entry point to a foundational story within the nascent Christian community, serving as a powerful demonstration of the Holy Spirit's immediate work in preserving the purity and integrity of the Church. By explicitly mentioning "Ananias, with his wife Sapphira," Luke highlights their shared intent and culpability. Unlike the forced sacrifices under the Old Covenant, the early Christian communal sharing was entirely voluntary, as exemplified by Barnabas. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not in selling their property, nor even in retaining some of the proceeds, as Peter later clarifies they were free to do (Acts 5:4). Their sin was the deliberate act of deception and lying to God the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4) about the full amount, while feigning complete donation to gain reputation within the community. This verse therefore sets the stage for a divine object lesson, establishing a profound boundary against hypocrisy, deceit, and covetousness that could otherwise corrupt the integrity of the believers and undermine the Spirit-filled unity. God's immediate judgment emphasized the seriousness of sin within the Holy Spirit-indwelt community and aimed to foster awe and reverence among the early disciples and beyond.