Acts 5 6

Acts 5:6 kjv

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

Acts 5:6 nkjv

And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

Acts 5:6 niv

Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

Acts 5:6 esv

The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

Acts 5:6 nlt

Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 6 Meaning

Acts 5:6 describes the swift and immediate consequences of Ananias's deceit, following his sudden death as a divine judgment. The verse states that "the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out and buried him," highlighting the shocking rapidity and lack of traditional ceremony in his disposal. It underscores the profound gravity of lying to the Holy Spirit and serves as a stark demonstration of God's holiness and severe condemnation of hypocrisy within the early church community.

Acts 5 6 Context

Acts chapter 5 continues the narrative of the early church in Jerusalem, following the profound sense of unity and sacrificial generosity described at the end of Acts 4, exemplified by Barnabas’s selling of his land for the common good. This creates a powerful contrast with Ananias and Sapphira, who sold property but deceptively withheld a portion of the proceeds while claiming to have given the full amount to the apostles for distribution. Their act of hypocrisy and deceit was not just a lie to fellow humans but was perceived as a lie "to the Holy Spirit" (Acts 5:3) and "to God" (Acts 5:4). Ananias's death in Acts 5:5 is an immediate, divinely ordained judgment. Verse 6 describes the prompt response to his death, emphasizing the finality of God's action and the physical removal of the consequence of sin from the community. Historically, swift burial was customary in ancient Jewish society, particularly in hot climates, to prevent defilement and decomposition (Deut 21:23). This customary practice here is amplified by the shocking and sudden nature of the death, leaving no room for traditional mourning or elaborate burial rites. Culturally, the incident serves as a clear polemic against insincere piety, materialism disguised as generosity, and testing the Spirit within the communal life of the new covenant, establishing the awe and sanctity of God’s presence within His burgeoning church.

Acts 5 6 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction, yet here it serves to immediately link Ananias's death to the subsequent action, conveying swift continuity and decisiveness.
• the young men (οἱ νεώτεροι - hoi neōteroi): Refers to the "juniors" or younger, able-bodied men, likely members of the community present, who performed the physical tasks. This term can imply readiness for service (Luke 22:26) rather than a formal, specific role, highlighting the improvisational yet decisive response to an unprecedented event. Their involvement signals the practical necessity and speed of the action, reflecting the community's responsibility for such tasks.
• arose (ἀναστάντες - anastantes from ἀνίστημι - anistemi): Meaning "stood up" or "got up." This signifies prompt, decisive action without hesitation. It denotes an immediate physical movement to respond to the situation, underlining the urgency caused by the divine judgment.
• wound him up (συνέστειλαν - synestellan from συστέλλω - systellō): Literally means "to roll together," "wrap up closely," or "shroud." This suggests that they wrapped Ananias's body tightly, possibly in his own garment or available linen, without the extensive, ceremonial preparations typically accorded a deceased person. It conveys a hasty and utilitarian preparation for burial, emphasizing the lack of customary respect given the manner of his death, reinforcing the immediate and undignified outcome of his sin.
• and carried him out (ἐξήνεγκαν - exēnenkan from ἐκφέρω - ekpherō): Meaning "to carry forth" or "bring out." This denotes the physical removal of the body from the gathering place of the believers. This swift removal signifies a cleansing or expulsion from the immediate presence of the community, and metaphorically, from the pure fellowship, demonstrating God’s decisive action against sin polluting the community.
• and buried him (ἔθαψαν - ethapsan from θάπτω - thaptō): Meaning "to bury" or "inter." This is the final act, signifying the completion of the immediate divine judgment. The simplicity of this verb without any mention of further ceremony underscores the finality and absence of typical funerary rites, reflecting the dire nature of the event.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the young men arose, wound him up,": This phrase depicts an immediate, organized (or implicitly tasked) physical response to Ananias's sudden death. The act of "winding up" signifies a quick, perfunctory preparation of the body, indicating the lack of time or perhaps propriety for full ceremonial wrapping. This immediate preparation for removal emphasizes the shocking nature of the event and the speed required for burial in a hot climate and under such circumstances.
• "and carried him out and buried him.": This concluding phrase succinctly narrates the two final and crucial actions. "Carried him out" denotes his removal from the holy gathering place, signifying separation from the community in judgment. "And buried him" establishes the finality of his fate, sealing the divine verdict with a rapid and decisive interment, reinforcing the awesome fear that fell upon the entire community.

Acts 5 6 Bonus Section

• Purpose of the Judgment: The judgment of Ananias (and subsequently Sapphira) served multiple crucial purposes for the early Church: it demonstrated the deity and sensitivity of the Holy Spirit; it purified the community from sin at a foundational stage; it instilled a profound, reverential fear (φόβος - phobos) of God, thereby fostering true devotion and preventing widespread hypocrisy; and it established the divine authority backing the apostles' ministry, thus affirming their leadership. This severe response was vital in the formative period of the Church to define the nature of God's new covenant community.
• Contrast with Mosaic Law: While immediate execution and removal of those under divine curse (e.g., Num 15:35, Deut 21:23) parallels the swift burial here, the direct spiritual nature of the lie and its consequence against the Holy Spirit marks a New Testament dynamic. The event signals that the presence of the Holy Spirit within the Church necessitates an equally high standard of integrity, as God Himself dwells among believers.
• Absence of Mourning Rites: The concise description, specifically the immediate wrapping and removal, contrasts sharply with the customary lamentations and more elaborate preparations common in ancient Jewish burial practices (e.g., Jn 11:19, 31). This lack underscores the punitive nature of the death and the absence of honor for one who acted so deceptively against God.

Acts 5 6 Commentary

Acts 5:6 powerfully illustrates the severity of divine judgment upon Ananias for his hypocrisy and deception, especially concerning spiritual matters and resources within the nascent Christian community. The speed of the actions — from his collapse to his unceremonious burial by "young men" — serves as a stark message: God demands truthfulness and integrity, particularly from those within His household. This was not a prolonged illness or a natural death, but a direct consequence of "lying to the Holy Spirit" (Acts 5:3). The immediate and minimal handling of his body by younger community members, rather than customary professional mourners or specific elders, underscored the urgent need to address the spiritual breach. This dramatic incident purified the early church, setting a foundational precedent that participation in the community of God was serious, marked by holiness, truth, and genuine commitment. It instilled "great fear" (Acts 5:5, 11) among believers, cultivating a reverential awe for God's presence and His standards of righteousness.

• Practical Examples:
  • It reminds believers to be fully honest in their giving and service, avoiding superficial acts for show.
  • It highlights the serious nature of spiritual deception, even in matters seemingly trivial, as God looks upon the heart.
  • It reinforces the truth that God actively cleanses His church from impurity.