Acts 5 7

Acts 5:7 kjv

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

Acts 5:7 nkjv

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

Acts 5:7 niv

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

Acts 5:7 esv

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

Acts 5:7 nlt

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 7 Meaning

Acts 5:7 describes the entrance of Sapphira, Ananias's wife, into the assembly approximately three hours after her husband's sudden death. Her key characteristic at this moment is her unawareness of the tragic event that had just occurred. This verse sets the stage for her subsequent interrogation by Peter and her own demise, underscoring the swift and immediate consequences of the couple's deception before God and the early church.

Acts 5 7 Context

Acts 5:7 is a crucial verse within the narrative of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), which immediately follows the description of the early church's unity and generosity (Acts 4:32-37). While many believers were selling possessions and giving the proceeds to the apostles for distribution to the needy, Ananias and Sapphira sold land but secretly kept back part of the money, lying to Peter that they had given the full amount. Ananias's death in verse 5 is the direct result of this lie against the Holy Spirit. Verse 7 acts as the transition to Sapphira's judgment, occurring after a period of approximately three hours, during which the community, having buried Ananias, still did not know the details of his sin or the extent of his wife's complicity. This passage powerfully illustrates God's immediate judgment against hypocrisy and dishonesty within the nascent church, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's sacredness and the community's call to purity.

Acts 5 7 Word analysis

• And: Greek "καὶ" (kai). A simple conjunction, connecting Sapphira's arrival to the preceding events of Ananias's death and burial. It shows a continuous, albeit separated by time, unfolding of divine judgment.
• it was about: Greek "ὡς" (hōs). Indicates approximation. The time interval is not precisely fixed but is significant. It suggests sufficient time passed for Ananias's body to be removed without immediate knowledge reaching Sapphira.
• the space of three hours after: Greek "ὡρῶν τριῶν διαστήματος" (hōrōn triōn diastēmatos). "Horōn" (hours) in the genitive plural; "diastematos" (interval/space) in the genitive singular. This specific time gap is deliberate. It provides time for the initial commotion surrounding Ananias's death to subside, his body to be carried out and buried by the young men (Acts 5:6), and for Sapphira to arrive independently, unaware. It allows for a fresh, uncoerced confession or confirmation from her, demonstrating her complicity not just in a spontaneous moment but with premeditation.
• when: Implied in the Greek temporal structure, indicating the time of her arrival relative to the three hours.
• his wife: Greek "ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ" (hē gynē autou). "Hē gynē" (the wife); "autou" (of him). Specifically names Sapphira's relationship to Ananias. Her identity is defined by her marriage, emphasizing her joint participation in the plan and mutual accountability.
• not knowing: Greek "μὴ εἰδυῖα" (mē eidyia). "Mē" (not), "eidyia" (knowing, perfect participle from oida, to know). This crucial detail highlights her ignorance of Ananias's death and its immediate circumstances. She did not know what Peter and the others knew concerning Ananias's fate. This lack of information is what Peter addresses by asking her the same question, giving her an opportunity to confess truly, distinct from her husband.
• what was done: Greek "τὸ γεγονός" (to gegonos). "To" (the), "gegonos" (perfect active participle of ginomai, to become, happen). Refers to the events concerning Ananias, specifically his sin, Peter's judgment, and his death. Her ignorance is specific to the divine intervention that took place.
• came in: Greek "εἰσῆλθεν" (eisēlthen). "Came in," simple past tense of eiserchomai. She entered the place where the apostles and the gathered believers were. This signifies her active arrival into the very scene of divine judgment. She entered willingly, bringing her pre-arranged deceit with her, unknowingly walking into God's reckoning.

Acts 5 7 Bonus section

The phrase "not knowing what was done" for Sapphira is paramount. It separates her accountability from a direct reaction to Ananias's death, establishing her individual culpability. Her ignorance of her husband's fate does not excuse her prior, knowing conspiracy to deceive the Holy Spirit and the community. Peter's interrogation offers her a clear path to truth, distinct from her husband's quick condemnation. The emphasis is on the internal state and intentionality of the sin, revealing the deceit embedded in their hearts rather than merely an outward action. This act of judgment was crucial for the integrity and spiritual purity of the nascent Church, instilling a healthy fear of God (Acts 5:11) and reinforcing the truth that the Holy Spirit is God, not to be tested or lied to. This early purification rite ensures that the church understands that integrity and holiness are fundamental characteristics of the body of Christ.

Acts 5 7 Commentary

Acts 5:7 is a somber detail in a terrifying, yet purifying, event for the early church. The interval of "about three hours" demonstrates that God's judgment, while swift and definitive, is not arbitrary or chaotic; there is an order and precision to it. This gap allowed for Ananias's burial, preventing his wife from immediately being present and potentially confessing under pressure of the spectacle. Instead, Sapphira arrived independently, "not knowing what was done." This specific detail is critical: it underscores that her subsequent lie was not an attempt to protect Ananias or out of shock from his sudden death. Her ignorance of his specific judgment provided a separate and fair opportunity for her to confess the truth. Her knowing complicity in the initial lie (Acts 5:2) and her active perpetuation of it when questioned (Acts 5:8) reveal the deep-seated deception. The narrative serves as a stark warning against hypocrisy and dishonesty within the community of believers, especially when dealing with consecrated offerings or positions of trust within the Church of Christ. It stresses the profound holiness of God, who resides by His Spirit in His people, and the grave consequences of lying to Him.