W hat is the story of Ananias and Sapphira all about? Here’s an account of their story from Scripture with a commentary that follows.
Before Ananias and Sapphira
[1]Ananias and Sapphira – Artist unknown
Chapter divisions were a product of Bible scholars and we can tell that the story of Ananias and Sapphira didn’t actually begin where their name is first mentioned in Acts 5 because Acts 5:1 says “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira,” so we must turn back to the last few verses of Acts 4 to see where the story swings into action which is preceded by the conjunctive word “but” in Acts 5:1. In Acts 4:34-37 we read “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Apparently Ananias and Sapphira saw what happened and wanted to be thought of as highly as Barnabas was. That gives us a better understanding of what happened next in chapter five of Acts.
Acts 5:1-2 “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Here is the first hint of trouble. They had given to the church with the probable intent of being seen by men and women in the church. Their gift had followed the other church members giving and Barnabas generous gift (Acts 4:34-37), so the timing of their gift is not lost. The thing to remember is that they both conspired to give but “kept back” for themselves “some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet” so that they could be seen by others. The verse indicated that his wife is in on this too.
Acts 5:3-4 “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
[2]The Death of Ananias – Raphael c.1515 Victoria and Albert Museum
We don’t know how Peter knew that Ananias was lying. Whether it was the Spirit of God that spoke to him or not, we just don’t know. We do know that Ananias did lie and it was Satan that inspired him to do so. Ananias had every right to give a portion and hold back some of the money as Peter said, but to indicate that all of the profits were given for the church shows deceit in Ananias’ heart. He wasn’t really lying to Peter and the apostles but to God the Holy Spirit.
Acts 5:5-6 “When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.”
It was immediately after hearing these words from Peter, and really they were the words inspired by God, that he fell down dead on the spot so it is no wonder that “great fear came upon all who heard of it.” The author of Hebrews correctly states that “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31), because after death, judgment comes (Heb 9:27).
Acts 5:7-8 “After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”
This confirms the fact that Sapphira was in on this deception (Acts 5:1), and to make certain that she was, Peter asked her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much” and she confirmed that it was for “so much.” Now there is no doubt that both Ananias and Sapphira were in collusion together and what happens next is the same thing that happened three hours previously to her husband.
Acts 5:9-10 “But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.”
‘The Death of Sapphira’, 1654-1656. Artist: Nicolas Poussin
As expected, the same outcome resulted in Sapphira lying to God as did her late husband Ananias. She fell dead on the spot. She was buried next to her husband. Peter confirmed the fact that her and her husband had agreed together (conspired) “to test the Spirit of the Lord.”
Acts 5:11 “And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.”
Who could blame them? The phrase “great fear” means a strong reverence and respect fell upon the whole church and everyone “who heard of these things,” indicating that those outside of the church heard about it too. This makes sense of Acts 5:13 which says, “None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem,” which meant that those outside of the church didn’t dare join them unless they were sincere or genuine in their belief in Christ. This verse doesn’t mean that others were afraid to join the church because in the very next verse it says “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (Act 5:14).
Summary
[3]This is “why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died” (1 Cor 11:30).
The fear of God is not so much a fear of being struck dead but means having a deep, abiding, holy, reverential respect for God and for telling the truth. The Apostle John says writes, “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that” (1 John 5:19). The sin that leads to death is likely different for each believer. When believers fall into unrepentant sin or serious sin (adultery, violence, etc.) like the Church at Corinth was experiencing, God called some home (they died). Why? It was because they were getting drunk at the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11). The Apostle Paul said this is “why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died” (1 Cor 11:30). Their sins lead to death, but that doesn’t mean spiritual death or that they won’t be saved. Just like Ananias and Sapphira, they committed a very serious sin, one where God took them home, but they were taken into the Kingdom because they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. God showed the church and the public that He desires a pure and holy church where we do not lie to one another and we do not rob glory from God and ascribe it to ourselves (like Ananias and Sapphira did).
Conclusion
Today, God is still adding to the church, even though there is more persecution of the church today around the world than ever before, but God’s church will prevail no matter what Satan or man does and as Jesus said “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18b). He is still building His church today, one soul at a time.
I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.
Here is some related reading for you: What is the Sin that Leads Unto Death? [4]
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.