Shared Word Translation
Acts 5
Ananias and Sapphira
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property, and kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also knowing, and bringing a certain part, he laid it at the feet of the apostles.
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained, did it not remain yours? And after it was sold, was it not in your authority? Why is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
And hearing these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, and carrying him out, they buried him.
And it happened after an interval of about three hours that his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for this amount.” And she said, “Yes, for that amount.”
But Peter said to her, “Why 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.” And immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, they buried her beside her husband.
And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things.
Many Signs and Wonders
And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were being done among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Portico. But of the rest no one dared to join them, but the people were holding them in high esteem.
And more than ever believers were being added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats, so that as Peter came by at least his shadow might overshadow some of them.
And the multitude also from the surrounding cities of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing the sick and those afflicted by unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
The Apostles Arrested and Freed
But the high priest rose up, and all those with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and they were filled with jealousy, and they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison.
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, and leading them out, said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
And hearing, they entered at daybreak into the temple and were teaching. Now the high priest came and those with him and called together the council and all the senate of the sons of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought.
But the officers, coming, did not find them in the prison, and returning, they reported, saying, “We found the prison securely shut and the guards standing at the doors, but opening, we found no one inside.”
Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed concerning them as to what this might become. And someone came and reported to them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
Then the captain went with the officers and brought them, but not with violence, for they were fearing the people, lest they be stoned.
The Apostles Before the Council
And bringing them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. This one God exalted to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
And we are witnesses of these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
But hearing this, they were cut to the heart and were intending to kill them.
Gamaliel’s Advice
But a certain Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, stood up in the council and ordered the men to be put outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you are about to do with these men.
For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; he was killed, and all who were following him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all who were following him were scattered.
And now I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone; for if this plan or this work is from men, it will be overthrown, but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them—lest you even be found to be fighting against God.”
And they were persuaded by him, and calling in the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
The Apostles Rejoice
Therefore they went out from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they were not ceasing to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Christ.