Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Acts 5
Ananias and Sapphira
But a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. He kept back part of the proceeds for himself, with his wife’s knowledge, and brought only part of the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you lied to the Holy Spirit and kept back part of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain yours? And after it was sold, was not the money under your authority? Why did you put this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. Great fear came over everyone who heard about it. The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, did you sell the land for this amount?” She answered, “Yes, for that amount.” Peter said to her, “Why did you agree together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look—the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out too.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. The young men came in, found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. Great fear came over the whole church and everyone who heard about these things.
Signs, Wonders, and Growing Crowds
Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Portico. No one else dared to join them casually, though the people held them in high regard. Yet more and more people who trusted in the Lord were added, multitudes of both men and women. People even carried the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that when Peter passed by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. Crowds also came from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
The Apostles Are Arrested and Freed
Then the high priest and everyone with him, belonging to the party of the Sadducees, rose up and were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple, and speak to the people all the words of this life.” When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began teaching. When the high priest and those with him arrived, they called together the council and the full senate of the people of Israel and sent to the prison to have the apostles brought. But when the officers arrived, they did not find them in the prison. They returned and reported, “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” When the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about what this might lead to. Then someone came and reported, “Look—the men you put in prison are standing in the temple teaching the people!” The captain went with the officers and brought them back, but without violence because they were afraid the people might stone them.
We Must Obey God Rather Than People
They brought the apostles and stood them before the council. The high priest questioned them: “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look—you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than people. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they heard this, they were cut deeply and wanted to kill them.
Gamaliel Advises Restraint
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law respected by all the people, stood up in the council and ordered the apostles to be put outside for a little while. Then he said, “People of Israel, be careful about what you are about to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas rose up claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew people after him. He too died, and all who followed him were scattered. So now I tell you: stay away from these men and leave them alone. If this plan or this work is from human beings, it will be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him. They called the apostles in, beat them, ordered them not to speak in Jesus’ name, and released them.
Rejoicing and Continuing to Teach
The apostles left the council rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. Every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and announcing the good news that Jesus is the Christ.