The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Apostles 05
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with
Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 and kept back part of the price, his
wife also being aware of it, then brought a
certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan
filled yourheartto lie to theHoly Spirit and
to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 While you kept it, didn’t it remain your
own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your
power? How is it that you have conceived
this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied
to men, but to God.”
5 Ananias, hearing these words, fell
down and died. Greatfear came on all who
heard these things.
6 The young menarose and wrappedhim
up, and they carried him out and buried
him.
7 About three hours later, his wife, not
knowing what had happened, came in.
8 Peter answered her, “Tell me whether
you sold the land for so much.”
She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 But Peter asked her, “How is it that you
have agreed together to tempt 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.”
10 She fell down immediately at his feet
and died. The young men came in and
found her dead, and they carried her out
and buried her by her husband.
11 Great fear came on the whole assembly,
and on all who heard these things.
12 By the hands of the apostles many
signs and wonders were done among the
people. They were all with one accord in
Solomon’s porch.
13 None of the rest dared to join them;
however, the people honored them.
14 More believers were added to the
Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
15 They even carried out the sick into
the streets and laid them on cots and
mattresses, so that as Peter came by,
atleast his shadow might overshadow
some of them.
16 The multitude also came together
from the cities around Jerusalem,
sick people and those who were
tormented by unclean spirits;
and they were all healed.
17 But the high priest rose up, and all
those who were with him (which is the
sect ofthe Sadducees), and they were filled
with jealousy
18 and laid hands on the apostles, then
put them in public custody.
19 But an angel of the Lord opened the
prison doors by night, and brought them
out and said,
20 “Go stand and speak in the temple to
the people all the words of this life.”
21 When they heard this, they entered
into the temple about daybreak and
taught. But the high priest and those who
were with him came and called the council
together, with all the senate of the children
of Israel, and sent to the prison to have
them brought.
22 But the officers who came didn’t find
them in the prison. They returned and
reported,
23 “We found the prison shut and locked,
and the guards standing before the doors,
but when we opened them, we found no
one inside!”
24 Now when the high priest, the captain
of the temple, and the chief priests heard
these words, they were very perplexed
about them and what might become of this.
25 One came and told them, “Behold, the
men whom you put in prison are in the
temple, standing and teaching the people.”
26 Then the captain went with the officers,
and brought them without violence, for they
were afraid that the people might stone them.
27 When they had brought them, they set
them before the council. The high priest
questioned them,
28 saying, “Didn’t we strictly command
you not to teach in this name? Behold, you
have filled Jerusalem with your teaching,
and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”
29 But Peter and the apostles answered,
“We must obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,
whom you killed, hanging him on a tree.
31 God exalted him with his right hand
to be a Prince and a Savior, to give
repentance to Israel, and remission of sins
32 We are his witnesses of these things;
and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God
has given to those who obey him.”
33 But they, when they heard this, were
cut to the heart, and were determined to
kill them.
34 But one stood up in the council, a
Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the
law, honored by all the people, and
commanded to put the apostles out
for a little while.
35 He said to them, “You men of Israel,
be careful concerning thesemen, what you
are about to do.
36 For before these days Theudas rose
up, making himself out to be somebody; to
whom a number of men, about four hundred,
joined themselves. He was slain; and
all, asmany as obeyedhim, were dispersed
and came to nothing.
37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose
up in the days of the enrollment, and drew
away some people after him. He also
perished, and all, as many as obeyed him,
were scattered abroad.
38 Now I tell you, withdraw from these
men and leave them alone. For if this
counsel or this work is of men, it will be
overthrown.
39 But if it is of God, you will not be able
to overthrow it, and you would be found
even to be fighting against God!”
40 They agreed with him. Summoning
the apostles, they beat them and
commanded them not to speak in the name of
Jesus, and let them go.
41 They therefore departed from the
presence of the council, rejoicing that they
were counted worthy to suffer dishonor
for Jesus’ name.
42 Every day, in the temple and at home,
they never stopped teaching and
preaching Jesus, the Christ.