READ | ACTS CHAPTER 5
Ananias and Sapphira
1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The Apostles Persecuted
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The Apostles Persecuted
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
DEVOTIONAL
Gamaliel is a name we will hear in this chapter and again later in the book of Acts. He was a prominent and respected Pharisee, credited with being the Rabbinical teacher of Saul, who we know better as the Apostle Paul. Both Gamaliel and Saul would have been seated in the Sanhedrin court when Peter and John defended their actions in chapter 4, most likely right next to each other as was common with a teacher and his former student. Gamaliel held the title of Rabban, which means “our Teacher” and was a sign that he was not only a teacher, but a teacher of teachers. The Sanhedrin had what they judged to be a major problem on their hands. The followers of Jesus had continued to grow, miracles of healing and provision had increased, and the boldness and authority of which this Jesus sect spoke was problematic for the religious elites. They were losing authority and influence among the people daily. The threats and intimidation had not worked, so the High Priests and members of the Sanhedrin, both Sadducee and Pharisee, conspired together to stop what was happening.
Once again, Caiaphas, the High Priest and a group of Sadducees rose up and arrested those they saw as the ringleaders and threw those disciples into prison. Every miracle performed by these followers of Jesus and their testimony of a risen Jesus was especially embarrassing for them because Sadducees did not believe in miracles or the resurrection of the dead. They also did not believe in angels, which is interesting, because in the following verses we see God using angels to break Peter and the disciples out of prison. God has a sense of humor after all. But God did not free them from prison for their own safety and comfort. He gave them an immediate mission to go and proclaim the name of Jesus in the temple. God knew they would soon be in front of the Sanhedrin once again. The hearts of the religious leaders were again exposed when they re-arrested the disciples after learning that the cells were empty. They feared the people, but they did not fear God who clearly showed that He was at work among the disciples. The High Priest reminded Peter that they were under strict orders not to teach in the name of Jesus. Peter’s reply to this threat cuts deep into the corrupt heart of those before him. “We must obey God rather than men!” We can only imagine the eruption of hatred over Peter’s words and the accusations being raised that these men of the Sanhedrin were not being obedient to God. They wanted to kill them all right then and there, and most likely would have tried if not for a voice of reason.
Enter Gamaliel, who had been witnessing this whole exchange, as well as previous ones. He is seen here as a rational voice among a group which had been taken over by furious anger at what the disciples had insinuated. Since the following exchange happened after the disciples had been put outside of the room, we can assume that it most likely Paul, who years later, relayed to Luke what had been discussed about them behind closed doors. Gamaliel presented an interesting idea. The Sanhedrin really had two options: either this Jesus movement was of human origin, or it is from God. At that point in Jewish history, there had been many who had claimed to be somebody, a messiah, a savior, a leader. A man who would rise up and rid the Jews of their Roman oppressors. But when each died, their followers scattered, and the movement died with them. The Roman historian Josephus would later make mention of Theudas and Judas as Zealout messiah figures who led short-lived revolts against the Romans. This is yet another example of a non-Christian historian outside of Christianity backing up and confirming historical claims made within scripture. But Jesus was different. His death was the catalyst that led to the spread of Christianity. Gamaliel didn’t know this at the time, so his words sounded reasonable to his fellow religious leaders. Gamaliel posed this question: If their movement is of human origin, it will fail like all the rest, but if it is from God, how can we expect to stop it? Every time you oppose them, it helps them. They grow bolder instead of shrinking in fear. Let’s just leave them alone and see what happens.
Think about this in your own life. In a way, this is a perspective and mindset we should carry with us. When people oppose us, they are not really opposing us, they are fighting against God. Why should we worry about those battles? Is God not capable of fighting and winning battles on his own? And if what we are doing is simply pushed along by human strength and talent, then it is doomed to eventually fail anyway. This truth still rings true today in our own churches. The church will only grow and stand strong if it is supernaturally empowered. Anything else will be met with failure.
Once again, Caiaphas, the High Priest and a group of Sadducees rose up and arrested those they saw as the ringleaders and threw those disciples into prison. Every miracle performed by these followers of Jesus and their testimony of a risen Jesus was especially embarrassing for them because Sadducees did not believe in miracles or the resurrection of the dead. They also did not believe in angels, which is interesting, because in the following verses we see God using angels to break Peter and the disciples out of prison. God has a sense of humor after all. But God did not free them from prison for their own safety and comfort. He gave them an immediate mission to go and proclaim the name of Jesus in the temple. God knew they would soon be in front of the Sanhedrin once again. The hearts of the religious leaders were again exposed when they re-arrested the disciples after learning that the cells were empty. They feared the people, but they did not fear God who clearly showed that He was at work among the disciples. The High Priest reminded Peter that they were under strict orders not to teach in the name of Jesus. Peter’s reply to this threat cuts deep into the corrupt heart of those before him. “We must obey God rather than men!” We can only imagine the eruption of hatred over Peter’s words and the accusations being raised that these men of the Sanhedrin were not being obedient to God. They wanted to kill them all right then and there, and most likely would have tried if not for a voice of reason.
Enter Gamaliel, who had been witnessing this whole exchange, as well as previous ones. He is seen here as a rational voice among a group which had been taken over by furious anger at what the disciples had insinuated. Since the following exchange happened after the disciples had been put outside of the room, we can assume that it most likely Paul, who years later, relayed to Luke what had been discussed about them behind closed doors. Gamaliel presented an interesting idea. The Sanhedrin really had two options: either this Jesus movement was of human origin, or it is from God. At that point in Jewish history, there had been many who had claimed to be somebody, a messiah, a savior, a leader. A man who would rise up and rid the Jews of their Roman oppressors. But when each died, their followers scattered, and the movement died with them. The Roman historian Josephus would later make mention of Theudas and Judas as Zealout messiah figures who led short-lived revolts against the Romans. This is yet another example of a non-Christian historian outside of Christianity backing up and confirming historical claims made within scripture. But Jesus was different. His death was the catalyst that led to the spread of Christianity. Gamaliel didn’t know this at the time, so his words sounded reasonable to his fellow religious leaders. Gamaliel posed this question: If their movement is of human origin, it will fail like all the rest, but if it is from God, how can we expect to stop it? Every time you oppose them, it helps them. They grow bolder instead of shrinking in fear. Let’s just leave them alone and see what happens.
Think about this in your own life. In a way, this is a perspective and mindset we should carry with us. When people oppose us, they are not really opposing us, they are fighting against God. Why should we worry about those battles? Is God not capable of fighting and winning battles on his own? And if what we are doing is simply pushed along by human strength and talent, then it is doomed to eventually fail anyway. This truth still rings true today in our own churches. The church will only grow and stand strong if it is supernaturally empowered. Anything else will be met with failure.
