Peter graciously gave Sapphira an opportunity to tell the truth, but she did not. He did not warn her ahead of time by mentioning her husband’s death because he wanted her to speak honestly. She added a spoken lie to hypocrisy. read more
Peter’s "why" question to her means virtually the same thing as his "why" question to Ananias (Acts 5:3). Putting God to the test means seeing how far one can go in disobeying God-in this case lying to Him-before He will judge (cf. Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 4:7). This is very risky business.Some readers of Acts have criticized Peter for dealing with Sapphira and Ananias so harshly. Nevertheless the text clearly indicates that in these matters Peter was under the Holy Spirit’s control (Acts... read more
Luke reemphasized the sobering effect these events produced in all who heard about them (Acts 5:5; cf. Acts 2:43). People probably said, "There but for the grace of God go I!"Here is the first of 23 uses of the word "church" in Acts. The Western (Beza) text used it in Acts 2:47, but it is probably incorrect there. The Greek word, ekklesia, means "called out assembly." This was a common word that writers often used to describe assemblies of people that congregated for political and various other... read more
The lame beggar was not the only person who benefited from the apostles’ ministry of performing miracles. Many other needy people did as well. These miracles signified who Jesus really was (signs), and they filled the people with awe (wonders). The believers continued to meet in Solomon’s portico (cf. Acts 3:11). read more
The expanding influence of the apostles 5:12-16This pericope is another of Luke’s summaries of conditions in the church that introduces what follows (cf. Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32-35). It also explains why the Sadducees became so jealous that they arrested not only Peter and John but other apostles as well. The apostles were gaining great influence not only in Jerusalem but also in the outlying areas. The healing of one lame man had triggered initial opposition (Acts 3:1-10), but now many people... read more
3. Intensified external opposition 5:12-42God’s power manifest through the apostles in blessing (Acts 3:1-26) as well as in judgment (Acts 5:1-11) made an increasingly powerful impact on the residents of Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders increased their opposition to the apostles as they had increased their opposition to Jesus. Luke preserved the record of the developing attitudes that resulted. The Sadducees became more jealous and antagonistic, the Pharisees chose to react with moderation, and... read more
The Apostles Again Imprisoned1-16. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not keeping back part of the price, which they had a perfect right to do (Acts 5:4), but pretending that the money which they offered to the Apostles was the whole price of the possession sold, which was not the case. Their motive was vanity and ambition. They wished to have a greater reputation for liberality than they were entitled to.1. Ananias] i.e. ’Jehovah hath been gracious.’Sapphira] If the word is Greek it means... read more
V.(1, 2) A certain man named Ananias.—The name meets us again as belonging to the high priest in Acts 23:2, and was the Greek form of the Hebrew Hananiah. It had the same significance as John, or Johanan, “The Lord be gracious.” “Sapphira,” is either connected with the “sapphire,” as a precious stone, or from a Hebrew word signifying “beautiful” or “pleasant.” The whole history must be read in connection with the act of Barnabas. He, it seemed, had gained praise and power by his self-sacrifice.... read more
(2) And kept back part of the price.—The mere act of keeping back would not in itself have been sinful. The money was his own, to give the whole or part (Acts 5:4). But the formal act, apparently reproducing that of Barnabas, was an acted lie. The part was offered as if it were the whole. The word for “kept back” is rendered “purloining” in Titus 2:10, and always carried with it the idea of stealthy and dishonest appropriation. It is used in the LXX. of Joshua 7:1, as describing the sin of... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 5:7-11
The death of Sapphira 5:7-11 read more