Acts 5
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
But a certain man named Ananias - Of these unhappy people we have no farther account than what is recorded here. In reference to birth, connections, etc., their names are written in the dust. The import of his name, חנניה chananiyah, the grace or mercy of the Lord, agrees very ill with his conduct.
Open source ↗ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA. (Act 5:1-11) kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it--The coolness with which they planned the deception aggravated the guilt of this couple. brought a certain part--pretending it to be the whole proceeds of the sale.
Open source ↗But a certain man named Ananias,.... A name common among the Jews, the same with Hananiah, Jer 28:1 it signifies not the humility of the Lord, or the affliction of the Lord, or the answer of the Lord, as say some, as if it was derived from but the grace of the Lord, or the Lord's gracious one, coming from there is no dependence on names; though this man's name signified one that was in the grace and favour of God; he was not so, but a graceless person, as appears by what follows. It is very likely he was a minister of the word, since the account of him follows upon that of Barnabas, and is opposed to it; it may be he was one of the hundred and twenty, on whom the Holy Ghost fell on the day of Pentecost; and yet, though he had great gifts, had no grace. This shows there are hypocrites among men of the greatest names and characters, and in the purest churches; this first and pure church, which, in the preceding chapter, has such large encomiums, was not free from them: with Sapphira his wife; whether this is the same name with "Shiphrah", Exo 1:15 or "Zipporah", Exo 2:21 both which are by the Septuagint called "Sephora", or whether another, and may signify "beautiful", is not very material. Jerom (c) says, in the Syriac language this name signifies "beautiful"; though he first gives other explanations of it, as "narrantem, literatam, sive librariam", as though it was derived from the Hebrew word The precious stone called sapphire seems to come from the same root as this, and to be so called because of its beautiful azure colour. The name "Sappho", which was the name of a famous poetess, the inventress of a kind of verse called "Sapphic" verse, is said to be the diminutive of this name "Sapphira". Drusius observes, it may be read "Tzephira"; which comes near to "Zipporah",…
Open source ↗The chapter begins with a melancholy but, which puts a stop to the pleasant and agreeable prospect of things which we had in the foregoing chapters; as every man, so every church, in its best state has its but. 1. The disciples were very holy, and heavenly, and seemed to be all exceedingly good; but there were hypocrites among them, whose hearts were not right in the sight of God, who, when they were baptized, and took upon them the form of godliness, denied the power of godliness, and stopped short of that. There is a mixture of bad with good in the best societies on this side heaven; tares will grow among the wheat until the harvest. 2. It was the praise of the disciples that they came up to that perfection which Christ recommended to the rich young man - they sold what they had, and gave to the poor; but even that proved a cloak and cover of hypocrisy which was thought the greatest proof and evidence of sincerity. 3. The signs and wonders which the apostles wrought were hitherto miracles of mercy; but now comes in a miracle of judgment, and here is an instance of severity following the instances of goodness, that God may be both loved and feared. Observe here, I. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira his wife. It is good to see husband and wife joining together in that which is good, but to be confederate in evil is to be like Adam and Eve, when they agreed to eat the forbidden fruit, and were one in their disobedience. Now their sin was, 1. That they were ambitious of being thought eminent disciples, and of the first rank, when really they were not true disciples; they would pass for some of the most fruitful trees in Christ's vineyard, when really the root of the matter was not found in them. They sold a possession, and brought the money (as Barnabas did) to the apostles…
Open source ↗5:1-11 Luke is fond of balancing a positive example with a negative example. He has just recorded the remarkable story of Barnabas (4:36-37). Now Luke presents the opposite conduct of Ananias and Sapphira, who were tempted by the desire to be held in high regard. Ananias had not been forced to sell his property or to give the proceeds away. The couple’s sin was in their pretense and deception.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) Ἀνανίας (Ananías, G367) — Ananias, the name of three Israelites σύν (sýn, G4862) — with or together (but much closer than G3326 (μετά) or G3844 (παρά)), i.e. by… Σαπφείρη (Sappheírē, G4551) — Sapphire, an Israelitess αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife πωλέω (pōléō, G4453) — to barter (as a pedlar), i.e. to sell κτῆμα (ktēma, G2933) — an acquirement, i.e. estate
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… νοσφίζομαι (nosphízomai, G3557) — to sequestrate for oneself, i.e. embezzle ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… τιμή (timḗ, G5092) — a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife συνείδω (syneídō, G4894) — to see completely; used (like its primary) only in two past tenses, respectively meaning… φέρω (phérō, G5342) — to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows) τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object μέρος (méros, G3313) — a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application) τίθημι (títhēmi, G5087) — to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive… παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… ἀπόστολος (apóstolos, G652) — a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ… πούς (poús, G4228) — a "foot" (figuratively or literally)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) Ἀνανίας (Ananías, G367) — Ananias, the name of three Israelites διατί (diatí, G1302) — through what cause ?, i.e. why? Σατανᾶς (Satanâs, G4567) — the accuser, i.e. the devil πληρόω (plēróō, G4137) — to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively)… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy καρδία (kardía, G2588) — the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the… σέ (sé, G4571) — thee ψεύδομαι (pseúdomai, G5574) — to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other…
Open source ↗μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) οὐχί (ouchí, G3780) — not indeed σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πιπράσκω (pipráskō, G4097) — from the base of G4008 (πέραν)); to traffic (by travelling), i.e. dispose of as… ὑπάρχω (hypárchō, G5225) — to begin under (quietly), i.e. come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively,… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. σός (sós, G4674) — thine ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because τίθημι (títhēmi, G5087) — to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive… τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing πρᾶγμα (prâgma, G4229) — a deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object (material)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἀνανίας (Ananías, G367) — Ananias, the name of three Israelites ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) τούτους (toútous, G5128) — these (persons, as objective of verb or preposition) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… πίπτω (píptō, G4098) — to fall (literally or figuratively) ἐκψύχω (ekpsýchō, G1634) — to expire καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) φόβος (phóbos, G5401) — alarm or fright γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νέος (néos, G3501) — "new", i.e. (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate ἀνίστημι (anístēmi, G450) — to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) συστέλλω (systéllō, G4958) — to send (draw) together, i.e. enwrap (enshroud a corpse for burial), contract (an… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐκφέρω (ekphérō, G1627) — to bear out (literally or figuratively) θάπτω (tháptō, G2290) — to celebrate funeral rites, i.e. inter
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) διάστημα (diástēma, G1292) — an interval τρεῖς (treîs, G5140) — "three" ὥρα (hṓra, G5610) — an "hour" (literally or figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai, G1525) — to enter (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) μοί (moí, G3427) — to me εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. ἀποδίδωμι (apodídōmi, G591) — to give away, i.e. up, over, back, etc. (in various applications) χωρίον (chōríon, G5564) — a spot or plot of ground τοσοῦτος (tosoûtos, G5118) — apparently from G3588 (ὁ) and G3739 (ὅς)) and G3778 (οὗτος) (including its variations);… ναί (naí, G3483) — yes
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you συμφωνέω (symphōnéō, G4856) — to be harmonious, i.e. (figuratively) to accord (be suitable, concur) or stipulate (by… πειράζω (peirázō, G3985) — to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; πούς (poús, G4228) — a "foot" (figuratively or literally)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πίπτω (píptō, G4098) — to fall (literally or figuratively) παραχρῆμα (parachrēma, G3916) — at the thing itself, i.e. instantly παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πούς (poús, G4228) — a "foot" (figuratively or literally) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐκψύχω (ekpsýchō, G1634) — to expire νεανίσκος (neanískos, G3495) — a youth (under forty) εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai, G1525) — to enter (literally or figuratively) εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) ἐκφέρω (ekphérō, G1627) — to bear out (literally or figuratively) θάπτω (tháptō, G2290) — to celebrate funeral rites, i.e. inter
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) φόβος (phóbos, G5401) — alarm or fright γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ὅλος (hólos, G3650) — "whole" or "all", i.e. complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter)… ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) χείρ (cheír, G5495) — the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or… ἀπόστολος (apóstolos, G652) — a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… σημεῖον (sēmeîon, G4592) — an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τέρας (téras, G5059) — a prodigy or omen ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἅπας (hápas, G537) — absolutely all or (singular) every one ὁμοθυμαδόν (homothymadón, G3661) — unanimously
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. λοιποί (loipoí, G3062) — remaining ones τολμάω (tolmáō, G5111) — probably itself from the base of G5056 (τέλος) through the idea of extreme conduct); to… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing κολλάω (kolláō, G2853) — to glue, i.e. (passively or reflexively) to stick (figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) μεγαλύνω (megalýnō, G3170) — to make (or declare) great, i.e. increase or (figuratively) extol
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… προστίθημι (prostíthēmi, G4369) — to place additionally, i.e. lay beside, annex, repeat μᾶλλον (mâllon, G3123) — (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… πλῆθος (plēthos, G4128) — a fulness, i.e. a large number, throng, populace τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife
Open source ↗Cross-references
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A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use.
Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away.
Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.