- 1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
- 2And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
- 3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
- 4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
- 5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
- 6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
- 7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
- 8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
- 9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
- 10Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
- 11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
- 12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
- 13And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
- 14And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
- 15Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
- 16There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
- 17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
- 18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
- 19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
- 20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
- 21And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
- 22But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
- 23Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
- 24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
- 25Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
- 26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
- 27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
- 28Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
- 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
- 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
- 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
- 32And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
- 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
- 34Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
- 35And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
- 36For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
- 37After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
- 38And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
- 39But if it be of God, ye can not overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
- 40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
- 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
- 42And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
KING JAMES VERSION
ACTS 5
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Acts 5 — Holy fear, signs, imprisonment, and deliverance reveal a church that obeys God rather than men and will not cease teaching Jesus Christ.
About this illustration
The open prison and return to the temple represent the chapter’s movement from opposition to renewed witness. The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira and the apostles’ beating are intentionally omitted to keep the image non-graphic.
Scripture basis: Acts 5:1–42King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEInscription
Early first century AD
The Aemilius Secundus Census Inscription
The Latin career inscription of Quintus Aemilius Secundus records that he counted Apamea's citizens by Quirinius's order, documenting Roman census administration in Syria while leaving Luke's nativity chronology unresolved.
Luke 2:1–5 · Acts 5:37
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
4th Century
Papyrus P8: Acts 5:2–9 in a Greek Witness
Papyrus P8 is an early fourth-century two-leaf codex fragment in Berlin preserving Acts 4:31-6:15, including communal sharing, Ananias and Sapphira, and the appointment of the Seven.
Acts 4:31–37 · Acts 5:1–42 · Acts 6:1–15
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
First century BC–AD 67 destruction
Gamla Synagogue and Revolt Destruction
Gamla preserves an early synagogue within a fortified Jewish town destroyed by Rome in AD 67, with siegeworks, weapons, coins, and a violent destruction layer.
Matthew 4:23 · Luke 4:14–16 · Acts 5:37
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
fourth century AD (palaeographic estimate; some catalogues allow fourth–fifth)
Papyrus P57: Acts 4:36–5:10
Pap. Vindob. G. 26020, Gregory-Aland P57, is a fourth-century Greek papyrus fragment preserving the transition from Barnabas's gift to the judgment of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 4–5.
Acts 4:36–37 · Acts 5:1–2 · Acts 5:8–10
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
late 2nd to early 3rd century AD
GA 0189: The Earliest Surviving New Testament Parchment Leaf
One Greek parchment leaf containing Acts 5:3-21, held by the Berlin State Museums. A very early direct witness to Acts 5 and to the physical transition from papyrus to parchment codices in Christian book production.
Acts 5:3–21
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Ninth century AD, with later replacement leaves
Codex Mutinensis (GA 014)
Codex Mutinensis (GA 014) is a distinct physical witness to the material transmission and reception of Scripture, identified by its own shelfmark, date, contents, and custodial history.
Acts 5:27–32 · Acts 1:1–11
Prophecy Events
Sermons
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View sermon The Anointing of the Holy Spirit
In “The Anointing of the Holy Spirit,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about holiness, the anointing, the Holy Spirit. Drawing especially from John 14:12, Luke 4, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3, the teaching emphasizes that God calls believers to reject compromise and pursue practical holiness. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that spiritual anointing is given for service and must remain joined to character and obedience.
Doctrine and DiscernmentHoly Spirit and Spiritual GiftsChristian Living
View sermon Knowing the Holy Spirit
Dean Odle teaches that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct work following conversion and that the New Testament gifts remain for the church. He identifies the Spirit as the Spirit of truth and grace, surveys Acts and 1 Corinthians, and argues that tongues, prophecy, healing, and other manifestations should be welcomed and tested rather than quenched.
Holy Spirit and Spiritual GiftsPrayer and RevivalChurch and MinistryDoctrine and Discernment
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 6 sermons