Acts 5:1

KJV

¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} a certain {G5100} man {G435} named {G3686} Ananias {G367}, with {G4862} Sapphira {G4551} his {G846} wife {G1135}, sold {G4453} a possession {G2933},

Complete Jewish Bible

But there was a man named Hananyah who, with his wife Shappirah, sold some property

Berean Standard Bible

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.

American Standard Version

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:1 introduces the pivotal figures of Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple whose actions would soon serve as a stark warning to the nascent Christian community in Jerusalem. This verse, seemingly innocuous, sets the stage for a dramatic account of deception and divine judgment, immediately following a period of remarkable unity and generosity among the believers, highlighting a significant turning point in the early church's development and the Holy Spirit's active presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 5:1 immediately follows the inspiring account of the early church's communal life, particularly the generosity of believers like Barnabas, who sold a field and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet ([Acts 4:36-37](/acts/4-36-37 "Barnabas's Generosity")). The preceding chapters, especially [Acts 2:42-47](/acts/2-42-47 "The Fellowship of the Believers") and [Acts 4:32-35](/acts/4-32-35 "Community and Generosity in the Early Church"), emphasize the profound unity, selflessness, and spiritual fervor of the early Christian community, where "all who believed were together and had all things in common" ([Acts 2:44](/acts/2-44 "Early Believers Held All Things in Common")). This verse thus initiates a narrative that provides a sharp contrast to the prevailing atmosphere of genuine fellowship and highlights the severe consequences of hypocrisy within a Spirit-filled community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church in Jerusalem operated within a Jewish cultural framework, where communal living and charitable giving were highly valued, though not typically to the extent seen in the early Christian community. The practice of selling possessions and sharing the proceeds was voluntary, driven by a profound sense of koinonia (fellowship) and a belief in the imminent return of Christ. This was not a command for all believers at all times, but a specific, Spirit-led response to the unique circumstances of the early church in Jerusalem, characterized by a deep commitment to one another and to the apostles' teaching. The temple system and synagogue life were still central, but the Christian community was forming a distinct identity, marked by devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, as described in [Acts 2:42](/acts/2-42 "Devotion of the Early Church").
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several key themes that will unfold in the subsequent narrative. First, it underscores the **integrity and purity of the early church**, demonstrating that God's presence among His people demands truthfulness, especially in matters of spiritual commitment and communal giving. Second, it highlights the **active role of the Holy Spirit** in discerning truth and falsehood within the community, setting a precedent for the seriousness with which God views deception in His house. Third, it serves as a **warning against hypocrisy and pretense**, contrasting sharply with the genuine generosity exemplified by others, such as Barnabas. This narrative, beginning with the introduction of Ananias and Sapphira, ultimately reinforces the sanctity of the church as God's dwelling place, where deceit cannot stand unchallenged, echoing principles of holiness found throughout Scripture, such as in [Leviticus 19:11](/leviticus/19-11 "Do not lie or deceive").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _dé'_):** This primary particle serves as an adversative conjunction, indicating a contrast or transition. Here, it signals a shift from the previous positive accounts of generosity and unity to a new, problematic development. It implicitly sets Ananias and Sapphira's actions apart from the genuine spirit of giving seen in others, particularly Barnabas.
* **man (Greek, _anḗr'_):** This term specifically refers to an individual male, often implying his role as a husband or head of a household. Its use here, alongside "Sapphira his wife," emphasizes the joint nature of their decision and action, highlighting the shared responsibility in the unfolding narrative.
* **wife (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** This word denotes a woman, specifically in the context of marriage. The inclusion of Sapphira as "his wife" underscores the marital unit's involvement in the transaction and the subsequent deception, emphasizing that their sin was a joint venture, not merely an individual act.
* **sold (Greek, _pōléō'_):** This verb means "to barter" or "to sell." It indicates the act of liquidating an asset for money. The act of selling itself was not the issue; rather, it was the subsequent deception regarding the proceeds that became the central problem.
* **possession (Greek, _ktēma'_):** This noun refers to an acquirement, an estate, or a piece of property, typically land. It clarifies what Ananias and Sapphira sold, placing their action within the context of the communal sharing of material wealth that characterized the early Jerusalem church.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But a certain man named Ananias,"**: This introduces the primary male figure, Ananias, whose name means "Yahweh is gracious" or "God has favored." The use of "But" (Greek _dé_) immediately signals a departure from the positive examples previously described, setting a tone of impending conflict or contrast.
* **"with Sapphira his wife,"**: The inclusion of Sapphira, whose name means "sapphire" or "beautiful," indicates that this was a joint decision and action. Their unity in the act of selling their property foreshadows their unity in the subsequent deception and shared fate. This highlights the corporate responsibility within the marriage covenant.
* **"sold a possession,"**: This phrase describes the specific action taken by the couple. Like many other believers, they sold a piece of property. This act, in itself, was voluntary and commendable within the context of the early church's communal life. The problem would arise not from the sale, but from their subsequent handling of the proceeds, as revealed in the verses that follow.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 5:1 employs several literary devices to introduce this pivotal narrative. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the seemingly neutral statement of a couple selling property immediately following acts of genuine generosity hints at an impending negative event. The conjunction "But" (Greek _dé_) acts as a subtle **Adversative Conjunction**, signaling a shift in narrative tone and introducing a contrasting situation to the preceding accounts of unity and selfless giving. The naming of both Ananias and Sapphira, a specific **Introduction of Characters**, immediately establishes them as central figures and emphasizes their joint agency in the events that follow. This direct and unadorned introduction creates a sense of impending drama, setting the stage for one of the most severe divine judgments recorded in the New Testament against members of the church.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:1 initiates a profound theological discussion on the nature of truth, integrity, and the sanctity of the church as God's dwelling place. The voluntary act of selling a possession, which in others was a sign of genuine devotion and communal love, becomes, in the case of Ananias and Sapphira, the prelude to a severe breach of trust and an attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit. This narrative underscores that God demands not merely outward acts of piety but genuine sincerity of heart. It highlights the serious implications of hypocrisy within the believing community, emphasizing that the church, as the body of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit, must be characterized by authenticity and truthfulness. The judgment that follows this initial act serves as a powerful demonstration of God's holiness and His commitment to maintaining the purity of His people, especially in the nascent stages of the church's formation.

* [Psalm 51:6](/psalms/51-6 "God Desires Truth in the Inward Being")
* [Ephesians 4:25](/ephesians/4-25 "Speak Truth with Your Neighbor")
* [2 Corinthians 8:21](/2_corinthians/8-21 "Providing for What is Honorable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:1, though simply introducing a couple and their action, serves as a profound starting point for reflection on the essential nature of integrity within the Christian life and community. It challenges us to examine our motives in acts of generosity, service, or worship. Are our outward expressions of faith matched by an inward sincerity of heart? The early church was a community where the Holy Spirit was powerfully at work, and this account reminds us that God's presence demands truth and transparency. We are called not merely to perform good deeds but to do them with pure intentions, recognizing that all our actions, even those done in private, are known to God. This verse encourages us to cultivate a life of genuine honesty, not just in our financial dealings but in all aspects of our relationships with God and others, fostering an environment where trust and authenticity can flourish within the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the introduction of Ananias and Sapphira challenge my understanding of generosity and sincerity in the Christian life?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to present an outward appearance that doesn't match my inward reality?**
* **What does this verse, as a prelude to judgment, teach me about the seriousness with which God views integrity within the church?**

### FAQ
**Was selling possessions a mandatory requirement for believers in the early church?**

Answer: No, selling possessions was not a mandatory requirement for all believers. [Acts 5:4](/acts/5-4 "Peter's Words to Ananias") explicitly states that the property remained Ananias's to keep before it was sold, and the money was his to control after the sale. The communal sharing described in [Acts 2:44-45](/acts/2-44-45 "Early Believers Shared All Things") and [Acts 4:32-35](/acts/4-32-35 "The Community of Believers") was a voluntary expression of radical generosity and koinonia (fellowship) driven by the Holy Spirit and the unique circumstances of the early Jerusalem church. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not in failing to give all their money, but in lying about it and pretending to give the full amount while secretly withholding some, thus deceiving the Holy Spirit and the apostles.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Acts 5:1 introduces a narrative of human failure and divine judgment, its profound significance is ultimately understood through the lens of Christ's perfect holiness and His establishment of a new covenant community. The integrity demanded by God in the early church, so dramatically underscored by the Ananias and Sapphira account, reflects the very character of Christ, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Jesus consistently exposed hypocrisy, particularly among the religious leaders, emphasizing that true righteousness comes from a pure heart ([Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27-28 "Woe to the Hypocrites")). The church, as the body of Christ, is called to reflect His truthfulness and purity. This narrative serves as a stark reminder that Christ's church is to be a holy dwelling place for the Spirit, cleansed and sanctified by His sacrifice ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ Loved the Church")). The judgment on Ananias and Sapphira, though severe, highlights the seriousness of sin within the new covenant community, demonstrating that God's standards of holiness are not diminished but rather upheld through the indwelling Spirit, preparing His people for the day when they will stand before the righteous Judge, Jesus Christ ([2 Timothy 4:1](/2_timothy/4-1 "Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 10:1

¶ And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

Leviticus 10:3

¶ Then Moses said unto Aaron, This [is it] that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

2 Timothy 2:20

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

Matthew 13:47

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

Matthew 13:48

Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

John 6:37

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Joshua 6:1

¶ Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.