Acts 5:2

KJV

And 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} kept back {G3557} part of {G575} the price {G5092}, his {G846} wife {G1135} also {G2532} being privy {G4894} to it, and {G2532} brought {G5342} a certain {G5100} part {G3313}, and laid {G5087} it at {G3844} the apostles {G652}' feet {G4228}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and, with his wife’s knowledge, withheld some of the proceeds for himself; although he did bring the rest to the emissaries.

Berean Standard Bible

With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

American Standard Version

and 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:2 details the deceptive actions of Ananias, who, with his wife Sapphira's full knowledge and complicity, withheld a portion of the proceeds from a land sale while presenting only a part of it to the apostles. This verse immediately precedes a pivotal moment of divine judgment within the nascent Christian community, setting the stage for a stark illustration of God's intolerance for hypocrisy and deceit, particularly within the context of communal generosity and integrity before the Holy Spirit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 5:2 follows directly from the preceding chapter, which describes the remarkable unity and self-sacrificial generosity of the early church in Jerusalem. [Acts 4:32-37](/acts/4-32-37 "Acts 4:32-37 - The Early Church's Generosity") highlights the communal practice where believers, having one heart and soul, shared all things, with no one claiming private ownership of possessions. Those who owned lands or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds to the apostles' feet for distribution to those in need. Barnabas is specifically mentioned as a positive example, selling a field and laying the money at the apostles' feet ([Acts 4:36-37](/acts/4-36-37 "Acts 4:36-37 - Barnabas's Example of Generosity")). Acts 5:1 introduces Ananias and Sapphira, immediately contrasting their actions with this spirit of genuine generosity and transparency, thereby setting up the dramatic confrontation and divine judgment that unfolds in the subsequent verses of [Acts 5](/acts/5 "Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira; Apostles Imprisoned").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian community in Jerusalem operated within a Jewish cultural framework, albeit with a revolutionary new understanding of Messiah and community. The practice of selling property and sharing proceeds was not a mandatory command but a spontaneous expression of radical discipleship and communal solidarity, driven by the Holy Spirit's empowering presence. This was a voluntary act, distinguishing it from compulsory tithes or offerings. The act of "laying it at the apostles' feet" symbolized complete surrender and trust in the apostolic leadership for equitable distribution, reflecting a deep commitment to the community's welfare. Deception within such a high-trust, Spirit-led environment was not merely a social transgression but a profound spiritual offense, particularly given the emphasis on truth and sincerity in the teachings of Jesus and the nascent church's foundational principles.

* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several crucial themes that permeate the narrative of [Acts 5](/acts/5 "Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira; Apostles Imprisoned") and resonate throughout the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Integrity and Sincerity in Giving**, emphasizing that the motive and honesty behind an offering are paramount, not just the act itself. Ananias and Sapphira's sin was not in holding back part of the money (which was their right, as Peter clarifies in [Acts 5:4](/acts/5-4 "Acts 5:4 - Peter's Clarification on Ananias's Sin")), but in their deceptive claim of giving the entire sum. Secondly, it highlights **Complicity and Shared Guilt**, as Sapphira is explicitly stated to be "privy to it," indicating her active participation and agreement in the deceit. Thirdly, the passage introduces the profound **Seriousness of Lying to the Holy Spirit**, a concept explicitly stated in [Acts 5:3-4](/acts/5-3-4 "Acts 5:3-4 - Peter's Confrontation with Ananias"), revealing that their deception was not merely against men but against God Himself, who indwells the community through the Spirit. This event thus serves as a powerful warning against hypocrisy and a demonstration of the Holy Spirit's active presence and authority in the early church.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **kept back (Greek, _nosphízomai'_):** This verb, derived from a root meaning "apart or clandestinely," signifies to "sequestrate for oneself," or "embezzle." It implies a deliberate act of purloining or secretly appropriating something, often with a connotation of theft or misappropriation, even if from one's own property. In the Septuagint, this same term is used to describe Achan's sin of taking devoted things from the spoils of Jericho in [Joshua 7:1](/joshua/7-1 "Joshua 7:1 - Achan's Sin"), establishing a strong biblical precedent for the gravity of Ananias's act as a serious transgression against God.
* **wife (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** This term, meaning "woman" or "wife," is significant here because it explicitly includes Sapphira in the conspiracy. The inclusion of "his wife also being privy to it" immediately establishes her full knowledge and complicity in the deceptive scheme, underscoring the shared nature of their sin and culpability.
* **privy (Greek, _syneídō'_):** From _sýn_ (with) and _eídō_ (to see), this word means "to see completely," or to "understand or become aware," and specifically, "to be conscious or (clandestinely) informed of." Its use here confirms Sapphira's active awareness and participation in the deceitful plan, indicating that she was not an unwitting accomplice but a fully informed partner in the scheme to defraud the community and, ultimately, the Holy Spirit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And kept back [part] of the price":** This clause reveals Ananias's initial act of deception. He sold a piece of property but intentionally withheld a portion of the money, rather than bringing the entire sum as he implicitly claimed or allowed others to assume. The sin was not in the amount given, but in the misrepresentation of it.
* **"his wife also being privy [to it]":** This crucial phrase establishes Sapphira's direct involvement and full knowledge of her husband's deceit. It indicates a premeditated, shared conspiracy between the couple, making her equally culpable in the sin. Her complicity underscores the depth of their joint transgression against the community and God.
* **"and brought a certain part, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet":** This final clause describes the public act of presenting the offering. By bringing only "a certain part" while implying it was the whole, Ananias (and by extension, Sapphira) sought to gain the commendation and respect afforded to those who had genuinely given all, like Barnabas. The act of laying it at the apostles' feet was a public declaration of their supposed generosity and commitment, making their deception a direct affront to the spiritual leadership and the integrity of the early Christian community.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Acts 5:2 employs several key literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident as this verse sets the stage for the dramatic and severe divine judgment that immediately follows, signaling that the actions described are of immense spiritual consequence. The phrase "kept back [part] of the price" introduces a subtle **Irony**, as Ananias and Sapphira seek to gain honor through a partial offering presented as a full one, ultimately leading to their disgrace and death. There is also a strong **Contrast** established between the genuine, Spirit-led generosity of believers like Barnabas (mentioned in the preceding verses) and the calculated, deceptive actions of Ananias and Sapphira, highlighting the purity and integrity expected within the new covenant community. The direct and unvarnished presentation of their deceit also serves as a powerful **Didactic** element, instructing the early church and future generations about the seriousness of hypocrisy before God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:2 serves as a foundational text for understanding the importance of integrity, sincerity, and the profound seriousness of hypocrisy within the covenant community. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not merely financial dishonesty but a deliberate attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, who was actively at work in the nascent church, fostering genuine unity and generosity. Their actions reveal a heart that valued human praise and outward appearance over truthful devotion to God, a stark warning against spiritual pretense. This event underscores that God's presence in the church demands purity and truth, and that He will not tolerate actions that undermine the spiritual integrity of His people, especially when those actions are cloaked in religious piety.

* [Joshua 7:1](/joshua/7-1 "Joshua 7:1 - Achan's Sin"): Achan "kept back" (same Greek word in Septuagint) devoted things, leading to severe consequences for Israel, paralleling Ananias's sin and its divine judgment.
* [Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Proverbs 12:22 - The Lord detests lying lips"): This proverb states, "The Lord detests lying lips, but delights in people who are trustworthy," directly contrasting with the deceitful actions of Ananias and Sapphira.
* [Matthew 6:1-4](/matthew/6-1-4 "Matthew 6:1-4 - Jesus' Teaching on Giving in Secret"): Jesus warns against performing righteous acts to be seen by others, emphasizing that true reward comes from God when actions are done in secret, directly condemning the outward show sought by Ananias and Sapphira.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Ananias and Sapphira, beginning with Acts 5:2, remains a potent and challenging narrative for believers today. It compels us to examine the authenticity of our faith, particularly in areas of service, giving, and public display of piety. The core issue was not the amount of their offering, but the deceit in misrepresenting it, seeking human applause while attempting to defraud God. This passage reminds us that God sees beyond our outward actions and scrutinizes the motives of our hearts. It calls us to a radical transparency and integrity in all aspects of our lives, especially within the community of faith. Are we genuinely seeking to honor God with our resources and our lives, or are we performing for the approval of others? The Holy Spirit's presence in the church today still demands truthfulness and purity, and while the immediate judgment seen in Acts 5 is unique, the principle of God's intolerance for hypocrisy remains constant. Our commitment to Christ must be wholehearted, free from pretense or hidden agendas, built on a foundation of truth and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to present a false image of devotion or generosity to others or even to myself?**
* **How does the story of Ananias and Sapphira challenge my understanding of integrity and transparency within the church community?**
* **What does it mean for me to "lie to the Holy Spirit" in a contemporary context, and how can I guard against such a sin?**
* **Am I more concerned with outward appearances and human approval, or with the genuine state of my heart before God?**

### FAQ

**Was Ananias and Sapphira's sin about giving too little or about lying?**

Answer: Their sin was unequivocally about lying and deception, not about the amount they gave. As Peter clarifies in [Acts 5:4](/acts/5-4 "Acts 5:4 - Peter's Clarification on Ananias's Sin"), the property and its proceeds were entirely theirs to do with as they pleased. They were under no compulsion to sell it or to give any specific amount. Their transgression was in pretending to give the entire sum while secretly withholding a portion, thereby seeking the recognition and honor due to those who had genuinely given all, like Barnabas. This act of deceit was not merely against men but was considered a lie to the Holy Spirit and to God Himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:2, with its stark portrayal of deceit and judgment, stands in profound contrast to the perfect integrity and truthfulness embodied by Jesus Christ. While Ananias and Sapphira sought to gain human approval through a deceptive offering, Christ's entire life was a genuine and complete self-offering, culminating in His perfect sacrifice on the cross. He did not "keep back part of the price" but gave Himself fully, becoming the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Their sin highlights the human propensity for hypocrisy, a condition from which only Christ can deliver us. Through His atoning work, we are not only forgiven for our deceit but are also empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of truth and sincerity, reflecting the character of God. The judgment on Ananias and Sapphira underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin, pointing forward to the ultimate judgment that awaits those who reject Christ's truth ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - Condemnation for Unbelief")). Conversely, for those in Christ, there is no condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")), but rather the promise of new life, marked by genuine faith and integrity, empowered by the Spirit of truth who indwells believers ([John 14:17](/john/14-17 "John 14:17 - The Spirit of Truth")).

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

Acts 4:37

Having land, sold [it], and brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.

2 Peter 2:14

Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

2 Peter 2:15

Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Malachi 1:14

But cursed [be] the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I [am] a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name [is] dreadful among the heathen.

Acts 4:34

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

Acts 4:35

And laid [them] down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Acts 5:3

But 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?