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?

But {G1161} Peter {G4074} said {G2036}, Ananias {G367}, why {G1302} hath Satan {G4567} filled {G4137} thine {G4675} heart {G2588}{G4571} to lie {G5574} to the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151}, and {G2532} to keep back {G3557} part of {G575} the price {G5092} of the land {G5564}?

Then Kefa said, โ€œWhy has the Adversary so filled your heart that you lie to the Ruach HaKodesh and keep back some of the money you received for the land?

Then Peter said, โ€œAnanias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Commentary

Context

Acts 5:3 is a pivotal moment in the early Christian community, immediately following the inspiring accounts of unity and generosity among believers. The nascent church in Jerusalem practiced voluntary sharing of possessions, with members selling property and laying the proceeds at the apostles' feet to be distributed according to need. This communal spirit is highlighted by the example of Barnabas, who sold a field and gave the entire sum (Acts 4:37). Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple, also sold property but secretly conspired to withhold a portion of the sale price while pretending to give the whole amount. Peter's direct confrontation reveals the gravity of their deception within a community founded on truth and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Gravity of Deception: Peter's accusation elevates Ananias's lie from a mere human deception to a direct affront against God. It was not just about the money, but the pretense of full devotion while harboring deceit.
  • The Personhood and Divinity of the Holy Spirit: By stating Ananias lied "to the Holy Ghost," Peter unequivocally underscores the divine personhood of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is presented not as an impersonal force, but as God Himself, capable of being lied to and perceiving the intentions of the heart. As Peter further clarifies in the very next verse, Ananias had lied "unto God."
  • Satan's Influence: Peter attributes this deception to Satan, the father of lies. This indicates that sin often originates from external temptation, which, when yielded to, "fills" the heart and leads to outward actions.
  • Integrity in the Community: This incident served as a stark warning to the early church, emphasizing the critical importance of honesty, integrity, and genuine commitment in the new covenant community.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "filled thine heart" (Greek: eplemosen sou tฤ“n kardian) suggests a deep, pervasive influence rather than a fleeting thought. It implies that Satan had gained significant control over Ananias's inner being, leading him to fully embrace the deception. The term "lie to the Holy Ghost" (Greek: pseudomai to Pneuma to Hagion) is a direct and forceful declaration, leaving no ambiguity about the object of Ananias's deceit. It highlights the direct spiritual nature of the transgression.

Practical Application

Acts 5:3 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Honesty Before God: Our actions, even those hidden from human eyes, are known to God. This verse challenges us to live with authenticity and integrity, recognizing that we ultimately answer to Him.
  • Resisting Temptation: It highlights the reality of spiritual warfare and Satan's attempts to entice believers into sin. We are called to be vigilant and resist such influences (James 4:7).
  • Reverence for the Holy Spirit: The passage deepens our understanding of the Holy Spirit's divine nature and calls for profound reverence. Deceiving others, especially within the church, is seen as deceiving God Himself.
  • The Seriousness of Hypocrisy: This account underscores that hypocrisy and pretense, especially in matters of faith and generosity, are taken very seriously by God. It's a call for truthfulness among believers.

Reflection

Peter's sharp rebuke to Ananias in Acts 5:3 reveals the profound spiritual implications of deceit within God's community. It establishes a powerful precedent for the sanctity and purity of the early church, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit is not to be trifled with. This verse continues to challenge us to examine our motives and ensure our outward actions genuinely reflect the truth in our hearts before God.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 23:24

    Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

  • Isaiah 29:15

    Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

  • John 13:27

    And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

  • John 13:2

    And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's [son], to betray him;

  • 1 Peter 5:8

    ยถ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

  • Acts 5:9

    Then 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.

  • Job 22:13

    And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?
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