Acts 5:3

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Kefa said, “Why 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?

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:3 records Peter's direct confrontation with Ananias, revealing the profound spiritual gravity of his deception. Ananias, in collusion with his wife Sapphira, had sold a piece of property but secretly withheld a portion of the proceeds while presenting the remainder as the full amount to the apostles. Peter's inspired words expose this act not merely as a lie to men, but as a direct affront to the Holy Spirit, highlighting Satan's influence in prompting the deceit and underscoring the early church's commitment to truth and the divine presence within their community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 5:3 is situated immediately after a period of remarkable unity and generosity within the nascent Christian community in Jerusalem. Acts 4:32-35 describes the believers sharing all things in common, with those who owned property selling it and laying the proceeds at the apostles' feet for distribution to those in need. This communal spirit is exemplified by Barnabas, who sold a field and brought the entire sum to the apostles in [Acts 4:36-37](/acts/4-36-37 "Acts 4:36-37 - Barnabas's Generosity"). The narrative of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) serves as a stark contrast to this generosity and purity, acting as a crucial cautionary tale that establishes the seriousness of hypocrisy and deceit within the new covenant community, particularly in the presence of the Holy Spirit. It marks a pivotal moment where divine judgment is meted out to preserve the integrity of the early church.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church in Jerusalem operated within a Jewish cultural framework where communal sharing and charitable giving were highly valued, though the extent seen in Acts was unprecedented. There was no compulsion to sell property; the sharing was voluntary. However, once a commitment or offering was made, especially one presented to God or His representatives, it was considered a sacred vow. Deception in such matters, particularly concerning consecrated funds, would have been viewed with extreme seriousness, echoing Old Testament precedents like Achan's sin in [Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin") where covetousness and deceit brought judgment upon the community. The rapid growth of the church also necessitated a strong foundation of integrity, and this incident served as a powerful deterrent against corruption from within, establishing a standard of truthfulness essential for its spiritual health and witness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes in Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully asserts the **divinity and personhood of the Holy Spirit**, portraying Him not as an impersonal force but as God Himself, capable of being lied to and discerning the intentions of the heart, as Peter explicitly states in [Acts 5:4](/acts/5-4 "Acts 5:4 - Peter's Clarification"). Secondly, it highlights the reality of **Satan's influence** as a tempter who can "fill" the heart, leading individuals to sin, echoing the serpent's role in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Man") and Jesus's description of Satan as the "father of lies" in [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - Satan, the Father of Lies"). Thirdly, the incident underscores the **critical importance of integrity and authenticity** within the Christian community, emphasizing that outward acts of piety must correspond with inward truthfulness. Finally, it demonstrates God's **zeal for the purity and sanctity of His church**, establishing a precedent that hypocrisy and deceit would not be tolerated in the nascent body of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **filled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** This word (G4137) means "to make replete," "to cram," or "to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence)." In this context, it signifies a deep, pervasive influence or control. Peter's choice of "filled" suggests that Satan's suggestion was not a fleeting thought but had thoroughly permeated Ananias's heart, taking full possession of his will and intentions, leading to a deliberate and calculated act of deception rather than a momentary lapse.
* **heart (Greek, _kardía'_):** The term "heart" (G2588) in biblical usage refers to the core of a person's being—the center of thought, will, emotion, and moral character. It is the seat of one's inner life, motives, and intentions. By stating that Satan "filled thine heart," Peter indicates that the deception originated from Ananias's innermost self, influenced by evil, making the lie a reflection of a corrupted inner state rather than merely an external action.
* **lie (Greek, _pseúdomai'_):** This verb (G5574) means "to utter an untruth" or "to attempt to deceive by falsehood." It denotes a deliberate act of misrepresentation. The gravity of Ananias's sin is amplified by the object of his lie: "to the Holy Ghost." This elevates the falsehood from a human transaction to a direct affront against the divine, revealing the Holy Spirit's presence and active discernment within the early church.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Peter said, Ananias,"**: This opening sets a confrontational tone. Peter, acting under divine inspiration, directly addresses Ananias, indicating that the matter is serious and personal, not a general accusation. The "But" (G1161, _dé_) serves as an adversative particle, sharply contrasting Ananias's deceit with the preceding accounts of genuine generosity and unity in the church.
* **"why hath Satan filled thine heart"**: This is a rhetorical question that immediately identifies the source of Ananias's sinful action. Peter attributes the deep-seated intention to Satan, implying that Ananias had yielded to demonic influence. The phrase "filled thine heart" emphasizes the pervasive nature of this influence, indicating that the deception was not a spontaneous mistake but a deliberate act stemming from a heart fully given over to the temptation.
* **"to lie to the Holy Ghost,"**: This is the core accusation and the most profound aspect of the verse. Peter declares that Ananias's deception was not merely against the apostles or the community, but directly against the Holy Spirit. This statement unequivocally affirms the Holy Spirit's divine personhood and omniscience, capable of being deceived (or rather, perceiving the deception) and equating a lie against Him with a lie against God Himself, as confirmed in the subsequent verse ([Acts 5:4](/acts/5-4 "Acts 5:4 - Peter's Clarification")).
* **"and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?"**: This clause specifies the nature of Ananias's deceit. The phrase "to keep back" (G3557, _nosphízomai_) means "to sequestrate for oneself" or "to embezzle," indicating a deliberate act of withholding a portion while pretending to give the whole. The sin was not in withholding part of the money (as selling the land and giving the proceeds was voluntary), but in the pretense and deception—claiming to give the entire amount when he had secretly retained some.

#### Literary Devices
Peter's confrontation with Ananias employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?" This question is not posed to elicit information, but to underscore the gravity of Ananias's sin and to reveal its true spiritual origin and object. It functions as a powerful accusation and condemnation. Furthermore, the statement utilizes **Personification** by attributing the act of "filling" Ananias's heart directly to Satan, portraying him as an active, influencing agent in human sin. This emphasizes the reality of spiritual warfare and the external forces that tempt individuals. The stark contrast between Ananias's outward act of piety and his inward deceit also creates a profound sense of **Dramatic Irony**, as Ananias believes he is deceiving only men, while Peter, through divine revelation, exposes his lie as being against God Himself. This revelation also highlights the **Divine Omniscience** of the Holy Spirit, who perceives the hidden intentions of the heart.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:3 is a foundational text for understanding the nature of the Holy Spirit and the sanctity of the early church. It unequivocally establishes the Holy Spirit as a divine person, not merely a force, capable of being lied to and discerning the deepest intentions of the human heart. This incident serves as a stark warning against hypocrisy and deceit within the community of faith, demonstrating God's zealous commitment to purity and truth among His people. It underscores that sin against fellow believers, particularly in matters of integrity and stewardship, is ultimately a sin against God Himself, who indwells His church through the Spirit. The severity of the judgment on Ananias and Sapphira highlights the serious consequences of attempts to defile the nascent body of Christ, setting a powerful precedent for the early church's moral and spiritual standards.

* [Numbers 14:27-29](/numbers/14-27-29 "Numbers 14:27-29 - God's Judgment on Disbelief")
* [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalm/139-7-12 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence and Omniscience")
* [Ephesians 4:25](/ephesians/4-25 "Ephesians 4:25 - Speak Truth to One Another")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Peter's piercing question to Ananias in Acts 5:3 serves as an enduring and sobering reminder for believers today regarding the profound seriousness of our motives and actions before God. It challenges us to live lives of uncompromising authenticity, recognizing that our ultimate audience is not man, but the omniscient Holy Spirit who indwells us and the church. This passage compels us to examine the hidden corners of our hearts, where temptation may lurk, and to confront any inclination towards pretense, hypocrisy, or deceit, especially in matters of faith, giving, or service within the community. It calls us to cultivate a deep reverence for the Holy Spirit, understanding that He is not merely an abstract concept but the living God who perceives our innermost thoughts and intentions. The incident with Ananias and Sapphira, though severe, was a necessary act to establish the purity and integrity of the early church, and it continues to impress upon us the vital importance of truthfulness in all our dealings, ensuring that our outward expressions of faith are a genuine reflection of our inward commitment to Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life, particularly within my faith or community, might I be tempted to present a false image or withhold truth?**
* **How does understanding the Holy Spirit as "God" (as implied in this verse) impact my reverence and accountability in daily life?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate greater authenticity and integrity in my walk with God and my interactions with others?**
* **How does the reality of Satan's influence, as described here, shape my understanding of temptation and spiritual warfare?**

### FAQ

**Was Ananias required to sell his land and give all the money to the apostles?**

Answer: No, Ananias was not required to sell his land, nor was he compelled to give all the proceeds to the apostles. The early church's practice of sharing possessions, as described in [Acts 4:32-35](/acts/4-32-35 "The Believers Share All Things"), was entirely voluntary. Peter explicitly clarifies this in [Acts 5:4](/acts/5-4 "Peter's Clarification"), stating, "Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?" The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not in withholding a portion of the money, but in their deceit—pretending to give the entire amount while secretly keeping back part of the price, thus lying to the Holy Spirit and the community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:3, while a stark account of judgment, ultimately points to the profound implications of Christ's work and the new covenant He inaugurated. The Holy Spirit, against whom Ananias lied, is the very Spirit poured out by the ascended Christ, fulfilling the Old Testament promises of a new heart and a new Spirit ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit")). The purity and integrity demanded by the Holy Spirit in the early church reflect the holiness of God, a holiness perfectly embodied by Jesus Christ, who was without sin and "did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth" ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinlessness")). Ananias's sin of deceit, prompted by Satan, stands in stark contrast to Christ's unwavering truthfulness and His victory over the "father of lies" ([John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - Satan, the Father of Lies")). The severe judgment on Ananias underscores the gravity of sin, particularly against the divine presence, yet it simultaneously magnifies the grace of God found in Christ, who bore the full penalty for such sin on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through Christ's sacrifice, believers are forgiven and empowered by the same Holy Spirit to live lives of truth and integrity, reflecting the character of the One who purchased them with His own blood ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies are Temples of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, this passage, by revealing the Holy Spirit's divine nature and the seriousness of sin, ultimately directs our gaze to Christ, the source of our redemption and the power for living a life pleasing to God.

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

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

¶ 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?