Acts 5:6

KJV

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried [him] out, and buried [him].

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} the young men {G3501} arose {G450}, wound {G4958} him {G846} up {G4958}, and {G2532} carried him out {G1627}, and buried {G2290} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

The young men got up, wrapped his body in a shroud, carried him out and buried him.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the young men stepped forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

American Standard Version

And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:6 succinctly describes the immediate and practical response of the early Christian community following the sudden, divinely-ordained death of Ananias. This verse highlights the swift preparation and removal of his body by "young men," underscoring the finality and gravity of the divine judgment against hypocrisy and deceit that had just occurred within the nascent church.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the immediate follow-up to the shocking event in [Acts 5:5](/acts/5-5 "Acts 5:5 - Ananias's Death") where Ananias, having lied to the Holy Spirit about the proceeds from a land sale, falls down dead. The narrative of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) serves as a foundational account demonstrating God's zero tolerance for sin, particularly hypocrisy and deceit, within the newly formed Christian community. Verse 6 describes the practical consequence of Ananias's death, emphasizing the swiftness and finality of the judgment, which is then mirrored in the death of his wife, Sapphira, in [Acts 5:10](/acts/5-10 "Acts 5:10 - Sapphira's Death"). The prompt action of the "young men" highlights the immediate impact of God's holiness on the community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, burial typically occurred very quickly after death, often within hours, due to the warm climate, lack of embalming practices, and religious customs (cf. [Deuteronomy 21:22-23](/deuteronomy/21-22-23 "Deuteronomy 21:22-23 - Burial of the Executed")). The body would be washed, wrapped in linen cloths (often with spices, as seen with [Jesus' burial](/john/19-40 "John 19:40 - Jesus' Burial Preparation")), and then carried out for burial in a tomb or cave. The "young men" (Greek: _neōteroi_) likely refers to able-bodied, younger members of the community, not necessarily an official group, who would naturally undertake such a physically demanding and immediate task. This swift, customary burial underscores the urgency and finality of the event, preventing any prolonged public display of the body and maintaining ritual purity.
* **Key Themes:** The immediate action described in [Acts 5:6](/acts/5-6 "Acts 5:6 - Ananias's Burial") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the **holiness and purity of the early church**, established by God's direct intervention. This incident, alongside the subsequent death of Sapphira, powerfully demonstrates the **seriousness of lying to the Holy Spirit**, emphasizing that deceit within the community is not merely a human offense but an affront to God Himself (cf. [Acts 5:4](/acts/5-4 "Acts 5:4 - Lying to God")). Furthermore, it highlights the **divine judgment against sin**, serving as a stark warning and instilling "great fear" (as noted in [Acts 5:11](/acts/5-11 "Acts 5:11 - Great Fear in the Church")) upon all who heard about it, thus preserving the integrity and awe surrounding the burgeoning Christian movement.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **arose (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** This verb, meaning "to stand up" or "to rise," emphasizes the immediate and decisive action of the young men. It conveys a sense of urgency and readiness, highlighting the swift response to the shocking event.
* **wound him up (Greek, _systéllō'_):** This term specifically refers to wrapping or enshrouding a corpse for burial. It indicates the customary preparation of the body, likely involving swathing it in grave clothes, a necessary and respectful act in ancient Jewish burial practices. The promptness of this action further emphasizes the immediate finality of Ananias's death.
* **buried (Greek, _tháptō'_):** This primary verb means "to celebrate funeral rites" or "to inter." It signifies the completion of the burial process, indicating that Ananias was given a traditional, albeit swift, interment. The inclusion of this word highlights the full and irreversible consequence of his sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the young men arose":** This phrase introduces the agents of action – the able-bodied, younger members of the community. Their immediate "arising" signifies a prompt and decisive response to the sudden death of Ananias, indicating a practical and orderly handling of a shocking situation.
* **"wound him up":** This describes the preparation of Ananias's body for burial. In ancient Jewish custom, this involved wrapping the corpse in linen cloths, often with spices, to prepare it for interment. This action, though brief, signifies the respectful but swift execution of burial rites.
* **"and carried him out, and buried him":** This final clause details the completion of the burial process. The body was removed from the gathering place and interred, likely in a nearby tomb or burial ground. The conciseness of this description underscores the finality and rapid execution of the divine judgment and its immediate consequences.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 5:6 employs several literary devices to heighten its impact. The most prominent is **Concision**, as the verse describes a significant action—the preparation and burial of a body—with remarkable brevity. This concision amplifies the sense of abruptness and finality surrounding Ananias's death, emphasizing the immediate and unceremonious nature of God's judgment. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony** in the swift, practical response of the young men contrasted with the deliberate, secretive deceit of Ananias. The community acts with immediate transparency in handling the body, while Ananias acted with hidden duplicity. Furthermore, the "young men" can be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, representing the practical, communal response of the early church to maintain order and purity in the face of divine intervention. The verse's stark, factual reporting also contributes to a sense of **Verisimilitude**, lending credibility to the extraordinary event.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:6, in its stark depiction of Ananias's swift burial, underscores the profound biblical truth of God's absolute holiness and His demand for integrity within His covenant community. This event serves as a foundational lesson for the early church, demonstrating that the Holy Spirit's presence was not merely a source of power and blessing, but also of divine scrutiny and judgment against sin. It highlights that deceit, especially when it involves misrepresenting one's devotion or resources to God, is an affront to His very nature. The severity of the consequence emphasizes that the purity of the church, as God's dwelling place, is paramount, and God will act decisively to preserve it.

* [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Judgment")
* [1 Corinthians 11:27-30](/1_corinthians/11-27-30 "1 Corinthians 11:27-30 - Unworthy Communion")
* [Hebrews 12:28-29](/hebrews/12-28-29 "Hebrews 12:28-29 - God is a Consuming Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:6, though brief, serves as a powerful reminder of the gravity with which God views sin, particularly hypocrisy and deceit, within His church. While we do not typically witness such immediate physical consequences today, this narrative profoundly teaches us about God's unchanging character: He is holy, just, and utterly truthful. It challenges us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that our outward expressions of faith genuinely reflect inward truth and integrity. This account calls believers to a profound reverence for God's presence in the community and a commitment to transparency in all our dealings, recognizing that our actions are ultimately before Him. It encourages us to cultivate a fear of the Lord that leads to genuine repentance and a pursuit of holiness, fostering a church environment where truth and purity are cherished.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the swiftness of Ananias's burial challenge my understanding of God's holiness and justice?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to present a false image or be less than fully truthful, even within the church community?**
* **What does this account teach me about the importance of integrity and transparency in my relationship with God and with others?**

### FAQ

**Who were "the young men" mentioned in Acts 5:6, and what was their role?**

Answer: The "young men" (Greek: _neōteroi_) were likely able-bodied, younger male members of the early Christian community. Their role was a practical one: to swiftly prepare Ananias's body for burial and carry it out. In ancient Jewish culture, burial occurred very quickly after death, usually within hours, due to climate and religious custom (cf. [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Burial of the Executed Corpse")). They were not necessarily an official group or specific office within the early church but simply those capable and available to perform the necessary, albeit shocking, task of handling the deceased. Their prompt action underscores the immediate and undeniable impact of God's judgment.

**Why was Ananias's burial so swift and seemingly unceremonious?**

Answer: Ananias's burial was swift for several interconnected reasons, rooted in ancient Jewish custom and the dramatic circumstances. Firstly, Jewish law and practice mandated prompt burial, typically on the day of death, especially in warm climates to prevent decomposition and maintain ritual purity (cf. [John 11:39](/john/11-39 "John 11:39 - Lazarus's Burial")). Secondly, the sudden and divinely-ordained nature of his death, as a judgment for lying to the Holy Spirit, demanded an immediate response that would underscore the gravity and finality of the event. The lack of elaborate ceremony emphasized the severity of the judgment and prevented any prolonged public display of the body, which might have been seen as a desecration or a source of uncleanness. The swiftness conveyed a powerful message to the nascent church about God's holiness and the seriousness of sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:6, detailing the swift burial of Ananias, serves as a stark reminder of the absolute holiness of God and the seriousness of sin, particularly deceit, within His covenant community. While the immediate physical judgment seen here is unique to the foundational period of the church, it points to a deeper truth about the nature of sin and God's response to it, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God, bore the full weight of God's judgment against sin on the cross, experiencing separation and death so that those who believe in Him might be reconciled to a holy God (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Ananias's death highlights the inherent impurity that sin brings into God's presence, but Christ's sacrifice cleanses us from all unrighteousness, making us pure and acceptable before God (cf. [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). The purity that God demanded for the early church, dramatically demonstrated in Acts 5, is now graciously provided through Christ's atoning work, enabling believers to approach God not with fear of immediate physical judgment for every sin, but with reverence and confidence, knowing that their sins have been dealt with by the ultimate sacrifice (cf. [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")).

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

John 19:40

Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Leviticus 10:4

And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.

Leviticus 10:6

And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.

Deuteronomy 21:23

His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

2 Samuel 18:17

And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.