Acts 5:7

KJV

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} it was {G1096} about {G5613} the space {G1292} of three {G5140} hours {G5610} after {G1292}, when {G2532} his {G846} wife {G1135}, not {G3361} knowing {G1492} what was done {G1096}, came in {G1525}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Some three hours later, his wife came in, unaware of what had happened.

Berean Standard Bible

About three hours later his wife also came in, unaware of what had happened.

American Standard Version

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:7 marks a crucial juncture in the narrative of Ananias and Sapphira, detailing the precise timing of Sapphira's arrival "about the space of three hours after" her husband Ananias's death. This verse underscores her complete unawareness of the divine judgment that had just transpired, setting the stage for her own confrontation with Peter and revealing the shared nature of their deception, while highlighting the swift and sovereign action of God within the nascent Christian community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 5:7 is embedded within the dramatic account of Ananias and Sapphira, which immediately follows a description of the early church's unity and communal living, characterized by believers selling possessions and distributing the proceeds to those in need (cf. [Acts 4:32-37](/acts/4-32-37 "Acts 4:32-37 - The Early Community's Generosity")). The preceding verses (cf. [Acts 5:1-6](/acts/5-1-6 "Acts 5:1-6 - Ananias's Deception and Death")) detail Ananias's deception regarding the sale of his property, Peter's confrontation, and Ananias's subsequent death by divine judgment. This verse, therefore, serves as a narrative bridge, transitioning from Ananias's fate to Sapphira's impending encounter, emphasizing the temporal gap that allowed for Ananias's burial and prevented Sapphira from being forewarned. The events immediately following this verse (cf. [Acts 5:8-11](/acts/5-8-11 "Acts 5:8-11 - Sapphira's Deception and Death")) complete the tragic episode, demonstrating the consistent and severe consequences of their shared sin.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian community in Jerusalem, as depicted in Acts, was characterized by a profound sense of unity, shared resources, and fervent devotion (cf. [Acts 2:42-47](/acts/2-42-47 "Acts 2:42-47 - Life in the Early Church")). While communal ownership was not mandated, many believers voluntarily sold their possessions and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet for distribution, signifying a deep commitment to the nascent church and its mission. Against this backdrop of radical generosity and spiritual purity, the actions of Ananias and Sapphira represented a grave offense, not merely against the community, but directly against the Holy Spirit (cf. [Acts 5:3-4](/acts/5-3-4 "Acts 5:3-4 - Peter's Confrontation with Ananias")). Their attempt to gain recognition for generosity while secretly withholding funds was a form of hypocrisy that threatened the spiritual integrity and moral authority of the early church, which was still in its foundational stages and required a clear demonstration of God's holiness and zero tolerance for deceit.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **seriousness of sin and divine judgment**, particularly against hypocrisy and deceit within the community of faith. The swift and public consequences for Ananias and Sapphira establish a precedent for purity and integrity in the early church, demonstrating God's active involvement in maintaining the holiness of His people. Secondly, the theme of the **authority and power of the Holy Spirit** is central; Peter's discernment of their lie is attributed to the Spirit, and the judgment itself is a direct consequence of "lying to the Holy Spirit" (cf. [Acts 5:3](/acts/5-3 "Acts 5:3 - Lying to the Holy Spirit")). Thirdly, the narrative underscores the **importance of truthfulness and integrity** in Christian fellowship, contrasting the genuine generosity of others like Barnabas (cf. [Acts 4:36-37](/acts/4-36-37 "Acts 4:36-37 - Barnabas's Example")) with the deceptive actions of Ananias and Sapphira.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wife (Greek, _gynḗ_):** This term refers specifically to Sapphira, emphasizing her marital relationship with Ananias and, by extension, her complicity in the shared deception. The fact that she is identified as "his wife" underscores the joint nature of their sin and the subsequent judgment, highlighting the unity of their transgression.
* **space (Greek, _diástēma_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to stand apart," this word precisely denotes an "interval" or "distance," here referring to a temporal gap. The mention of "about the space of three hours" is a crucial detail, indicating a deliberate passage of time between Ananias's death and Sapphira's arrival. This interval ensures her ignorance of the prior events, allowing Peter to test her independently and reveal the full extent of their shared deceit.
* **knowing (Greek, _eídō_):** This verb, often implying a deep, experiential understanding, is here used in the negative ("not knowing"). It signifies Sapphira's complete unawareness of her husband's fate and the divine judgment that had just occurred. Her ignorance is a key narrative element, setting the stage for Peter's direct questioning and her own opportunity to confess or perpetuate the lie.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it was about the space of three hours after":** This phrase establishes the precise temporal setting for Sapphira's entrance. The "three hours" is a significant interval, allowing for Ananias's body to be removed and buried, thereby preventing Sapphira from being forewarned or influenced by the immediate aftermath of her husband's death. This timing highlights the deliberate and orderly nature of God's judgment and Peter's subsequent actions.
* **"when his wife":** This identifies the subject of the verse as Sapphira, Ananias's wife. Her arrival is not accidental but part of the unfolding divine drama. The emphasis on "his wife" reinforces the idea that she was a partner in the deception, not an innocent bystander, setting the stage for her own accountability.
* **"not knowing what was done, came in":** This clause reveals Sapphira's state of ignorance regarding Ananias's death and the severe judgment that had just taken place. Her unawareness is crucial for the narrative, as it allows Peter to confront her without her having the benefit of prior knowledge, thereby testing her integrity and revealing whether she would confess the truth or persist in the lie independently. Her "coming in" signifies her entry into the very space where divine judgment had just been executed.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices that enhance its dramatic impact and thematic significance. **Dramatic Irony** is prominently featured, as the reader is fully aware of Ananias's death and the circumstances surrounding it, while Sapphira enters "not knowing what was done." This creates tension and anticipation, as the audience awaits her inevitable confrontation and the revelation of her complicity. The specific mention of "about the space of three hours" functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, signaling that a new, equally significant, and potentially tragic event is about to unfold. This precise temporal detail also adds to the **Realism** of the narrative, grounding the supernatural event in a believable timeframe. Furthermore, the entire scene serves as a **Paradigm** or an object lesson, demonstrating the severe consequences of hypocrisy and deceit within the nascent church, establishing a standard for integrity for all future believers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:7, within the broader account of Ananias and Sapphira, serves as a powerful theological statement about God's holiness and the serious nature of sin, particularly deceit against the Holy Spirit within the community of faith. It underscores that the early church was not merely a social club but a divine institution where God's presence was real and His standards of purity were absolute. The "three hours" interval highlights divine patience, yet also the inevitability and precision of judgment when that patience is spurned. This event established a foundational principle: that the integrity of the church is paramount, and God will act decisively to preserve its purity and witness, especially in its formative stages. It teaches that our actions, even those hidden from human eyes, are known to God, and hypocrisy has grave spiritual consequences.

* [Numbers 14:18](/numbers/14-18 "Numbers 14:18 - God's Justice and Mercy")
* [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7-12 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Open to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:7, though a brief verse, carries profound implications for contemporary believers. Sapphira's entrance in ignorance serves as a stark reminder that while we may hide our true intentions or actions from others, we cannot hide them from God. This narrative challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith and our commitment to truthfulness in all areas of life, especially within the Christian community. Are we living with integrity, or are there hidden areas of deceit or hypocrisy that we are unwilling to expose to God's light? The swift judgment on Ananias and Sapphira, while unique in its outward manifestation, underscores the enduring principle that God takes sin seriously, particularly when it compromises the purity and witness of His church. We are called to live in transparency, confessing our sins and striving for a genuine walk with Christ, recognizing that our actions have spiritual consequences and that the Holy Spirit is not to be trifled with. This verse compels us to cultivate a reverent fear of the Lord and a deep commitment to honesty, knowing that true spiritual flourishing is built upon a foundation of truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to present a false image or withhold truth, even subtly?**
* **How does the swiftness of God's judgment in this account challenge my understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater transparency and integrity in my relationships, particularly within my faith community?**
* **How does the knowledge that the Holy Spirit "knows what is done" influence my daily choices and my walk with God?**

### FAQ

**Why is the "three hours" detail significant in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of "about the space of three hours" is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it provides a realistic temporal gap, allowing sufficient time for Ananias's body to be carried out and buried following his immediate death (cf. [Acts 5:5-6](/acts/5-5-6 "Acts 5:5-6 - Ananias's Death and Burial")). This ensures that Sapphira arrived completely unaware of the dramatic events that had just transpired, preventing her from being forewarned or influenced by the immediate aftermath of her husband's judgment. Secondly, this interval highlights the deliberate and orderly nature of God's divine judgment and Peter's subsequent questioning. It sets the stage for Sapphira to be tested independently, revealing the shared nature of their conspiracy and providing her with a fresh opportunity to confess the truth, which she ultimately failed to do (cf. [Acts 5:8-9](/acts/5-8-9 "Acts 5:8-9 - Peter's Questioning of Sapphira")). The specific timing underscores the precision of God's justice and the unfolding drama within the early church.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Acts 5:7 describes a moment of severe divine judgment in the early church, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies in how it underscores the holiness of God and the gravity of sin, which ultimately points to the absolute necessity of Christ's atoning work. The immediate and public consequences for Ananias and Sapphira reveal a God who is utterly pure and cannot tolerate deceit, particularly within His covenant community. This deep-seated holiness, evident in the Old Testament (e.g., [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")), finds its ultimate expression and resolution in Jesus Christ. Humanity's inability to meet God's perfect standard, vividly illustrated by Ananias and Sapphira's failure, necessitates a perfect sacrifice. Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, entered the world to bear the full weight of sin and God's righteous wrath on the cross (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ provides the only means by which sinful humanity can be reconciled to a holy God, offering forgiveness, cleansing, and the imputation of His righteousness (cf. [Romans 3:23-26](/romans/3-23-26 "Romans 3:23-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, the judgment in Acts 5:7, while sobering, ultimately magnifies the grace of God revealed in Christ, who perfectly satisfied the demands of divine justice, making it possible for believers to stand pure and blameless before Him, not by their own merit, but by faith in His finished work (cf. [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")). The Spirit, against whom Ananias and Sapphira lied, is the same Spirit who indwells believers, empowering them to live in truth and holiness, reflecting the very character of Christ (cf. [John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")).

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.