Acts 5:7

Acts 5:7 KJV continues the dramatic account of Ananias and Sapphira within the early Christian community, focusing on Sapphira's entrance into the unfolding tragedy. This verse marks a pivotal moment, setting the stage for her own confrontation and revealing a crucial aspect of the narrative: her unawareness of the severe judgment that had just befallen her husband.

Context of Acts 5:7

This verse immediately follows the death of Ananias, who had conspired with his wife, Sapphira, to deceive the apostles and the Holy Spirit by withholding part of the proceeds from a land sale while claiming to have given the full amount. In Acts 5:3-4, Peter confronted Ananias, exposing his lie and emphasizing that he had lied to God, not just to men. Ananias then fell down and died (Acts 5:5), and young men carried him out for burial. Acts 5:7 highlights the passage of "about the space of three hours" before Sapphira arrived, completely ignorant of the divine judgment and her husband's demise. This timing adds to the solemnity and immediacy of God's action in the nascent church.

Key Themes and Messages

• Unawareness and Ignorance: Sapphira's entrance, "not knowing what was done," underscores her complicity in the deception while also setting her up for a similar test of honesty. It highlights the swiftness of divine judgment and the immediate consequences of sin within the early church.
• Divine Timing: The specific mention of "three hours" is not arbitrary. It provides a temporal gap, allowing Ananias's burial to occur before Sapphira's arrival, preventing her from being forewarned or influenced by the immediate aftermath of her husband's death. This timing emphasizes the deliberateness of God's actions and Peter's subsequent questioning.
• Seriousness of Deceit: The entire narrative of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a stark warning against hypocrisy and deceit, particularly when it involves lying to God or the community of believers. This event established a precedent for purity and honesty within the early Christian fellowship, demonstrating God's zero tolerance for such actions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "about the space of three hours after" (Greek: hōs hōrōn triōn diastēmatos) precisely indicates the elapsed time. This detail is significant as it shows that Sapphira was not present during her husband's judgment and burial, making her subsequent conversation with Peter a fresh opportunity for her to be truthful. Her ignorance is a key element that allows Peter to test her honesty independently, revealing the shared nature of their sin.

Practical Application

Acts 5:7, in the broader context of the Ananias and Sapphira account, offers timeless lessons for believers today:

1. The Importance of Honesty: This passage powerfully reminds us that God values truthfulness and integrity, especially within the church community. Deceit, even if seemingly minor, has serious spiritual implications.
2. Accountability for Sin: While God's judgment today may not be as immediate or outwardly dramatic as in this unique instance, the principle remains: sin has consequences. We are called to live in transparency before God and one another, confessing our sins (1 John 1:9) and striving for purity.
3. Respect for the Holy Spirit: The core offense of Ananias and Sapphira was lying to the Holy Spirit. This highlights the divine nature of the Spirit and the reverence due to Him. Our actions, thoughts, and words are known to God, and we should live in awareness of His presence and holiness.

This verse serves as a sober reminder of God's holiness and the serious nature of hypocrisy in the early church, setting a standard for integrity for all generations of believers.