Acts 5:8

KJV

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Peter {G4074} answered {G611} unto her {G846}, Tell {G2036} me {G3427} whether {G1487} ye sold {G591} the land {G5564} for so much {G5118}? And {G1161} she said {G2036}, Yea {G3483}, for so much {G5118}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Kefa challenged her: “Tell me, is it true that you sold the land for such-and-such a price?” “Yes,” she answered, “that is what we were paid for it.”

Berean Standard Bible

“Tell me,” said Peter, “is this the price you and your husband got for the land?” “Yes,” she answered, “that is the price.”

American Standard Version

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so much.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:8 captures the climactic moment of Sapphira's confrontation with Peter, just hours after her husband Ananias's death for deceit. Peter's direct question, "Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?", offers Sapphira a final, clear opportunity to confess the truth about their fraudulent transaction. Her subsequent affirmation, "Yea, for so much," seals her fate, revealing a shared complicity in lying to the Holy Spirit and underscoring the early church's profound commitment to purity, truth, and the severe consequences of hypocrisy within the nascent community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 5:8 is the pivotal point in the tragic narrative of Ananias and Sapphira, which begins in [Acts 5:1](/acts/5-1 "Acts 5:1 - Ananias and Sapphira's Deception"). The preceding verses detail Ananias's deception regarding the sale of a property, his confrontation by Peter, and his immediate death upon lying to the Holy Spirit. Peter's question to Sapphira in [Acts 5:8](/acts/5-8 "Acts 5:8 - Peter Questions Sapphira") occurs three hours after Ananias's demise, with Sapphira entering unaware of her husband's fate. This moment serves as a direct parallel and a final test, setting up the swift and equally severe judgment that follows in [Acts 5:9-10](/acts/5-9-10 "Acts 5:9-10 - Sapphira's Judgment"). The entire episode is framed by the early church's communal living practices described in [Acts 4:32-37](/acts/4-32-37 "Acts 4:32-37 - Early Church Community and Generosity"), highlighting the stark contrast between genuine generosity and deceitful performance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian community, as depicted in Acts, was characterized by radical generosity and a profound sense of unity, often involving the voluntary sharing of possessions, as seen in [Acts 2:44-45](/acts/2-44-45 "Acts 2:44-45 - The Early Christian Community"). While not mandatory, selling property and donating proceeds to the apostles for distribution to the needy was a significant act of devotion. In this context, Ananias and Sapphira's sin was not merely withholding money, but rather the pretense of full devotion while secretly retaining a portion. This act of deception was particularly egregious within a community founded on truth and the indwelling Holy Spirit, echoing Old Testament covenant violations that brought severe consequences, such as Achan's sin in [Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin and Judgment"). The public nature of their judgment served as a powerful deterrent, establishing the sanctity and integrity required within the new covenant community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **holiness and sovereignty of the Holy Spirit**, emphasizing that lying to the community leaders was tantamount to lying directly to God, as Peter clarifies in [Acts 5:3-4](/acts/5-3-4 "Acts 5:3-4 - Peter's Confrontation with Ananias"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **divine judgment against hypocrisy and deceit** within the church, demonstrating God's zero tolerance for spiritual corruption at its foundational stage. Thirdly, the narrative showcases **apostolic authority and discernment**, as Peter, empowered by the Spirit, possesses supernatural knowledge of their deception, reinforcing the apostles' role as God's chosen instruments for guiding the nascent church, a theme consistently seen throughout [the book of Acts](/acts/1 "The Book of Acts"). Finally, it emphasizes the **importance of integrity and truthfulness** as core virtues for believers, setting a precedent for the ethical standards expected within the body of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Greek, _apokrínomai'_):** This word, G611, means "to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)." In this context, Peter's "answer" is not a reply to a question from Sapphira, but rather a solemn, authoritative declaration and interrogation, initiating a critical exchange. It signifies a decisive, Spirit-led move to bring the hidden truth to light.
* **sold (Greek, _apodídōmi'_):** G591, meaning "to give away, i.e. up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)... sell, yield." This term precisely describes the act of selling the land, which was the basis of their deception. Peter's use of this word directly references the transaction they had claimed to have fully given to the church, making his question a direct challenge to their honesty regarding the *entire* proceeds.
* **Yea (Greek, _naí'_):** G3483, a "primary particle of strong affirmation; yes:--even so, surely, truth, verily, yea, yes." Sapphira's single-word response "Yea" is a definitive and emphatic affirmation. It is not a hesitant or ambiguous reply but a strong, deliberate confirmation of the lie, demonstrating her full complicity and conscious choice to deceive, even when presented with a clear opportunity to repent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Peter answered unto her,"**: This phrase introduces Peter's direct engagement with Sapphira. The "answered" (G611, _apokrínomai_) here implies a solemn, authoritative response to the unfolding situation, rather than a reply to a question from Sapphira. It signifies Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, taking the initiative to confront the hidden sin.
* **"Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?"**: This is Peter's penetrating question, designed to elicit the truth. The phrase "Tell me" (G2036, _épō_) is a command, demanding a direct answer. "Whether" (G1487, _ei_) introduces a conditional clause, presenting Sapphira with a clear choice: affirm the truth or perpetuate the lie. The crucial element is "for so much" (G5118, _tosoûtos_), which implies a specific, known amount—the amount they had claimed to have given. Peter is not asking *what* the amount was, but *if* the amount they had declared was the *entire* sum.
* **"And she said, Yea, for so much."**: Sapphira's response is concise and damning. Her "Yea" (G3483, _naí_) is a strong affirmation, indicating a conscious and deliberate choice to confirm the lie. The repetition of "for so much" (G5118, _tosoûtos_) mirrors Peter's question, confirming that she understood the precise nature of his inquiry and chose to double down on the deception, sealing her fate.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Dramatic Irony** is central, as Sapphira enters unaware of her husband's death and the reason for it, while the reader (and Peter) knows the full truth, making her confident lie all the more tragic. Peter's question is a direct **Interrogation**, a precise and pointed inquiry that leaves no room for ambiguity, forcing Sapphira to make an explicit choice. The **Repetition** of the phrase "for so much" (G5118, _tosoûtos_) in both Peter's question and Sapphira's answer highlights the specific point of contention—the exact amount declared versus the actual sale price—and underscores the deliberate nature of her deception. This repetition also builds narrative tension, leading directly to the inevitable judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:8 serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and the gravity with which He views integrity within His covenant community. The immediate and severe judgment on Ananias and Sapphira, initiated by Peter's Spirit-led confrontation, underscores that the early church was not merely a social club but a divine institution where truth and purity were paramount. This event established a terrifying precedent, instilling a healthy fear and reverence for God among believers and outsiders alike, ensuring the church's foundation was built on genuine faith rather than outward show. It teaches that deception, especially concerning spiritual matters or contributions to God's work, is not merely a human failing but an offense against the Holy Spirit Himself.

* [Numbers 14:37](/numbers/14-37 "Numbers 14:37 - The Fate of the Disloyal Spies")
* [Joshua 7:19-21](/joshua/7-19-21 "Joshua 7:19-21 - Achan's Confession of Sin")
* [Psalm 101:7](/psalms/101-7 "Psalm 101:7 - A Psalm of David on Integrity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:8 challenges believers to examine the depth of their sincerity and transparency before God and the community. In an age where outward appearances often overshadow inner reality, this passage calls us to radical integrity. It reminds us that God sees beyond our public declarations and our visible contributions, penetrating to the motives of our hearts. Are we truly living lives of truth, or are we, like Ananias and Sapphira, holding back portions of ourselves—our full devotion, our honest intentions, our complete surrender—while presenting a facade of piety? This narrative urges us to cultivate a profound reverence for God's holiness and to understand that our relationship with Him demands unvarnished honesty. While divine judgment may not manifest in the same immediate, physical way today, the spiritual consequences of deception and hypocrisy remain severe, hindering our fellowship with God and undermining the integrity of the church. This passage serves as a powerful call to live authentically, recognizing that our lies are ultimately against the Holy Spirit who indwells us and empowers the church.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to present a false front, either to God or to others in the Christian community?**
* **How does the story of Ananias and Sapphira impact my understanding of God's holiness and His view of sin within the church?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate greater transparency and integrity in my walk with Christ?**
* **How does the fear of the Lord, as demonstrated in this passage, contribute to spiritual growth and purity in a believer's life?**

### FAQ
**Why was the punishment for Ananias and Sapphira so severe?**

Answer: The severity of the judgment on Ananias and Sapphira in [Acts 5](/acts/5 "Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira") is often understood in the context of the early church's foundational period. Their sin was not merely withholding money, but "lying to the Holy Spirit" ([Acts 5:3](/acts/5-3 "Acts 5:3 - Peter Accuses Ananias")) and "testing the Spirit of the Lord" ([Acts 5:9](/acts/5-9 "Acts 5:9 - Peter Accuses Sapphira")). This act of deliberate deceit and hypocrisy, aimed at gaining prestige while defrauding God, posed a grave threat to the nascent church's spiritual health and witness. The immediate and public judgment served as a powerful deterrent, instilling a healthy fear of God and establishing a clear precedent for the holiness required within the body of Christ, ensuring that the church's foundation was built on truth and sincerity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Acts 5:8 and the subsequent judgment highlight God's righteous wrath against sin and hypocrisy, the ultimate fulfillment of God's response to human deceit is found in Jesus Christ. The immediate and physical judgment on Ananias and Sapphira serves as a stark Old Testament-like warning, demonstrating God's intolerance for sin within His holy community. However, in the New Covenant, God's justice is perfectly met in the person of Jesus. He is the one who, though perfectly truthful and without sin, bore the full weight of humanity's deception and sin on the cross, becoming the ultimate sacrifice for our lies and hypocrisy ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Through His atoning work, the severity of God's judgment, which Sapphira experienced, is now satisfied for those who believe. Rather than immediate death for our lies, we are offered forgiveness and the indwelling Holy Spirit, who convicts us of sin and guides us into all truth ([John 16:8](/john/16-8 "John 16:8 - The Holy Spirit's Conviction") and [John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")). Thus, while Acts 5:8 shows the consequence of rejecting truth in the Spirit's presence, Christ offers the path to genuine truthfulness and reconciliation, transforming hearts from deceit to integrity through His grace ([Ephesians 4:25](/ephesians/4-25 "Ephesians 4:25 - Putting Away Falsehood")).

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

Acts 5:2

And kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy [to it], and brought a certain part, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.