Acts 5:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} Peter {G4074} said {G2036} unto {G4314} her {G846}, How {G5101} is it that {G3754} ye {G5213} have agreed together {G4856} to tempt {G3985} the Spirit {G4151} of the Lord {G2962}? behold {G2400}, the feet {G4228} of them which have buried {G2290} thy {G4675} husband {G435} are at {G1909} the door {G2374}, and {G2532} shall carry {G1627} thee {G4571} out {G1627}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Kefa came back at her, “Then why did you people plot to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The men who buried your husband are at the door. They will carry you out too!”

Berean Standard Bible

“How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter replied. “Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

American Standard Version

But Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:9 captures Peter's direct confrontation with Sapphira, her husband Ananias having just died for deceiving the Holy Spirit regarding their property sale. Peter exposes her complicity in the lie, revealing that she and Ananias had conspired to "tempt the Spirit of the Lord" by withholding part of the proceeds while claiming to give the full amount. This verse dramatically foreshadows Sapphira's immediate judgment, emphasizing the profound seriousness of their deception against God and the nascent Christian community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the narrative concerning Ananias and Sapphira, immediately following Ananias's sudden death in [Acts 5:1-8](/acts/5-1-8 "Acts 5:1-8 - The Deception and Death of Ananias"). Sapphira enters the scene approximately three hours later, unaware of her husband's fate. Peter gives her an explicit opportunity to confess the truth, mirroring the earlier confrontation with Ananias. Her lie in [Acts 5:8](/acts/5-8 "Acts 5:8 - Sapphira's Deception") directly precedes Peter's pronouncement in [Acts 5:9](/acts/5-9 "Acts 5:9 - Peter Confronts Sapphira"), leading to her identical judgment. The entire episode serves as a stark contrast to the genuine generosity and unity described in [Acts 4:32-37](/acts/4-32-37 "Acts 4:32-37 - The Generosity of the Early Church"), highlighting the early church's commitment to purity and truth. The immediate aftermath is described as "great fear came upon all the church, and upon all that heard these things" in [Acts 5:11](/acts/5-11 "Acts 5:11 - Fear in the Early Church").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian community in Jerusalem was characterized by a radical commitment to communal living and sharing, where believers voluntarily sold possessions and distributed the proceeds according to need, as seen in [Acts 2:44-45](/acts/2-44-45 "Acts 2:44-45 - Early Christian Community") and [Acts 4:34-35](/acts/4-34-35 "Acts 4:34-35 - Sharing Possessions"). This practice was entirely voluntary; the sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not in withholding part of the money, but in *lying* about it, pretending to give everything while secretly keeping some back. This deception was a profound betrayal of trust within a community built on truth and transparency, and a direct affront to the Holy Spirit, who was powerfully at work among them. Jewish burial customs typically involved swift burial, often on the same day as death, which explains the quick dispatch of Ananias's body and the immediate arrival of the young men to carry out Sapphira.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **Gravity of Sin Against the Holy Spirit**, emphasizing that their deception was not merely against men but against God Himself, specifically the Holy Spirit, who was actively present and unifying the early believers ([Acts 5:3-4](/acts/5-3-4 "Acts 5:3-4 - Ananias Lies to the Holy Spirit")). This act was a deliberate challenge to God's authority and omniscience, a testing of His patience and power. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Church Purity**, as the swift and fatal judgment on Ananias and Sapphira served as a stark warning to the early church, emphasizing God's holiness and His demand for integrity among His people. This event established a powerful precedent for purity and reverence within the community, ensuring that the church's foundation was built on truth and genuine commitment, not hypocrisy. Lastly, the phrase "ye have agreed together" emphasizes **Shared Culpability**, highlighting that Sapphira was a willing and active participant in the deception, not an innocent bystander or coerced party. Both husband and wife conspired to defraud the community and, more importantly, to test the patience and power of God, leading to shared severe consequences.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **agreed together (Greek, _symphōnéō'_):** From G4856, meaning "to be harmonious, i.e. (figuratively) to accord (be suitable, concur) or stipulate (by compact)." This word emphasizes the deliberate, premeditated nature of their deception. Ananias and Sapphira were not acting independently but had come to a mutual understanding and compact to carry out this lie. It highlights their shared intent and culpability in the sin.
* **tempt (Greek, _peirázō'_):** From G3985, meaning "to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline." In this context, it carries the strong connotation of putting God to the test, challenging His knowledge, power, or patience. It is a dangerous presumption, akin to daring God to act or to see if He would discern their hidden sin. This is not a passive act but an active provocation.
* **Spirit (Greek, _pneûma'_):** From G4151, meaning "a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit." Here, it specifically refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, whose active presence and power were undeniably manifest in the early church. To tempt the Spirit of the Lord is to tempt God Himself, underscoring the divine nature of the Holy Spirit and the immense gravity of their sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Peter said unto her":** This phrase sets the stage for the direct confrontation, highlighting Peter's role as the apostolic authority, guided by the Holy Spirit, in discerning and addressing the deception. His address to Sapphira is a direct challenge, offering her a final opportunity for truth.
* **"How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?":** This is the core accusation, revealing the spiritual nature and premeditated depth of their sin. Peter's question implies astonishment at their audacity. The phrase "agreed together" underscores their joint conspiracy, while "to tempt the Spirit of the Lord" identifies the true target and magnitude of their offense—not merely lying to men, but directly challenging the divine presence and power of God's Spirit.
* **"behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and shall carry thee out.":** This is a chilling prophetic pronouncement of immediate judgment. "Behold" (G2400 _idoú_) draws immediate attention to the impending reality. Peter's words are a direct, divinely inspired declaration of Sapphira's imminent death, linking her fate inextricably to that of her husband. The arrival of the young men who buried Ananias signifies the swift, inescapable, and identical consequence awaiting her, emphasizing God's unwavering justice and commitment to purity within His nascent church.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 5:9 is rich with **Dramatic Irony**, as Sapphira enters the scene completely unaware of her husband's death, while the audience knows the full truth. Peter's question gives her a chance to confess, but her continued deception seals her fate, creating a powerful sense of impending doom for the reader. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing** and **Prophecy**, as Peter's words directly predict Sapphira's death and burial, which immediately follows. The imagery of "the feet of them which have buried thy husband [are] at the door" serves as potent **Symbolism**, representing the imminence of judgment and death, a tangible sign of divine retribution. Furthermore, the narrative structure employs **Parallelism**, with Sapphira's interrogation, deception, and subsequent death mirroring that of her husband, reinforcing the shared culpability and the consistent nature of God's judgment against hypocrisy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:9 stands as a profound testament to God's holiness and the absolute seriousness with which He regards sin, particularly deception and hypocrisy within His covenant community. The immediate, fatal judgment on Ananias and Sapphira underscores that lying to the Holy Spirit is tantamount to lying to God Himself, revealing the Holy Spirit's full deity. This event served as a foundational act of purification for the early church, establishing a clear boundary against spiritual compromise and emphasizing the sacredness of the community empowered by the Spirit. It reminds believers that God sees beyond outward appearances and knows the intentions of the heart, demanding genuine integrity and truthfulness from His people.

* [Psalm 78:18](/psalms/78-18 "Psalm 78:18 - Tempting God in the Wilderness")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - God's Omniscience")
* [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies, Temples of the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark narrative of Acts 5:9 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of the importance of absolute honesty and integrity before God and within the Christian community. While immediate physical death is not the typical consequence for lying in the church today, the principle remains profoundly relevant: God takes sin seriously, especially deception and hypocrisy that undermine the truth and purity of His body. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts and motives, asking if our outward expressions of faith genuinely align with our inner intentions. It underscores that God sees beyond our outward actions and knows the true condition of our hearts, calling us to a life of transparency, genuine commitment, and reverence for the Holy Spirit who indwells believers. Our interactions within the church and our personal walk with God must be marked by truthfulness, recognizing that any attempt to deceive others or ourselves ultimately attempts to deceive the Spirit of the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the story of Ananias and Sapphira challenge my understanding of the seriousness of sin, particularly deception, in my own life and within the church?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to present a false image of my spiritual commitment or generosity to others, and how can I cultivate greater authenticity before God?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the Holy Spirit's presence and authority within the Christian community, and how should that influence my reverence and obedience?**

### FAQ
**Why was the judgment on Ananias and Sapphira so severe?**

Answer: The severity of the judgment on Ananias and Sapphira was primarily due to the foundational nature of the early church and the direct affront to the Holy Spirit. This was not merely a financial fraud, but a deliberate attempt to deceive God Himself, as Peter explicitly states in [Acts 5:3-4](/acts/5-3-4 "Acts 5:3-4 - Ananias Lies to the Holy Spirit"). In the nascent Christian community, God was establishing the standards of purity, truth, and holiness. Such a public act of hypocrisy, if left unaddressed, could have corrupted the church's integrity from its very inception, undermining the genuine Spirit-empowered unity and generosity described in [Acts 4:32-37](/acts/4-32-37 "Acts 4:32-37 - The Generosity of the Early Church"). The judgment served as a powerful, immediate warning to all believers about the sacredness of the Holy Spirit and the absolute necessity of integrity within the body of Christ, instilling a "great fear" ([Acts 5:11](/acts/5-11 "Acts 5:11 - Fear in the Early Church")) that fostered reverence and purity.

**Does God still strike people dead for lying today?**

Answer: While the immediate physical death of Ananias and Sapphira was a unique and dramatic event for the establishment of the early church, it does not represent the typical way God deals with sin in the New Covenant era. God's character as holy and just, who hates sin, remains unchanged ([Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God Does Not Change")). However, under the New Covenant, the emphasis shifts from immediate physical judgment to spiritual consequences, the call to repentance, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Though physical death for lying is not common, deception and hypocrisy still grieve the Holy Spirit ([Ephesians 4:30](/ephesians/4-30 "Ephesians 4:30 - Grieving the Holy Spirit")) and can lead to spiritual deadness, broken fellowship, and a loss of God's blessing. The principle remains: God takes sin, especially against His Spirit and His church, with utmost seriousness, and believers are called to live in truth and integrity, recognizing that "God is not mocked" ([Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - God Is Not Mocked")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 5:9, with its stark portrayal of judgment for sin against the Holy Spirit, ultimately points to the profound necessity and efficacy of Christ's work. The very problem of human deception and the inability to perfectly uphold God's holy standards, so vividly illustrated by Ananias and Sapphira, finds its ultimate solution in Jesus Christ. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering a perfect sacrifice that atones for all unrighteousness, including deceit and hypocrisy. Through His death and resurrection, Christ established a new covenant, providing forgiveness and the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live lives of truth and integrity, a righteousness not achievable by human effort alone ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). The Holy Spirit, whom Ananias and Sapphira tempted, is the very Spirit of truth whom Christ promised to send to guide His followers into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")). Thus, while Acts 5:9 highlights God's unwavering holiness and judgment against sin, it simultaneously magnifies the grace of Christ, who enables a new creation to live in genuine holiness and truth, empowered by the Spirit, reflecting the character of Him who is the Way, the [Truth, and the Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life").

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

1 Corinthians 10:9

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

Acts 5:3

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?

Acts 5:4

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Psalms 95:8

Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, [and] as [in] the day of temptation in the wilderness:

Psalms 95:11

Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

Psalms 78:56

Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:

Psalms 78:40

¶ How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, [and] grieve him in the desert!