1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira {Sapphira: his wife’s name} his wife, sold a possession {ktema: property or asset}.
2 And he kept back {enosphisato: secretly reserved} for himself from the price, with the knowledge also of his wife, and having brought a certain part, he placed it at the feet of the apostles {apostolon: sent representatives}.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Divine Witness} and to keep back from the price of the land {choriou: property asset}?”
4 While it remained, was it not yours? And when it was sold, was it not under your authority {exousia: lawful control}? Why is it that you put this deed in your heart? You did not lie to men but to God {Theos, All-Knowing Judge}.
5 But as Ananias {Hananias: early believer} was hearing these words, having fallen down, he expired, and great fear {phobos: awe-filled dread} came upon all who were hearing.
6 But the younger men {neoteroi: junior attendants} arose, wrapped him up {synesteilan: tightly bound}, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 And it happened that about a three-hour interval {diastema: measured span} later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened {gegonos: completed event}.
8 But Peter {Petros: apostolic witness} answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the field {chorion: sale property} for this much.” And she said, “Yes, for this much.”
9 But Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord {Kyrios, Righteous Judge}? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband {aner: covenant partner} are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10 But she fell immediately {parachrema: without delay} at his feet and breathed her last; and when the young men entered, they found her dead, and carrying her out, they buried her beside her husband {aner: male covenant partner}.
11 And great fear {phobos: overwhelming awe} came upon the whole church {ekklesia: called-out assembly}, and upon all who were hearing these things.
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were happening among the people; and they were all with one accord {homothymadon: united in purpose} in Solomon’s Portico {stoa: colonnaded walkway}.
13 Yet none of the rest {loipon: remaining outsiders} dared to join them, but the people held them in high regard {megalynen: regarded with honor}.
14 But more believers were being added to the Lord {Kyrios, Focus of Faith}—multitudes of both men {andron: adult males} and women.
15 So that they also were bringing the sick out into the streets and placing them on cots and pallets, in order that as Peter {Petros: rock-like apostle} was coming by, at least his shadow might overshadow some of them {astheneis: physically weak}.
16 And the multitude {plethos: large crowd} from the cities around Jerusalem was also gathering, bringing those who were sick and those troubled by unclean spirits {pneumaton akatharton: evil spiritual beings}, and they were all healed.
17 But the high priest {archiereus: chief religious leader} arose, and all those with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy {zelos: zealous envy}.
18 And they laid {epebalon: aggressive act} hands on the apostles and put them in public custody {teresis: official detention}.
19 But during the night an angel of the Lord {Kyrios, Sovereign Deliverer} opened the doors of the prison {phylake: secured holding place}, and after bringing them out, he said,
20 Go and stand {stathentes: firmly positioned} in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life {zoes: spiritual vitality}.
21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple {hieron: sacred precinct} at daybreak and began teaching {edidaskon: ongoing instruction}.
22 But when the officers {hypēretai: temple guards} arrived and did not find them in the prison {phylake: secure holding place}, they returned and reported.
23 Saying, “We found the prison {desmoterion: place of binding} locked in complete security {asphaleia: strict protection}, and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
24 Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words {logous: reported message}, they were greatly perplexed {dieporoun: deeply confused} about them as to what this might become.
25 But someone, having come, reported to them, “Behold, the men whom you put in the prison {phylake: holding cell} are standing {hestotes: fixed position} in the temple and teaching the people.”
26 Then the captain {strategos: temple commander} went with the officers and brought them, but not with force, for they were afraid of the people, lest they might be stoned {lithazo: killed with stones}.
27 And after they had brought them, they set them before the council {synedrion: Jewish highest court}, and the high priest {archiereus: chief religious leader} questioned them.
28 Saying, “With a command we strictly commanded you not to teach in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem {Ierousalem: central city of Judaism} with your teaching {didache: authoritative instruction}, and you intend to bring upon us the blood of this man.”
29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “It is necessary to obey God {Theos, Ultimate Authority} rather than people {anthropois: human rulers}.”
30 The God {Theos, Ancestral Covenant Keeper} of our fathers raised up Jesus {Iesous, Vindicated Messiah}, whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree.
31 This One God {Theos, Sovereign Exalter} exalted as Leader {archegos: pioneering ruler} and Savior at His right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Testifying Presence}, whom God {Theos, Gracious Giver} has given to those who obey Him.
33 But when they heard this, they were cut to the heart {dieprionto: deeply wounded}, and they were intending {eboulonto: deliberate decision} to kill them.
34 But a certain Pharisee in the council, named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law {nomodidaskalos: Torah scholar}, honored by all the people, stood up and commanded to put the men outside for a little while {brachy: brief period}.
35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, pay attention {prosechete: stay alert} to yourselves {heautois: guard your group} regarding what you are about to do to these men.”
36 For before these days, Theudas arose, claiming himself to be someone {Theudas: self-promoting leader}, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. He was killed, and all who were obeying him {epeithonto: ongoing allegiance} were dispersed and came to nothing.
37 After this, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census {apographe: imperial registration} and led the people after him. He also perished, and all who were persuaded by him were scattered {dieskorpisthesan: driven in all directions}.
38 And now I say to you, withdraw {apostete: deliberately step back} from these men and let them go; for if this plan or this work is from men, it will be overthrown {katalythesetai: brought to nothing}.
39 But if it is from God {Theos, Unstoppable Origin}, you will not be able to overthrow {katalysai: bring down} them, lest you even be found to be God-opposers. And they were persuaded by him.
40 And after calling the apostles, and having beaten them, they commanded them not to speak {lalein: public testimony} in the name of Jesus {Iesous, Proclaimed Messiah}, and then they released them.
41 So then they went out from the presence of the council {synedrion: highest Jewish court}, rejoicing because they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the Name {onoma: person and honor of Jesus}.
42 And every day {pasan: continual pattern}, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that the Christ is Jesus {Iesous Christos, Proclaimed Messiah}.