Acts 5

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property, 2 and took for himself in secret part of the price, his wife knowing it too; and bringing a certain portion he laid it at the feet of the apostles. [a]

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart, to lie to the Holy Spirit and to take for yourself in secret part of the price of the field? [b] 4 While it stayed unsold, did it not stay yours? And when it was sold, was it not in your own authority? Why is it that you put this deed in your heart? You did not lie to men but to God.” 5 And as Ananias heard these words he fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came on all who heard. [c]

6 And the younger men got up and wrapped him, and carried him out and buried him. [d] 7 And it happened, after an interval of about three hours, that his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me, did you sell the field for so much?” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”

9 But Peter to her: “Why is it that it was agreed between you to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” [e] 10 And at once she fell at his feet and breathed her last; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came on the whole gathering and on all who heard these things. [f]

12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were happening among the people. And they were all with one mind in Solomon’s Colonnade; 13 but of the rest no one dared to join them, though the people were making much of them, 14 and all the more, trusting in the Lord, multitudes of both men and women were being added —

15 so that they even carried the sick out into the streets and put them on little beds and mats, so that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. [g] 16 And the multitude from the towns around Jerusalem was coming together as well, bringing sick people and those troubled by unclean spirits; and they were all being healed.

17 But the chief priest rose up, and all those with him — that is, the sect of the Sadducees — and they were filled with jealousy, [h] 18 and they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public custody. 19 But a messenger of the Lord opened the doors of the prison during the night, and leading them out he said, 20 “Go and stand and speak to the people in the temple all the words of this life.”

21 And when they heard it they went into the temple at daybreak and were teaching. But the chief priest came, and those with him, and called together the council and the whole senate of the sons of Israel, and sent to the jail to have them brought. [i] 22 But when the attendants came they did not find them in the prison, and they turned back and reported, 23 saying, “We found the jail shut in all security and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened it, inside we found no one.”

24 And when they heard these words, both the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss about them, as to what this might come to. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “Look, the men whom you put in the prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain went off with the attendants and brought them — not with force, for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned.

27 And bringing them, they stood them in the council. And the chief priest questioned them, 28 saying, “With a charge we charged you not to teach on this name, and look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” [j] 29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “It is necessary to obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. [k] 31 This one God exalted to his right hand as Originator and one who rescues, to give a change of mind to Israel and forgiveness of sins. [l] 32 And we are witnesses of these words, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God gave to those who obey him.” 33 But when they heard it they were cut through, and were intending to kill them. [m]

34 But a certain Pharisee in the council stood up, named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law honored by all the people, and ordered the men to be put outside for a short while, 35 and he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you intend to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, saying that he himself was somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who were persuaded by him were broken up and came to nothing. † 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the registration and drew people away after him; and he perished, and all who were persuaded by him were scattered. [n]

38 And now I say to you: stand back from these men and let them alone — because if this plan or this work is from men, it will be brought down, 39 but if it is from God, you will not be able to bring them down — or you may even be found fighting God.” And they were persuaded by him, 40 and calling in the apostles they flogged them and charged them not to speak on the name of Jesus, and released them. [o]

41 So they went out from the presence of the council rejoicing, because they had been counted worthy to be dishonored for the name; 42 and every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and bringing the good news that the Christ is Jesus. [p]