1Now a certain man named Ananias, along with his wife Sapphira, [also] sold a possession. 2He kept back part of the price (of which his wife was also aware) and brought the rest, laying it at the apostles’ feet. 3But Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart so as to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4As long as you kept it, was it not still your own? And after it was sold, was it not [still] in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”
5Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell to the ground and died.1336 Great fear came on all who heard these things. 6The young men got up, wrapped him, and carried him out to be buried. 7About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. 8Peter asked her, “Tell me, was this the price you sold the land for?”
She answered, “Yes, for that price.”
9Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have conspired1337 to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!”
10At once, she fell down at Peter’s feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead; they carried her out and buried her next to her husband. 11Great fear came on the whole1338 Church and on all who heard these things.
Apostolic signs and wonders
12Even more, many signs and wonders were accomplished among the people by the hands of the apostles, and they were all [gathered] with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13No one else dared to join them, even though they were honored1339 by the people. 14More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. 15People even carried out the sick into the streets, placing them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16Crowds also formed from the cities around Jerusalem; they brought sick people, as well as those tormented by unclean spirits, and all were healed.
The apostles arrested—Before the Sanhedrin
17However, the high priest took action, along with all his associates (which is the sect of the Sadducees). Filled with jealousy, 18they laid their hands on the apostles and placed them in the public jail. 19But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night and brought them out, saying, 20”Go, stand in the temple, and speak to the people the whole message about this life.”
21When the apostles1340 heard this, they went to the temple at about daybreak, and they began to teach. Meanwhile, the high priest arrived, together with his associates, and called the Sanhedrin together, along with the council of the children of Israel. He then sent [word] to the prison to have the apostles brought in. 22But the officers who came did not find them in the prison. They came back and reported, 23”Truly, we found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”
24Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them, wondering what would come of this. 25One [officer] came forward and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are [now] in the temple, standing and teaching the people.” 26Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without using force because they were afraid that the people might stone them.
27Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin. The high priest questioned them, 28saying, “Did we not strictly order you not to teach in this Name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us!”
29But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men! 30The God of our fathers1341 raised up Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.1342 31God has exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior in order to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins. 32We are his1343 witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”
33Hearing this, they were enraged and plotted to kill them. 34But someone stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people. He instructed that the apostles1344 be put out for a while. 35He said to them, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago, Theudas arose, claiming to be someone. A number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves to him. He was [eventually] killed, all those who obeyed him were scattered, and it all came to nothing. 37After this man, Judas of Galilee arose during the days of the census, and he led many people to follow him. He also perished, and all those who obeyed him were scattered abroad. 38Now I tell you: stay away from these men and leave them alone. If this plan or work is of human origin, it will be overthrown. 39But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it, and you would find yourselves fighting against God!”
40They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they had them flogged and ordered them not to speak in the Name of Jesus. Then they released them. 41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of his1345 Name.
42Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching that Jesus is the Christ.
The apostles appoint seven assistants—About Stephen (Stephanos)
- Or “expired”/”breathed his last,” here and in verse 10
- Or “agreed together”
- Greek o[lhn th.n evkklhsi,an (holon) related to the word ‘catholic’ (kat-holon)—see Appendix B.
- Or “held in high esteem”
- Greek “they”
- Or “ancestors”
- Greek xu,lou which can also mean “wood/stake/stocks/cross”—a reference to Deuteronomy 21:23 LXX also cited in Galatians 3:13
- CT lacks “his”
- CT reads “they” instead of “apostles”
- Or “the Name”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
