| Commentary and Philosophy Non-Fiction posted July 7, 2024 | Chapters: |
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Bible Commentary
A chapter in the book Reflection of Acts
Acts 5
by Erika Whittle
The author has placed a warning on this post for violence.
I understand that the story of Ananias and Sapphira seems pretty harsh- I mean, they gave a bunch of money to the church and then God killed them because they lied about the amount. There's some things we need to consider here. They weren't just walking into a regular Sunday morning service. The church at this time is so filled with the holy spirit, with the presence of God, it's akin to a holy sanctuary. It's really hard to understand from a modern mindset, but there were actually a lot of rules when it came to entering the sanctuary of God. There's a whole list in Leviticus of insane rules that make no sense in my mind but are apparently important to God. The point is, they willingly entered a holy place and lied in God's presence. It wasn't their gift that was wrong but their hearts. Peter even said, the property belonged to him and his wife. There was no need to lie about the amount given. There was nothing wrong with keeping part of the profit for themselves. But to lie about, not just to others but in the presence of God, that was what they did wrong. God doesn't take kindly to lying and they paid the price with their lives. Since we live in a democracy, it's hard to really grasp the severity. It's the same as lying to a king, which would definitely get you beheaded back in that day. And the result was the fear of the Lord. Fear can also be related to respect. It's about respecting God's boundaries.
The Lord's anointing was so strong, people would bring their sick in hopes that Peter's shadow might touch them. This is quite similar to the woman that touched Jesus' robe and was healed of her bleeding. It takes the presence of God, plus faith, for a miracle.
The Sadducees, religious leaders of the time, were jealous of the apostles. They, for good reason, were popular among the people and were teaching and healing in Jesus name. Once again they were arrested, but God had different plans. An angel let them out of jail and told them to go to the temple courts and continue preaching the gospel. Obviously, this confused the ones who ordered their arrest. Having not learned their lesson, the religious leaders had them brought to the Sanhedrin (like the supreme court) to be questioned by the high priest. They couldn't forcefully take them because they were afraid of public opinion. Basically, they were greedy cowards who were butt-hurt from having their toes stepped on. And the thing they were most upset about was not the actual teaching but that they didn't want to take the blame for killing Jesus. Peter of course doubled down and basically accused them of killing the messiah. The leaders were furious and wanted to kill them, probably because their pride hurt. However, there was a teacher who was actually just among them (Gamaliel), and he gave examples of uprising that failed because they weren't of God. Then he convinced them to let the apostles go, because if they were with God they would succeed and if they were against God they would fail. Smart man. Unfortunately, the apostles still got whipped before they were let go. I'm glad courts can't do that anymore. The disciples were actually happy to suffer in the name of Jesus and they continued on with their preaching. It might sound a little sacrilegious, but I kind of wonder if they maybe had some survivors guilt.
The Lord's anointing was so strong, people would bring their sick in hopes that Peter's shadow might touch them. This is quite similar to the woman that touched Jesus' robe and was healed of her bleeding. It takes the presence of God, plus faith, for a miracle.
The Sadducees, religious leaders of the time, were jealous of the apostles. They, for good reason, were popular among the people and were teaching and healing in Jesus name. Once again they were arrested, but God had different plans. An angel let them out of jail and told them to go to the temple courts and continue preaching the gospel. Obviously, this confused the ones who ordered their arrest. Having not learned their lesson, the religious leaders had them brought to the Sanhedrin (like the supreme court) to be questioned by the high priest. They couldn't forcefully take them because they were afraid of public opinion. Basically, they were greedy cowards who were butt-hurt from having their toes stepped on. And the thing they were most upset about was not the actual teaching but that they didn't want to take the blame for killing Jesus. Peter of course doubled down and basically accused them of killing the messiah. The leaders were furious and wanted to kill them, probably because their pride hurt. However, there was a teacher who was actually just among them (Gamaliel), and he gave examples of uprising that failed because they weren't of God. Then he convinced them to let the apostles go, because if they were with God they would succeed and if they were against God they would fail. Smart man. Unfortunately, the apostles still got whipped before they were let go. I'm glad courts can't do that anymore. The disciples were actually happy to suffer in the name of Jesus and they continued on with their preaching. It might sound a little sacrilegious, but I kind of wonder if they maybe had some survivors guilt.
Ananias and Sapphira
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.
3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God."
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."
9 Peter said to her, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The Apostles Persecuted
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people all about this new life."
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin, the full assembly of the elders of Israel, and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 "We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people." 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead, whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. 5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.
3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God."
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."
9 Peter said to her, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The Apostles Persecuted
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people all about this new life."
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin, the full assembly of the elders of Israel, and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 "We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people." 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead, whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
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