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Ananias and Sapphira

Illustration of Ananias and Sapphira
Era
Early Church
Date
c. AD 33 โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
Acts 5:1-11

In the early church's culture of radical generosity, Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property but secretly kept back part of the proceeds while claiming to give the whole amount to the apostles - not lying about the gift itself, but about its completeness. Peter confronted Ananias, declaring that he had lied not merely to men but to God, and Ananias fell dead on the spot; when Sapphira arrived unaware and repeated the same lie, she too fell dead. The severe judgment brought great fear on the whole church and all who heard of it, underscoring how seriously God regards hypocrisy and deceit within a community meant to reflect his own truthfulness.

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Key Passage

Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:1-11

B1ut a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostlesโ€™ feet. 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? 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. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 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. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Read full chapter: Acts 5 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

The Roman Empire under Nero, Vespasian, and Domitian. Nero persecutes Christians (AD 64). Jerusalem and its temple are destroyed by Rome (AD 70). Pompeii is buried by Vesuvius (AD 79). The Colosseum is built. This is the era of the Pax Romana's later years and increasing imperial cult pressure.

When: c. AD 30 - 100

Key Civilizations: Roman Empire (Flavian dynasty)

Biblical Parallels: Acts 1-28

Destruction of the Second Temple (70 AD), rise of rabbinic Judaism