While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter isn't just pointing out a lie; he's highlighting that Ananias had complete freedom to keep his property, either before or after selling it. The real sin wasn't withholding money, but the intention to deceive the community and God by presenting a partial gift as a total one, seeking glory without true sacrifice.
While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter confronts Ananias directly, highlighting that the decision to sell their property and contribute the proceeds was entirely voluntary. The early church practiced a radical generosity, but it was never a forced communism; individuals retained ownership until they chose to give. Ananias's sin wasn't giving less than he promised, but lying about what he gave, a deception aimed not at Peter, but at the Holy Spirit and God Himself.
Did you know that the early church's radical generosity wasn't a rule everyone had to follow? Peter lays out a crucial distinction here.
Peter reminds Ananias and Sapphira that their decision to sell property and give to the church was entirely voluntary.
A Free-Will Offering
The early church did share possessions, but this was a communal spirit born of love and conviction, not a rigid law. This highlights that true generosity flows from a willing heart, not external pressure.
Ananias didn't just lie about money; he lied about something much deeper. Peter zeroes in on the source of the deception.
Peter confronts Ananias not just for the outward act of deception but for the intention behind it – the heart's attitude.
The Heart of the Matter
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Peter makes a profound statement about who Ananias truly deceived. It's a key moment for understanding the nature of the Holy Spirit.
Peter's accusation reveals a crucial theological truth about the Holy Spirit's identity.
The Divine Target
This isn't just about Ananias's punishment; it's a foundational revelation about the Godhead – that the Holy Spirit is fully God.
Understand the original words
theos · Greek Noun
The Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the only One worthy of worship, and the ultimate moral authority to whom all humanity is accountable.
The early church's radical sharing was voluntary, not compulsory. Ananias and Sapphira's sin was not in keeping some of the money, but in the deliberate lie and hypocrisy, attempting to deceive God and gain reputation without true sacrifice.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Early Jerusalem Church Fellowship
Following Jesus' ascension, the earliest Christian community in Jerusalem shared possessions voluntarily, creating a powerful witness to their unity and devotion. This practice was not mandatory but a demonstration of love and commitment.
c. AD 30-33
Ananias and Sapphira's Deception
Ananias and Sapphira sold a property but deceptively withheld a portion of the proceeds, while presenting the remainder as if it were the full amount. They lied to the apostles and, by extension, to the Holy Spirit and God.
c. AD 30-33
Divine Judgment on Ananias and Sapphira
Peter confronts Ananias, revealing his deceit. Ananias immediately falls down dead, and shortly after, Sapphira also dies after lying to Peter. This event strikes fear into the surrounding community.
c. AD 30-33
Growth of the Church and Fear
Despite the severe judgment, the church continued to grow. However, a profound sense of awe and fear of God's power and purity permeated the community and those who heard of these events.
This passage describes Eve's sin, which involved seeing that the forbidden fruit was 'desirable for making one wise' and then taking some and eating it, a parallel to Ananias seeing the desire for praise and acting on it.
Proverbs 15:8This verse states that 'The Lord detests the sacrifice of a wicked person, but the prayers of the upright please him,' directly aligning with Peter's rebuke that Ananias's 'sacrifice' was not accepted because it was offered with deceit.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17Paul calls believers 'God's temple' and states that 'God's Spirit dwells in you,' which echoes Peter's assertion to Ananias that he had lied not just to men or the apostles, but to God and His Spirit.
2 Corinthians 8:21This verse mentions 'providing honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men,' highlighting the importance of integrity in both our private devotion and public actions, a principle Ananias violated.
Matthew 18:20Jesus states that 'where two or three gather in my name, there am I among them,' reinforcing Peter's point that Ananias was not just deceiving the apostles but God Himself, who was present in their midst.
ellicottActs 5:4: "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."
(4) Whiles it remained . . . —Fresh circumstances are pressed home, as depriving the act of every possible excuse. Ananias had not been bound by any rule of the Church to such a gift. At every stage he was free to act as he thought best; and had he brought part as part, or even brought nothing, h…
jfbActs 5:4: "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."
- While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?—from which we see how purely voluntary were all these sacrifices for the support of the infant community.not lied to men but God—to men so entirely the instruments of the directing Spirit that the li…
Peter isn't just pointing out a lie; he's highlighting that Ananias had complete freedom to keep his property, either before or after selling it. The real sin wasn't withholding money, but the intention to deceive the community and God by presenting a partial gift as a total one, seeking glory without true sacrifice.
Peter confronts Ananias directly, highlighting that the decision to sell their property and contribute the proceeds was entirely voluntary. The early church practiced a radical generosity, but it was never a forced communism; individuals retained ownership until they chose to give. Ananias's sin wasn't giving less than he promised, but lying about what he gave, a deception aimed not at Peter, but at the Holy Spirit and God Himself.
Peter confronts Ananias directly, highlighting that the decision to sell their property and contribute the proceeds was entirely voluntary. The early church practiced a radical generosity, but it was never a forced communism; individuals retained ownership until they chose to give. Ananias's sin wasn't giving less than he promised, but lying about what he gave, a deception aimed not at Peter, but at the Holy Spirit and God Himself.
"While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”" — Peter isn't just pointing out a lie; he's highlighting that Ananias had complete freedom to keep his property, either before or after selling it. The real sin wasn't withholding money, but the inte…
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Last reviewed October 2026