But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter's sharp question isn't just about their lie, but about their belief that they could actually test God's Spirit to see if He could be fooled. The chilling detail of the burial party's footsteps being heard at the door isn't just to emphasize the timing, but to show how immediately their lie intersected with death itself.
But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter confronts Sapphira after she lies about the money they donated, exposing their shared conspiracy to deceive the early church and "test" the Holy Spirit's power. Just as Peter delivers this judgment, the very men who buried her husband are heard returning, and Peter reveals that they will soon carry her out as well, echoing the immediate fate of Ananias.
Why did Peter use the strong phrase 'test the Spirit of the Lord'? It wasn't just about lying; it was about challenging God's very nature.
When Ananias and Sapphira sold their property, they had a choice: be honest with the apostles about the money, or try to deceive them.
By pretending to give the full amount while keeping some back, they weren't just being dishonest with Peter and the others. They were deliberately trying to see if the Spirit of God, who indwelt the apostles, could detect their lie.
This is what Peter means by 'testing the Spirit.' They were acting as if God's power to discern truth could be fooled or bypassed. This isn't a minor offense; it's a direct challenge to God's omniscience and His authority within the community.
The immediate death of Ananias and Sapphira is shocking. What does this severe judgment tell us about God's heart for His people?
The early Church was a new, fragile community, just beginning to form under the apostles' leadership. God needed to establish a clear precedent that hypocrisy and deceit would not be tolerated within this sacred space.
This wasn't just about punishing two individuals; it was a powerful, public demonstration intended to safeguard the purity and integrity of the nascent Christian movement.
Their judgment served as a stark warning: to the early believers, to those considering joining, and even to us today, that sincerity and truthfulness are foundational to belonging to God's people. The striking contrast between their outward profession and inner deceit demanded an equally striking divine response to impress its gravity upon all.
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Understand the original words
pneuma · Greek Noun
Refers to the third person of the Trinity, the active presence of God in the lives of believers and the Church, who guides, empowers, and convicts of sin.
peirazō · Greek Verb
To examine or scrutinize God or His agents, typically implying a lack of trust, skepticism, or an attempt to probe the limits of God's patience and sovereignty.
kyrios · Greek Noun
In the New Testament context, it is a title often used for Jesus, affirming His deity, authority, and rightful place as the sovereign over the Church and the universe.
This event highlights the critical need for absolute honesty and purity at the very beginning of the church, establishing a solemn warning against hypocrisy as the community was forming.
Early 1st century AD
Founding of the Early Christian Church
Following Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, leading to the rapid growth of the early church in Jerusalem. Believers share possessions and live communally.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Ananias and Sapphira's Deception
Ananias and Sapphira sell property but lie to the apostles about the amount, claiming to give it all while secretly holding back funds. Ananias is immediately struck dead for his deception.
Early 1st century AD
Sapphira's Judgment
Sapphira arrives three hours later and, when questioned by Peter, also lies about the proceeds from the sale, resulting in her immediate death.
Early 1st century AD
Widespread Fear and Respect for the Apostles
The dramatic judgments on Ananias and Sapphira cause great fear among the believers and all who hear about it, leading to increased respect for the apostles and the church.
Jesus speaks of judgment falling on those who shed innocent blood and hypocrisy, echoing the theme of divine reckoning for hidden sin and deceit within a community.
1 Corinthians 11:29This passage warns against partaking in the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner, lest one incur judgment, highlighting the serious consequences of insincerity and spiritual compromise.
Genesis 3:4-5The serpent tempted Eve by questioning God's word and promising divine-like knowledge, a parallel to Ananias and Sapphira attempting to deceive the Spirit and gain worldly benefit.
Joshua 7:1Achan's secret sin of taking plunder from Jericho brought disaster upon Israel, illustrating how hidden sin and dishonesty can bring swift judgment upon a community and its leaders.
Hebrews 12:15This verse warns against a 'root of bitterness' that can defile many, emphasizing the danger of unaddressed sin and its corrupting influence, much like Sapphira's complicity in deceit.
ellicottActs 5:9: "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."
(9) To tempt the Spirit of the Lord — i.e., to try, or test, whether the Spirit that dwelt in the Apostles was really a discerner of the secrets of men’s hearts. The “Spirit of the Lord” is probably used in its Old Testament sense, as the Spirit of Jehovah. The combination is rare in the Ne…
barnesActs 5:9: "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."
Agreed together - Conspired, or laid a plan. From this it seems that Sapphira was as guilty as her husband, To tempt - To try; to endeavor to impose on, or to deceive; that is, to act as if the Spirit of the Lord could not detect the crime. They did this by trying to see whether the Spirit…
Peter's sharp question isn't just about their lie, but about their belief that they could actually test God's Spirit to see if He could be fooled. The chilling detail of the burial party's footsteps being heard at the door isn't just to emphasize the timing, but to show how immediately their lie intersected with death itself.
Peter confronts Sapphira after she lies about the money they donated, exposing their shared conspiracy to deceive the early church and "test" the Holy Spirit's power. Just as Peter delivers this judgment, the very men who buried her husband are heard returning, and Peter reveals that they will soon carry her out as well, echoing the immediate fate of Ananias.
Peter confronts Sapphira after she lies about the money they donated, exposing their shared conspiracy to deceive the early church and "test" the Holy Spirit's power. Just as Peter delivers this judgment, the very men who buried her husband are heard returning, and Peter reveals that they will soon carry her out as well, echoing the immediate fate of Ananias.
"But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”" — Peter's sharp question isn't just about their lie, but about their belief that they could actually test God's Spirit to see if He could be fooled. The chilling detail of the burial party's footstep…
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Last reviewed October 2026