Acts 4:32–5:11

They Had Everything in Common

³²Now the full number of those who believed were of ^kone heart and ^lsoul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but ^mthey had everything in common. ³³And with great ⁿpower the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and ^ogreat grace was upon them all. ^34pThere was not a needy person among them, for ^qas many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold ³⁵and ^rlaid it at the apostles’ feet, and ^sit was distributed to each as any had need. ³⁶Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means ^tson of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, ³⁷sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and ^ulaid it at the apostles’ feet.

Ananias and Sapphira

5But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ²and with his wife’s knowledge ^vhe kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and ^wlaid it at the apostles’ feet. ³But Peter said, “Ananias, why has ^xSatan filled your heart to lie ^yto the Holy Spirit and ^zto keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴While 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 ^ato God.” ⁵When Ananias heard these words, he ^bfell down and breathed his last. And ^cgreat fear came upon all who heard of it. ⁶The young men rose and ^dwrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

⁷After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you¹ sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” ⁹But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together ^eto test ^fthe Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” ¹⁰Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹And ^ggreat fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.