New International VersionDidn’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.”
New Living TranslationThe property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
English Standard VersionWhile 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.”
Berean Standard BibleDid it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”
Berean Literal BibleRemaining, did not it remain yours? And having been sold, was it not in the own authority? Why did you purpose this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!"
King James BibleWhiles 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.
New King James VersionWhile it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
New American Standard BibleWhile it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.”
NASB 1995“While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
NASB 1977“While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.”
Legacy Standard BibleWhile it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your authority? Why is it that you laid this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
Amplified BibleAs long as it remained [unsold], did it not remain your own [to do with as you pleased]? And after it was sold, was the money not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this act [of hypocrisy and deceit] in your heart? You have not [simply] lied to people, but to God.”
Christian Standard BibleWasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleWasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!”
American Standard VersionWhile it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God.
Contemporary English VersionThe property was yours before you sold it, and even after you sold it, the money was still yours. What made you do such a thing? You didn't lie to people. You lied to God!"
English Revised VersionWhiles it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhile you had the land, it was your own. After it was sold, you could have done as you pleased with the money. So how could you do a thing like this? You didn't lie to people but to God!"
Good News TranslationBefore you sold the property, it belonged to you; and after you sold it, the money was yours. Why, then, did you decide to do such a thing? You have not lied to people--you have lied to God!"
International Standard VersionAs long as it remained unsold, wasn't it your own? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? So how could you have thought of doing what you did? You didn't lie only to men, but also to God!"
NET BibleBefore it was sold, did it not belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God!"
New Heart English BibleWhile you kept it, did not it remain your own? After it was sold, was not it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people, but to God."
Webster's Bible TranslationWhile it remained, was it not thy own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied to men, but to God.
Weymouth New TestamentWhile it remained unsold, was not the land your own? And when sold, was it not at your own disposal? How is it that you have cherished this design in your heart? It is not to men you have told this lie, but to God." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleDid it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”
World English BibleWhile you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhile it remained, did it not remain yours? And having been sold, was it not in your authority? Why [is] it that you put this thing in your heart? You did not lie to men, but to God”;
Berean Literal BibleRemaining, did not it remain yours? And having been sold, was it not in the own authority? Why did you purpose this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!"
Young's Literal Translation while it remained, did it not remain thine? and having been sold, in thy authority was it not? why is it that thou didst put in thy heart this thing? thou didst not lie to men, but to God;'
Smith's Literal TranslationRemaining, did it not remain to thee? and sold, it was in thy power: for what hast thou put this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied to men, but to God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhilst it remained, did it not remain to thee? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.
Catholic Public Domain VersionDid it not belong to you while you retained it? And having sold it, was it not in your power? Why have you set this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”
New American BibleWhile it remained unsold, did it not remain yours? And when it was sold, was it not still under your control? Why did you contrive this deed? You have lied not to human beings, but to God.”
New Revised Standard VersionWhile it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWas it not your own before you sold it? And after it was sold, had you not the sole authority over its price? What made you think to do this thing? You have not only lied to men but to God.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishWas it not yours until it was sold? And after it was sold, again you had power over its proceeds. Why have you set your heart to do this thing? You have not cheated men but God.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentWhile it remained unsold, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your own disposal? Why have you purposed this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.
Godbey New TestamentRemaining with thee did it not belong to thee; and having been sold, was it not still in thy control? why hast thou placed this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied to men, but to God.
Haweis New Testamentit remained unsold, was it not vested in thee? and when sold, was it not in thine own power? why then hast thou determined in thine heart to do this deed? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Mace New Testamentwas not the estate your own estate? and was not the price for which it was sold, all in your own hands? how came such a design as this in your heart? thou hast not lyed unto men, but unto God.
Weymouth New TestamentWhile it remained unsold, was not the land your own? And when sold, was it not at your own disposal? How is it that you have cherished this design in your heart? It is not to men you have told this lie, but to God."
Worrell New TestamentWhile remaining, did it not remain your own? and, when sold, did it not continue in your own authority? Why did you conceive in your heart this thing? You did not lie to men, but to God."
Worsley New TestamentWhile it remained, did it not remain thy own? and when sold, was it not in thy own power? what is the meaning that thou hast taken this into thine heart? Thou hast not lyed to men, but to God.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Ananias and Sapphira… 3Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? 4Did it not belongto youbefore it was sold?Andafter it was sold,was it notatyourdisposal?Howcould you conceivesucha deedinyourheart?You have not liedto men,butto God!”5On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.…
Cross References Genesis 4:9And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Joshua 7:11Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them, and they have taken some of what was devoted to destruction. Indeed, they have stolen and lied, and they have put these things with their own possessions.
1 Samuel 15:22But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.
2 Samuel 12:9Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.
Psalm 51:4Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.
Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
Jeremiah 17:10I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
Ezekiel 18:4Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
Malachi 3:8Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings.
Matthew 6:24No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Matthew 12:31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Luke 16:10Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Luke 19:8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”
John 8:44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
Romans 2:2And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
Treasury of Scripture Whiles it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied to men, but to God. was it not thine. Exodus 35:21,22,29 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing,and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments… 1 Chronicles 29:3,5,9,17 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver,which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, … 1 Corinthians 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. why. Acts 8:21,22 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God… Joshua 7:25,26 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones… Job 15:35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit. thou hast. Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep backpart of the price of the land? Exodus 16:8 And Moses said,This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and whatare we? your murmuringsare not against us, but against the LORD. Numbers 16:11 For which causeboth thou and all thy companyare gathered together against the LORD: and whatis Aaron, that ye murmur against him? Jump to Previous AuthorityBelongCherishedConceivedDesignDisposalExchangeHeartKeptLieLiedMindMoneyPowerPropertyPurposePurposedSoldThinkWasn'tWhilesJump to Next AuthorityBelongCherishedConceivedDesignDisposalExchangeHeartKeptLieLiedMindMoneyPowerPropertyPurposePurposedSoldThinkWasn'tWhilesActs 5 1.After that Ananias and Sapphira his wife,3.at Peter's rebuke had fallen down dead;12.and that the rest of the apostles had wrought many miracles;14.to the increase of the faith;17.the apostles are again imprisoned;19.but delivered by an angel bidding them preach openly to all;21.when, after their teaching accordingly in the temple,29.and before the council,33.they are in danger to be killed;34.but through the advice of Gamaliel, they are kept alive, and are only beaten;41.for which they glorify God, and cease no day from preaching.Did it not belong to you before it was sold?This phrase highlights the principle of personal property and stewardship. In the early church, believers voluntarily shared their possessions ( Acts 4:32-37), but there was no compulsion to do so. The land Ananias sold was his own, emphasizing the freedom and responsibility of ownership. This reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are entrusted with resources by God and are accountable for their use ( Genesis 1:28, Psalm 24:1). And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal?
Even after the sale, Ananias had the freedom to decide what to do with the proceeds. This underscores the voluntary nature of giving in the early church. The issue was not the amount given but the deceit involved. This connects to the broader biblical theme of integrity and honesty in dealings (Proverbs 11:1,2 Corinthians 9:7). How could you conceive such a deed in your heart?
This question addresses the internal motivation and the heart's role in sin. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of will and emotion (Jeremiah 17:9,Matthew 15:19). Ananias's sin was premeditated, showing a deliberate choice to deceive. This reflects the biblical teaching that sin originates in the heart and mind before manifesting in actions (James 1:14-15). You have not lied to men, but to God!
This statement emphasizes the gravity of Ananias's sin. While the lie was outwardly to the apostles, it was ultimately against God, highlighting the divine presence and authority within the church. This connects to the biblical understanding that God is omniscient and sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7,Hebrews 4:13). It also underscores the Holy Spirit's role in the church, equating lying to the Spirit with lying to God, affirming the deity of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17,Acts 5:3). Persons / Places / Events 1. Ananias and SapphiraA married couple in the early church who sold a piece of property but deceitfully withheld part of the proceeds while claiming to donate the entire amount to the apostles. 2. PeterOne of Jesus' apostles and a leader in the early church, who confronts Ananias about his deceit. 3. The Early Church in JerusalemThe community of believers who shared their possessions and lived in unity, as described in the preceding chapters of Acts. 4. The Holy SpiritThe third person of the Trinity, to whom Ananias and Sapphira lied, as emphasized by Peter. 5. The Event of DeceptionThe act of Ananias and Sapphira lying about the proceeds from the sale of their property, which led to their deaths as a divine judgment. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinSin is not just a social or moral failing but an offense against God. Ananias and Sapphira's account reminds us of the gravity of deceit and hypocrisy. Integrity in StewardshipAs stewards of God's resources, we must handle them with integrity and transparency, recognizing that all we have is ultimately God's. The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is actively involved in the life of believers, and lying to the Spirit is a serious offense. We must cultivate a relationship of honesty and openness with the Spirit. Community AccountabilityThe early church was a community of accountability. We, too, should foster environments where truth is upheld, and deceit is lovingly confronted. The Heart's IntentionsGod sees beyond our actions to the intentions of our hearts. We must regularly examine our motives and align them with God's will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Acts 5:4?
2.How does Acts 5:4 emphasize personal responsibility in handling possessions?
3.What does Acts 5:4 teach about honesty before God and the church?
4.How can Acts 5:4 guide us in financial integrity today?
5.Connect Acts 5:4 with Proverbs 12:22 on the importance of truthfulness.
6.How should Acts 5:4 influence our accountability within our faith community?
7.How does Acts 5:4 address the concept of personal responsibility in faith?
8.What does Acts 5:4 reveal about the nature of sin and deception?
9.How does Acts 5:4 illustrate the role of free will in Christian doctrine?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 5?
11.What happened to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5?
12.What does the Bible say about angels?
13.Acts 5:1–11: How can two people suddenly die for lying, and is there any historical or medical evidence supporting such an event?
14.What is the Bible's perspective on socialism?What Does Acts 5:4 Mean Did it not belong to you before it was sold?Acts 5:4a reminds us that the land was Ananias’s personal property. God’s Word recognizes legitimate ownership, yet also teaches that all we possess ultimately comes from Him. • Ownership affirmed –Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof.” –1 Chronicles 29:14 shows that what we “own” is entrusted by God. • Voluntary generosity, not coercion –Acts 4:34-35 describes believers freely laying gifts at the apostles’ feet. – God never forces giving; He invites it. Ananias’s sin was not withholding the land, but pretending to give all while secretly keeping part. The verse calls us to view every possession as a stewardship issue: God lets us hold it, yet He wants honesty and integrity when we decide how to use it.
And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal?Ananias had complete freedom over the proceeds. The Spirit, through Peter, underscores that generosity must spring from willing hearts, not social pressure. • Freedom to decide –2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion.” –Acts 11:29 shows disciples giving “each according to his ability.” • Sin identified – The issue is hypocrisy. Publicly, Ananias acted as though he gave 100%; privately, he kept a portion. – God values authenticity more than the amount placed in the offering. When we steward resources today, He still asks for transparency. Hidden motives erode trust within the body and grieve the Spirit.
How could you conceive such a deed in your heart?The real battlefield is the heart. Ananias pre-meditated the deception; it was not a spur-of-the-moment blunder. • The heart’s capacity for deceit –Jeremiah 17:9 warns, “The heart is deceitful above all things.” –Mark 7:21-22 lists the evils that proceed “from within, out of men’s hearts.” • The downward spiral –James 1:14-15: “Each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then desire…gives birth to sin.” Guarding our inner life with Scripture, prayer, and accountability keeps temptation from maturing into harmful action.
You have not lied to men, but to God!Peter exposes the ultimate offense: deception aimed at the Holy Spirit, revealing His full deity. • Lying to God, not merely leadership –Psalm 51:4: “Against You, You only, have I sinned.” – When believers mislead Christ’s church, they cross a line directly into God’s presence (Luke 10:16). • The Spirit is God – Equating lying to the Spirit with lying to God testifies to the Spirit’s divine personhood, affirming the Trinity. –Ephesians 4:30 urges, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.” Sin committed in secret is fully visible to the Lord. He defends the purity of His church because the credibility of the gospel is at stake.
summaryActs 5:4 teaches that God graciously entrusts resources to us, grants freedom in how we share them, examines the motives of our hearts, and takes dishonesty toward His Spirit with utmost seriousness. Authentic stewardship combines ownership with integrity, generosity with sincerity, and public testimony with private truthfulness. (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, he would have been free from any special blame. As it was, the attempt to obtain the reputation of saintliness without the reality of sacrifice, involved him in the guilt at once of sacrilege, though there had been no formal consecration, and of perjury, though there had been no formulated oath. Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.--The parallelism between this and "lying to the Holy Ghost" inActs 5:3 has often been used, and perfectly legitimately, as a proof that while the Apostles thought of the Spirit as sent by the Father, and therefore distinct in His personality, they yet did not shrink from speaking of Him as God, and so identifying Him with the Divine Essential Being. Verse 4.- Did it not remain for was it not, A.V.; thy for thine own, A.V.; how is it that thou hast for why hast thou, A.V.; thy heart for thine heart, A.V. Did it not remain, etc.? The exact meaning is - Did it not remain to thee? i.e. unsold it was thine, and when sold the price of it was thine. There was no compulsion as regards giving it away. The act was one of deliberate hypocrisy - an attempt to deceive God himself.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Did it not belongἔμενεν(emenen)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3306:To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.to youσοὶ(soi)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.before it was sold?μένον(menon)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3306:To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.Andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.after it was sold,πραθὲν(prathen)Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4097:A reduplicated and prolonged form of prao; contracted from perao; to traffic, i.e. Dispose of as merchandise or into slavery.was it [not]ὑπῆρχεν(hypērchen)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5225:To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).atἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.[your]σῇ(sē)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4674:Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine.disposal?ἐξουσίᾳ(exousia)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849:From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.Howτί(ti)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101:Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.could you conceiveἔθου(ethou)Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 5087:To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.suchτοῦτο(touto)Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.a deedπρᾶγμα(pragma)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4229:A thing done, a deed, action; a matter, an affair. From prasso; a deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.yourσου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.heart?καρδίᾳ(kardia)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2588:Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.You have not liedἐψεύσω(epseusō)Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 5574:To deceive, lie, speak falsely. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood.to men,ἀνθρώποις(anthrōpois)Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.butἀλλὰ(alla)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.to God!”Θεῷ(Theō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.
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NT Apostles: Acts 5:4 While you kept it didn't it remain (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
