Ananias and Sapphira

1Now a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession

2and kept back part of the price for himself, his wife also being party to it; bringing a certain part he placed it at the Apostles' feet.

3So Peter said: “Ananias, on what basis ¹²²has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the price of the land?

4While it remained unsold was it not yours, and once sold was it not in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You did not lie to men but to God.” ¹²³

5Well upon hearing these words Ananias fell down and expired! (Great fear came on all who heard these things.)

6So the young men got up and wrapped him, and carrying him out they buried him. ¹²⁴

7Now after an interval of some three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ¹²⁵

8So Peter addressed her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” So she said, “Yes, for so much.”

9Peter said to her: “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!”

10So she immediately fell down at his feet and expired! So upon entering the young men found her dead, and carrying her out they buried her beside her husband. ¹²⁶

11So great fear came on the whole assembly and on all who heard these things. ¹²⁷

The Apostles distinguish themselves

12Now many signs and wonders were being performed among the people by the hands of the Apostles; and they were all in Solomon's Porch with one purpose. ¹²⁸

13None of the rest dared to join them, ¹²⁹but the people were magnifying them.

14Believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, ¹³⁰

15to the point that they kept carrying the sick into the streets, placing them on cots and pallets, so that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. ¹³¹

16Further, the multitude from the surrounding cities also kept coming into Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. ¹³²

Sadducees X Apostles

17Then the high priest rose up, and all those with him (being the sect of the Sadducees); they were filled with jealousy ¹³³

18and laid their hands on the Apostles and put them in the common prison.

19But, during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, and leading them out he said,

20“Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” ¹³⁴

21So upon hearing it they entered the temple about daybreak ¹³⁵and started to teach. Then the high priest and those with him arrived and convened the Sanhedrin, even all the council of elders of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

22Well, upon arriving the operatives did not find them in the jail, so they returned and reported,

23saying: “We certainly found the prison securely locked, and the guards standing in front of the doors, but upon opening them we found no one inside!”

24Now when the high priest, ¹³⁶the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were really perplexed as to what the implications might be. ¹³⁷

25But someone came and told them, “Hey, the men whom you put in the jail are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

26Then the captain went with the operatives and brought them without violence, because they were afraid that the people might stone them.

27So bringing them they set them before the Sanhedrin; and the high priest addressed them

28saying: “Did we not emphatically command you not to teach in this name? Just look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood on us!” ¹³⁸

Apostles infuriate Sadducees

29So in answer Peter and the Apostles said: “One must obey God rather than men.

30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.

31Him God has exalted to His right hand as Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. ¹³⁹

32And we are witnesses to these statements about Him, as also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those obeying Him.” ¹⁴⁰

Gamaliel counsels Sadducees

33Well upon hearing it they became infuriated and started plotting to kill them.

34But someone in the council stood up ¹⁴¹(a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law respected by all the people) and commanded to put the Apostles out for a bit.

35He then said to them: “Men, Israelites, take heed to yourselves concerning these men, as to what you are about to do.

36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody; with whom about four hundred men joined up; who was killed, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.

37Later Judas the Galilean rose up, in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.

38So now I say to you, keep away from these men and leave them alone; because if this counsel or this work should be of men, it will be abolished;

39but if it is of God, ¹⁴²you will not be able to overthrow it—lest you even be found to be fighting against God!” ¹⁴³

Sadducees beat and threaten Apostles

40Well they were persuaded by him, ¹⁴⁴and summoned the Apostles; after beating them they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41So they went out rejoicing ¹⁴⁵from the presence of the council, in that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of the Christ. ¹⁴⁶

42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. ¹⁴⁷