Ananias and Sapphira

Life and work

In the early chapters of Acts, the Jerusalem church is described as holding possessions in common, with believers who owned land or houses selling them and bringing the proceeds to the apostles to distribute to those in need (Acts 4:32-35). Against this backdrop, a married couple named Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property, but the two of them agreed together to keep back part of the money for themselves while presenting the rest as though it were the full amount (Acts 5:1-2).

When Ananias brought the money to the apostles, Peter confronted him directly: "Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep for yourself some of the money?" Peter pointed out that the property and the proceeds from its sale had been entirely Ananias's own to do with as he wished — the sin was not in keeping some of the money, but in lying about it, which Peter framed as lying to God rather than merely to people. Hearing this, Ananias fell down and died, and great fear seized everyone who heard about it; the young men present wrapped his body and buried him (Acts 5:3-6).

About three hours later, Sapphira came in, unaware of what had happened to her husband. Peter asked her whether the land had been sold for the amount stated, and she repeated the same lie. Peter told her that the ones who had buried her husband were at the door and would carry her out as well; she immediately fell down and died in the same way, and was buried beside her husband. Acts records that great fear seized the whole church and everyone who heard of it (Acts 5:7-11).

Extra-biblical evidence

No extra-biblical source records Ananias and Sapphira; they are known only from this single episode in Acts.

Scripture references

• Acts 5:1-11 — The deception and deaths of Ananias and Sapphira