Acts 5

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

And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Whiles 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.

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

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.

Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought.

But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

What does Acts 5:27 mean?

Explanation

Acts 5:27 speaks of a moment in the early Christian church when the apostles are brought before the Jewish council, known as the Sanhedrin, to explain their actions. The high priest, who was the head of the council and a significant religious authority, questions them.

This verse appears within a narrative where the apostles have been preaching about Jesus Christ and performing miracles, despite strict orders from the religious authorities not to teach in Jesus' name.

Thus, this verse sets the stage for a confrontation between the early Christian leaders and the established Jewish religious system.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The Book of Acts was written by Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke, and is a continuation of that Gospel.

The event described in Acts 5:27 takes place in the first century after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

The apostles have continued His ministry and have been gaining followers, which has caused tension with the Jewish religious leaders.

The high priest and the Sanhedrin held considerable power within Jewish society and sought to maintain order and orthodoxy, as they saw it, within the temple practices and wider Jewish religious life in Jerusalem.

Theological Insights

In this verse, one can see theological themes such as the tension between human authority and divine mandate.

The apostles believed that they were called to preach about Jesus and his teachings without compromise, even when faced with the highest human religious authority of their time.

The verse symbolizes the challenge the early church faced in adhering to God's command despite external pressures.

From a Christian theological perspective, the verse emphasizes the importance of obedience to God over obedience to human authorities when the two are in conflict.

Practical Applications

For modern readers, Acts 5:27 can inspire several practical applications:

Courage: Christians may draw inspiration to stand firm in their faith and convictions when faced with opposition or interrogation.
Respect for Authority: While maintaining faithfulness to divine commands, believers also learn from this encounter to address authorities respectfully, as the apostles do later in their response.
Conflict Resolution: This instance demonstrates the need for wisdom in how one responds to conflicting ideologies and authority structures in society.

Cross-References

Acts 4:18-20: "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus."
Acts 5:29: "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
John 18:19-23: The questioning of Jesus by the high priest.
Matthew 10:18-20: Jesus foretelling that his followers would be brought before councils and governors.

Language Study

In examining the original Greek text, a few key words stand out:

"Brought" (ἀγαγόντες, agagontes): This term implies being led or taken, often against one's will.
"Set" (ἔστησαν, estēsan): To cause to stand; here it conveys presenting the apostles before the council.
"High Priest" (ἀρχιερεύς, archiereus): This title denotes the highest office in the Jewish religious hierarchy, adding gravity to the situation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The scenario in Acts 5:27 has parallels in other religious and cultural myths in which protagonists confront ruling classes or councils.

For instance, in Greek mythology, Socrates' trial by the Council of Athens has similarities where a figure is judged for defying prevailing religious and social norms.

In many traditions, this archetype exemplifies the struggle for truth and divine justice over human institutions.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, it touches on sociology and psychology, particularly the study of group dynamics and authority.

Social science explores how individuals respond to authority figures and group pressures, which could be relevant in analyzing the behavior of the apostles before the Sanhedrin.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars offer varied interpretations of Acts 5:27:

Some commentaries emphasize the courage of the apostles to preach openly despite the risks, seeing in their example a model for Christian witness.
Others focus on the role of the high priest and the council, examining the political and theological reasons they might have had for opposing the apostles.
There is also discussion about the power dynamics at play, as the apostles address the very authority that formerly condemned Jesus to crucifixion.

Acts 5

Acts 5

What does Acts 5:27 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 5:27 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?