The Bible Said What?Sample

Annanias and Sapphira

Acts 5 begins with a story that’s truly difficult for us to read and process. A man named Annanias, along with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property, but kept some for themselves before placing the rest “at the apostles’ feet.” 

Somehow Peter found out what Annanias did and confronted him about it. Peter said, “Annanias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart…” He also tells him that the money was his to use at his disposal. Peter seemed to care less about the money that was withheld, for he truly trusted God for provision, and more about the dishonesty displayed by Annanias and Sapphira. 

Right after the confrontation, Annanias fell down and died on the spot. If that’s not harsh enough, Sapphira came in a few hours later and was unaware of what had just happened to her husband. Peter confronted her as well, and she also died on the spot. Both of their deaths incited great fear in the people.

What an intense passage! It feels like the “punishment didn’t fit their crime,” doesn’t it? In order to dissect this passage accurately, it’s important that we jump back to the previous chapter. 

At the end of Acts 4, we see a strong unity between all the believers. We read in Acts 4:32 that “No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” God’s Spirit was working so mightily in each of these believers, including Peter and John, that no one was in need. Part of the reason their needs were met was because of what we read in verse 34: 

For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Acts 4:34 NIV

When thinking about the end of Acts 4 and the description of the believers there, Annanias and Sapphira don’t seem to mix, do they? There was such a purity in this group of believers. They had “one heart and mind,” nobody was selfish, and everyone’s needs were met. It was a beautiful community of people doing life together. But Annanias and Sapphira seemed to be a counterfeit to the true heart of these selfless people. Maybe they wanted to be like them, but when it came to having the money in their hands, they just couldn’t. So, they lied to get undeserved honor. And in this lie it appeared that they were more generous than they actually were. 

Regardless of how challenging this passage is to read, may we still seek to understand passages that may not always make sense. But, in the end, let’s trust in our higher-thinking God and rest that He is completely in control.