Upon all that heard it for on all them that heard these things, A.V. and T.R. Gave up the ghost ( ἐξέψυξε ). The same word as in Acts 5:10 and Acts 12:23 , but found nowhere else in the New Testament. Great fear, etc. We have here an example of punishment which is remedial, not to the person punished, but to others, by displaying the just judgment of God as a warning against sin. read more
And wrapped him round for wound him up, A.V.; they carried for carried, A.V. The young men ( νεώτεροι : called in Acts 5:10 νεανίσκοι , ) . There does not seem to be sufficient ground for supposing, with Meyer, that a definite class of Church servants is here meant. The young men of the Church would, as a matter of course, perform such services as that here spoken of, when directed by the πρεσβύτεροι , the elders, in age or office. read more
And Ananias, hearing these words ... - Seeing that his guilt was known, and being charged with the enormous crime of attempting to deceive God. He had not expected to be thus exposed; and it is clear that the exposure and the charge came upon him unexpectedly and terribly, like a bolt of thunder.Fell down - Greek: Having fallen down.Gave up the ghost - This is an unhappy translation. The original means simply “he expired,” or “he died.” Compare the notes on Matthew 27:50. This remarkable fact... read more
And the young men - The youth of the congregation; very probably young men who were in attendance as “servants,” or those whose business it was to attend on the congregation, and perform various offices when Christians celebrated their worship (Mosheim). The word used here sometimes denotes a “servant.” It is used also, Acts 5:10, to denote “soldiers,” as they were commonly enlisted of the vigorous and young. The fact that they took up Ananias voluntarily implies that they were accustomed to... read more
Acts 5:5-6. And Ananias, hearing these words While the sound of them was yet in his ears; fell down and gave up the ghost Εξεψυξε , expired. It does not appear whether Peter designed or expected this event to follow upon what he said, though it seems probable, from the sentence he denounced on Sapphira, (Acts 5:9,) that he did. It is likely that Ananias’s own conscience smote him with such horror and amazement at the sight of his guilt, that he sunk down and died at the sense of it. Or,... read more
Sin, cleansing and further growth (4:32-5:16)Believers continued to sell their property and bring money from the sales to the apostles for distribution among the poor (32-35). One example of generosity came from a Jew from Cyprus who so consistently helped and encouraged others that people gave him a name to suit his character, Barnabas (meaning ‘son of encouragement’) (36-37).There was no rule that forced people to sell their property. When Ananias and Sapphira sold some property, their sin... read more
And = Now, or But. words. App-121 . gave up tho ghost = expired. Only here, Acts 5:10 ; Acts 12:23 . A medical word. Compare ekpneo. Mark 15:37 . great fear. Compare "great grace", "great power", in Acts 4:33 . on = upon. App-104 . these things. The texts omit. read more
young men = younger (men). arose. App-178 . wound . . . up. Greek. sustello. Only here and 1 Corinthians 7:29 . read more
And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it.This sudden physical death of Ananias and his wife (a little later) has been taken by some to imply also their loss eternally; and, while not pretending to know if this is true or not, this writer inclines toward the possibility suggested by Bruce:It may have been an act of mercy as well, if we think of the incident in the light of Paul's words about another offender against the Christian... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 5:1-11
The sin of heart: untruth and its punishment. As the shadow follows the light, so Christianity has been marked in its progress by a deep and broadening shadow of hypocrisy. After the glorious picture of sunny days of the Spirit's life in the preceding chapter, a dark view of human deceit is presented. The root of bitterness springs up amidst the Divine delights of the time, and many are troubled. I. THE SIN OF ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA . Essentially it was the acting of a lie. ... read more