In brief
Ananias and Sapphira were a couple in the first church of Jerusalem, shortly after Pentecost. While believers were selling their possessions to share them, they sold a piece of property, kept back part of the price and claimed to bring all of it to the apostles. Peter exposed this lie told to the Holy Spirit. One after the other, they fell dead. Great fear seized the whole church. Their story is a reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness of hypocrisy.
What does the name Ananias and Sapphira mean?
Ananias is the Greek form of the Hebrew Hananiah, generally understood as the Lord has been gracious. Sapphira is often linked to an Aramaic word meaning beautiful, or to the sapphire stone. The Bible does not comment on these names, whose meaning contrasts with their conduct.
The story of Ananias and Sapphira
A generous church
Acts 4:32-37In the first church of Jerusalem, the believers are of one heart and soul. Those who own fields or houses sell them and bring the proceeds to the apostles, who distribute them according to need. Barnabas sells a field in this way and lays the money at the apostles' feet.
A sale and a secret agreement
Acts 5:1-2Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sells a piece of property. With his wife's agreement, he keeps back part of the price and lays the rest at the apostles' feet, letting them believe he is giving everything. Their fault is not that they kept some money, but that they lied to seem generous.
The lie exposed
Acts 5:3-6Peter asks Ananias why Satan has filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. The field and its price were his to dispose of. Peter declares that he has not lied to people but to God. Ananias falls down and dies, and great fear seizes all who hear of it.
Sapphira confirms the lie
Acts 5:7-10About three hours later, Sapphira comes in, not knowing what has happened. Peter asks her whether the field was sold for such a price. She answers that it was. Peter reproaches her for agreeing with her husband to test the Spirit of the Lord. She too falls down and dies.
Great fear in the church
Acts 5:11Great fear seizes the whole church and all who hear about these things. This exceptional judgment, at the very beginning of the church, is a reminder that God lives among his people by his Spirit and that his holiness cannot be mocked.
Test your knowledge
What Ananias and Sapphira teaches us
- God looks at the heart and is not fooled by appearances.
- Lying to the church amounts to lying to the Holy Spirit, and therefore to God.
- A gift is pleasing to God only if it is sincere and freely given.
- In a couple, agreement should serve the truth and not sin.
- The fear of God protects the church from hypocrisy.
Key verses
Peter reveals the origin of the sin: Satan filled the heart of Ananias. This verse also shows that the Holy Spirit is a divine person to whom one can lie.
Ananias was free to keep his field or his money. The sin is not in having held back a share, but in having lied. Peter concludes that this lie was addressed to God himself.
Great fear seizes the church and all who hear of these events. This fear is not terror, but a deep respect for the holiness of the God who lives among his people.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Ananias and Sapphira die?
Because they lied to the Holy Spirit. They had sold a field, kept back part of the price and claimed to give it all. Nothing obliged them to give. Their fault was planned hypocrisy. This judgment, at the beginning of the church, showed the holiness of God among his people.
What do the names Ananias and Sapphira mean?
Ananias comes from the Hebrew Hananiah, generally understood as the Lord has been gracious. Sapphira is often linked to an Aramaic word meaning beautiful, or to the sapphire stone. The Bible does not explain these names.
Where can I find the story of Ananias and Sapphira in the Bible?
Their story is found in the book of Acts, chapter 5, verses 1 to 11. It follows the end of chapter 4, which describes the sharing of goods in the church of Jerusalem and the gift of Barnabas, with which their conduct contrasts.