We know that ananias acted with the full support of his wife. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles feet. Ananias and his wife, sapphira, sold a piece of property and brought proceeds from that sale to the apostles to contribute to the needs of the jerusalem church. Ananias comes and lays the money at the disciples feet.
The early church and common property bible study mentor. The sin of ananias and sapphira was, that they were ambitious of being thought eminent disciples, when they were not true disciples. The story of ananias is to the book of acts what the story of achan is to the. Ananias and sapphira 5 now a man named ananias, together with his wife sapphira, also sold a piece of property. Ananias and sapphira a commentary on the bible story in acts 5. First of all, we need to understand that our text is not an interruption in the flow of the book.
No amount of commentary will ever take the edge off this passageand that may be the point. Ananias and sapphira bible story summary and commentary. The account records their sudden deaths after lying to the holy spirit about money their story is rarely shown in art, but is the subject of one of the raphael cartoons, and a panel on the brescia casket. The story of ananias and sapphira in acts 5 is difficult. The true story of ananias and sapphiras lie, is one of the most unsettling in the bible. The name meets us again as belonging to the high priest in acts 23.
Sapphira, is either connected with the sapphire, as a precious stone, or from a hebrew word signifying beautiful or pleasant. Ananias and sapphira sold a piece of property and he decides to keep back part of the proceeds. The story of ananias and sapphira is found in acts 5, and it is a. This chapter recounts the tragic fall of ananias and sapphira acts 5. They presented a falsehood as a truth, and it cost them their lives. Why does luke interrupt his account with this depressing story.
Apr 24, 2019 again, the entry on ananias was disappointing, and for the same reason. The major sin of ananias and sapphira was dishonesty, deceit, hypocrisy, pretense, presenting a false image of themselves, implying a greater spirituality than they actually possessed, letting people think more highly of them than what they knew was warranted. Ananias and sapphira in the book of acts bible study mentor. The morality of the incident has been the source of some commentary. Sapphira is fully aware that ananias has chosen to do this. There is nobody who is lacking the essentials of food, clothing, or shelter. Acts 5 albert barnes notes on the whole bible bible commentaries. The story of ananias is to the book of acts what the story of achan is to the book of. The others usually the church meetings would include people interested in the gospel but not yet added to the church. Their deaths are ascribed to a lie to the holy spirit acts 5. There is a very fa miliar story in acts, chapter 5, of ananias and sapphira. As we read through the 17 verses in our study, we should notice that there are four key players. Acts 5 bible study commentary chapter summary questions.
The community is united in heart and soul, and this unity causes them to freely share their material possessions with each other. Three men by the name of ananias appear in the bible, and each plays a role in the new testament book of acts. The pastor of a local church, troubled over the growing number of unemployed people in the congregation, invites members to pray about what the church should. Commentary on acts 45 ananias and sapphira tough questions. Discipleship ministries book of acts sermon starters week 9. Pride and desire for acclaim motivated the couple to give a gift but without the honesty or sacrifice exhibited by barnabas and others. But a certain man named ananias, with sapphira his wife, sold a possession acts 5. Acts 5 commentary the death of ananias and sapphira.
The story of ananias and sapphira is found in acts 5, and it is a sad story, indeed. The first ananias is featured in a dramatic episode that took place in the early jerusalem church. It actually begins at the end of chapter 4 with the description of the early church in jerusalem, a group of believers so filled with the holy spirit that they were of one heart and one mind. It seems that ananias and sapphira were caught up in the glory of giving. The deaths of ananias and sapphira do not seem to fit with the narrative just before the text and after it. Essentially, it was the acting of a lie acting to imply more generosity than they really had in their hearts. His wife sapphira also lies, and is likewise judged 5. Apr 28, 2012 ananias and sapphira, persecution of the apostles acts 5 commentary ananias and sapphira thought they could decieve god. Ananias and sapphira took this occasion to give, to help others but let satan intrude, resulting in an agreement to lie. Ananias and sapphira bible story summary and commentary jack. Luke, the author of the book of acts thus presents peter and his first church rather critically. However, i was surprised to see that the entry on sapphira was much more extensive, although it, too, contained mostly commentary expressing the opinions of the author. When you read and study the book of acts these accounts we have of christians acting together are a great pleasure to read. Isbn 9781441200266 acts 4 at wikisource acts 5 at wikisource king james version bible commentary.
It would therefore not be unreasonable to draw the conclusion that he did not necessarily act in the most mature way in the situation with ananias and. Story of ananias and sapphira from the book of acts chapter 5 per a. Apr 09, 2019 today well launch our threepart study of ananias and sapphira, whose misunderstood death has been the source of some wild speculation and some questionable conclusions. Barnabas, the son of encouragement, is an important character in the book of acts. The story of the deceit and death of this married couple is important for several reasons. Ananias s and sapphira s cunning deceit in acts 5 stands in stark contrast to the sterling example of barnabus unbridled generosity in acts 4. While others had not done these acts to get praise, im sure they received admiration. S apphira, is either connected with the sapphire, as a precious stone, or from a hebrew word signifying beautiful or pleasant. Jun 25, 2019 the story of ananias and sapphira in the bible takes place in acts 5. Jul 10, 2017 commentary on acts 45 ananias and sapphira july 10, 2017 bill pratt 0 comments the verses of acts 4. Lukes description of peter in the story seems out of character for some readers and for other readers it is hard to understand why god would strike down the couple for merely lying about the amount they gifted to the church.
Darrell bock, acts baker exegetical commentary on the new testament, p. But a certain man named ananias, with sapphira his wife, sold a possession. Study guide for acts 5 by david guzik blue letter bible. But a man named ananias, with his wife sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wifes full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid. Dec 21, 2017 one of the passages copan cites against me is the famous account of ananias and sapphira falling down dead immediately after peter exposes their lie about a donation they made to the kingdom community acts 5. Jun 28, 2004 but they were obligated to be honest acts 5. Jan 06, 2019 lukethe spiritinspired historian who wrote the book of acts tells us in acts 5. Pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario oregon teaches through the bible from the book of acts. Hypocrites may deny themselves, may forego their worldly advantage in one instance, with a prospect of finding their account in something else.
Acts 5, albert barnes notes on the whole bible, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary by albert barnes, a dedicated student of. Just ast the apostolic community is of one mind and heart, so too this couple was of one mind in heart. Bruce writes in the joshua commentary in the nicnt series. Commentary on acts 45 ananias and sapphira the verses of acts 4. Ananias and sapphira grissom road church of christ. In the first verse of the book of acts the author mentions the fact that he has already written an earlier report concerning all things which jesus began both to do and to teach, until that day in which he was taken up. Acts 5 matthew henrys concise commentary on the bible. The forward progress of the church is the second turning point study on the book of acts. Ananias and sapphira, persecution of the apostles acts 5.
Unfortunately, there was a dark side to this seemingly virtuous act. Why no opportunity of for repentance and restoration. Peter keys on this and asks ananias why satan has filled his heart to life to the holy and to keep back for. The sin of ananias and sapphira was, that they were ambitious of. Acts chapter 5 explained discover books of the bible. Chapters available acts mcgarveys original commentary. Acts 5 there were some very generous people in the church of christ in jerusalem people who made great sacrifices so that the many poor people in their number were not in need. David jeremiahs teaching on chapters five through nine separates the transitional from the permanent and highlights every theological and. The story begins with joseph of cyprus, to whom the disciples had g iven the name barnabas, selling some property. The account records their sudden deaths after lying to the holy spirit about money.
May 12, 2018 the story of ananias and sapphira is one of the nt stories that sound too mythical to have actually happened. As with any inductive bible study, weve begun by reading the passage. Study acts 5 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. If god acts to preserve the integrity of the community that the gospel produced, we can have increased confidence.
But a man named ananias, together with his wife sapphira, also sold a piece of property. But a man named ananias, with his wife sapphira, sold a piece of property, what is the meaning of acts 5. He was sent to rome on account of the complaints of the samaritans against the jews, but the jewish cause prevailed, and there is no reason to suppose that ananias lost his. But a certain man named ananias, with sapphira his wife, sold a possession, ananias sapphira. Acts 5 there were some very generous people in the church of christ in jerusalem people who made great sacrifices so that the many poor people in their number were not in need for example, barnabas his name means son of encouragement sold a tract of land.
Bible commentary produced by tow project the deaths of ananias and sapphira acts 5. Copan argues that this deceptive couple was struck down by god, it appears. This links our text with what has just been said at the previous chapter. Jun 06, 2017 at the point of the incident with ananias and sapphira acts 5, peter is at a lessmature stage than he is led to in acts 10 and certainly at a lessmature stage than the writer of 1 john. The story of ananias and sapphira in the bible takes place in acts 5. The apostles heal many introduction of luke jesus taken up into heaven matthias chosen to replace. The apostles heal many introduction of luke jesus taken up into heaven matthias chosen to replace judas the holy spirit comes at pentecost. Ananias and sapphira project gutenberg selfpublishing. Acts 5 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity. A common name among jews, ananias is the greek form of the hebrew name hananiah and means yahweh has been gracious.
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