Chapter

Acts 5:8

ESV And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”
NIV Peter asked her, 'Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?' 'Yes,' she said, 'that is the price.'
NASB And Peter responded to her, 'Tell me whether you sold the land for this price?' And she said, 'Yes, for that price.'
CSB "Tell me," Peter asked her, "did you sell the land for this price? ""Yes," she said, "for that price."
NLT Peter asked her, 'Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?' 'Yes,' she replied, 'that was the price.'
KJV And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

What does Acts 5:8 mean?

Ananias and Sapphira sold some land and, apparently, promised God they would donate all the proceeds to the church. Before they gave the money to the apostles, they either changed their minds and kept some, or never really intended to give all of it. Rather than being honest, the pair seem to have chosen to lie about their generosity. Ananias brought the money earlier in the day, but because of his dishonesty God struck him dead. Sapphira has now appeared and knows nothing of Ananias' death (Acts 5:1–6).

Peter uses a technique God has used throughout history, starting with Adam and Eve. When God came to the garden after Adam and Eve ate the fruit, He called out, "Where are you?" He didn't ask this because He didn't know where they were. He was giving them an opportunity to engage in conversation (Genesis 3:9). He wanted them to admit what they had done so He could restore some of their relationship. God also asks questions when He wants to direct the course of the conversation. He used this tactic with Moses (Exodus 4:2), and Jesus used it with the woman with an issue of blood (Mark 5:30).

God condemned Ananias with death for his lie. Sapphira still has a chance to tell the truth. Peter invites her to do so by directing the conversation. She doesn't have to follow her husband into sin—Abigail didn't (1 Samuel 25). Unfortunately, Sapphira is as deceitful as Ananias. She repeats the lie, and God judges her for it.
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