Acts 5:4

2 With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?

Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”

5 On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.

6 Then the young men stepped forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”
KJV
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
WEB
While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”
ASV
While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God.
DARBY
While it remained did it not remain to *thee*? and sold, was [it not] in thine own power? Why is it that thou hast purposed this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.
BLB
Remaining, did it not remain yours? And having been sold, was it [not] in [your] own authority? Why did you purpose this deed in your heart? You did not lie to men but to God!”
ÅB
Var den ikke din så lenge du hadde den, og var den ikke i din makt da den ble solgt? Hvorfor har du satt deg denne gjerning fore i ditt hjerte? Du har ikke løyet for mennesker, men for Gud.
OTB
Var det ikke ditt før det ble solgt? Og etter at det ble solgt, var det ikke til din disposisjon? Hvorfor har du tenkt ut denne gjerningen i ditt hjerte? Du har ikke løyet for mennesker, men for Gud.”
B1930
Var den ikke din så lenge du hadde den, og var den ikke i din makt da den blev solgt? Hvorfor har du satt dig denne gjerning fore i ditt hjerte? Du har ikke løiet for mennesker, men for Gud.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Acts 5:3

    Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?

    Read in context
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:8

    Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.

    Read in context
  • 1 Chronicles 29:3

    Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give for it my personal treasures of gold and silver, over and above all that I have provided for this holy temple:

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 5:25–27

    When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Gehazi, where have you been?” “Your servant did not go anywhere,” he replied.

    Read in context
  • Joshua 7:25–26

    “Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today the LORD will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies.

    Read in context
  • Luke 10:16

    Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

    Read in context
  • Acts 8:21–22

    You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 38:10

    This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan.

    Read in context