Acts 5:7
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
Acts 5:7 (KJV)
Context
Acts 5:7 continues the account of Ananias and Sapphira, a couple who sold a possession and conspired to deceive the apostles and the early Christian community. They agreed to present a portion of the proceeds as a donation but kept back some of the money for themselves. When Ananias brought his portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, discerned the deceit and confronted him. Peter revealed that Ananias had lied not to men but to God, and as a consequence, Ananias fell down dead. The fear of God’s judgment spread throughout those who witnessed the event.
This verse records that about three hours after Ananias’s death, his wife, Sapphira, entered the gathering, not knowing what had been done. The interval of three hours was the time taken for the young men to bury Ananias, as Jewish burial places were outside the city. It was also a window in which Sapphira could have repented, but she did not.
Meaning
Sapphira’s ignorance in this verse is not innocence. She was complicit in the conspiracy to lie about the price of the land from the beginning. Her lack of knowledge here is only about the immediate consequence of their shared sin, not about the sin itself.
The verse serves as a transition within the narrative, building suspense for the confrontation between Peter and Sapphira. It emphasizes that she entered the gathering unaware of her husband’s demise or the judgment that had taken place. The three-hour delay also highlights the certainty of God’s judgment and the opportunity for repentance that was not taken.
Biblical connections
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not in keeping back part of the proceeds from the sale of their property, but in conspiring to lie about it to the apostles and the church, pretending to give the full amount. This act was a test of the Spirit of the Lord. The immediate judgment that fell on Ananias and then on Sapphira served to purify the early church and instill a profound reverence for God’s holiness, as Acts 5:11 records that “great fear came upon all the church.”
Application
This passage carries several important themes and lessons:
Honesty and integrity: Ananias and Sapphira’s sin was not in withholding the money but in lying about it. Their deceit demonstrated a lack of honesty and integrity before God and the community.
The fear of God: The swift judgment and immediate consequences that befell Ananias and Sapphira instilled a deep sense of reverence and fear of God’s holiness and justice.
The presence of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowered Peter to discern the deceit and pronounce judgment. This event highlights the importance of sincerity and transparency in our relationship with God, who sees the intents of our hearts.
The purity of the early Church: Acts 5:7 underscores the early Christian community’s commitment to holiness and integrity. It serves as a warning against hypocrisy and the danger of undermining the purity of the Church.
Reflection
Ultimately, Acts 5:7 and the entire account of Ananias and Sapphira demonstrate the seriousness of deceit and the importance of living in honesty and reverence before God. It serves as a reminder that God values integrity and calls His followers to a life of sincerity and truthfulness.
