Acts 5:8

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Acts 5:8 (KJV)

Context

Acts 5:8 records Peter’s question to Sapphira and her reply. The scene follows the death of her husband, Ananias, who had lied about the price of a piece of land they sold. The early church practiced voluntary sharing, with believers selling property and laying the proceeds at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:34-37). Ananias and Sapphira conspired to keep back part of the price while pretending to give all. Their sin was not in retaining some money but in lying about it to God.

Meaning

Peter’s question, “Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?” gives Sapphira a clear opportunity to tell the truth. She confirms the same false amount, joining her husband’s deception. The verse shows that recorded speech reveals decisions and responses, and that keeping the correct words with the correct speaker is essential. Sapphira’s agreement with her husband demonstrates the danger of complicity in sin.

Biblical connections

The narrative contrasts with Barnabas, who sold a field and laid the full price at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:36-37). Peter later notes that the land was in their power before it was sold (Acts 5:4), showing that the sin was not in selling or keeping but in lying about the proceeds. The event underscores God’s holiness and the seriousness of deceit within the community of believers, and it highlights the apostles’ Spirit-filled discernment to detect hidden sin.

Application

Readers should ask what the speech accomplishes in the scene and how the surrounding narrative evaluates it. The passage calls believers to examine their motives and to be honest in their dealings, knowing that God sees all. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of integrity and truthfulness before God and the church, and of the need for purity in the community.

Reflection

The fear that fell upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things (Acts 5:11) indicates the impact of this event on the early Christian community. This narrative is not merely a historical account but carries ongoing lessons for the church about holiness, honesty, and the fear of the Lord.