51 But a man named Ananias , with his wife Sapphira , sold a piece of property , 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge , and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet . 3 But Peter said , "Ananias , why e has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land ? 4 "While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold , was it not under your control ? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart ? You have not lied to men but to God ." 5 And as he heard these words , Ananias fell down and breathed his last ; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. 7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours , and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened . 8 And Peter responded to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price ?" And she said , "Yes , that was the price ." 9 Then Peter said to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test ? Behold , the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door , and they will carry you out as well." 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last , and the young men came in and found her dead , and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 5:1-10
Commentary on Acts 5:1-11
(Read Acts 5:1-11)
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was, that they were ambitious of being thought eminent disciples, when they were not true disciples. Hypocrites may deny themselves, may forego their worldly advantage in one instance, with a prospect of finding their account in something else. They were covetous of the wealth of the world, and distrustful of God and his providence. They thought they might serve both God and mammon. They thought to deceive the apostles. The Spirit of God in Peter discerned the principle of unbelief reigning in the heart of Ananias. But whatever Satan might suggest, he could not have filled the heart of Ananias with this wickedness had he not been consenting. The falsehood was an attempt to deceive the Spirit of truth, who so manifestly spoke and acted by the apostles. The crime of Ananias was not his retaining part of the price of the land; he might have kept it all, had he pleased; but his endeavouring to impose upon the apostles with an awful lie, from a desire to make a vain show, joined with covetousness. But if we think to put a cheat upon God, we shall put a fatal cheat upon our own souls. How sad to see those relations who should quicken one another to that which is good, hardening one another in that which is evil! And this punishment was in reality mercy to vast numbers. It would cause strict self-examination, prayer, and dread of hypocrisy, covetousness, and vain-glory, and it should still do so. It would prevent the increase of false professors. Let us learn hence how hateful falsehood is to the God of truth, and not only shun a direct lie, but all advantages from the use of doubtful expressions, and double meaning in our speech.