Bible Commentary

Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying [her] forth, buried [her] by her husband. 10. Then fell she down straightway at his feet ] Close to the place where the money, for which they had sinned, had … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 5:10”

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and shall carry thee out. 9. ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord ] To try whether … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 5:9”

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 8. And Peter answered unto her ] This use of the English verb answer, where no question has preceded and often where no remark has gone before, is not uncommon in the Bible … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 5:8”

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 7. the space of three hours after ] Time enough for the bestowal of the dead body, but yet so short that the news of what had befallen her husband had not reached Sapphira. It … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 5:7”

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried [him] out, and buried [him.] 6. And the young men arose ] (Lit. the younger.) Some have suggested that these were persons connected with the Church whose business it was to take charge of funerals. But it seems unlikely that, at a time when assistance … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 5:6”

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 5. And Ananias hearing these words fell down ] Smitten through the power of that Spirit whom he had intended to deceive. Here is no description of a death from apoplexy or … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 5:5”

While 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. 4. Whiles it remained, was it not thine own?] The verb in the original is repeated. Whiles … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 5:4”

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? 3. But Peter said, Ananias, why, &c.] The interrogative particle is of a strengthened form in the original, and seems to indicate that there had been a possibility … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 5:3”

And kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy [to it,] and brought a certain part, and laid [it] at the apostles’ feet. 2. and kept back part of the price ] i.e. while at the same time they professed to be bringing the whole sum into the common fund. The portion … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 5:2”

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 1. But a certain man ] It is not by way of contrast that the story of Ananias is put side by side with that of Barnabas, therefore much stress is not to be laid on the word But. Act 5:36 of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 5:1”