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Acts 5
5:1-11
What did it mean to keep back part of the price of the land?
[5:2]
Luke wrote that Annanias and Sapphira kept back part of the price of the land. They sold a piece of land and gave the money to the apostles. However, they did not give all of the money to the apostles. It was not wrong for them to do this. However, they made the apostles think they gave all of the money to them. They wanted to be honored for doing this. This was wrong.
What did Peter mean about Satan filling Ananias’ heart?
[5:3]
Peter said that Satan filled Annaias’ heart. Peter said that Satan wanted Ananias to lie to the apostles. Satan put the idea for doing the wrong thing into the heart of Ananias. He made Annanias think about doing the wrong thing.
See: Satan (The Devil); Heart (Metaphor); Apostle
How did Ananias lie to the Holy Spirit?
[5:3]
Annanias lied to the Holy Spirit. Some scholars think that when Ananias lied to the apostles, this was the same as lying to the Holy Spirit. This was because the Holy Spirit had created Christians. Other scholars think Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit because he lied to the apostles who have the Holy Spirit in them.
See: Hebrews 4:12-13
See: Holy Spirit; Apostle; Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
How did Peter know that Ananias lied?
[5:3]
Luke wrote that Peter knew Annanias lied to the apostles. Luke does not write how Peter knew this. Some scholars thought there was someone told Peter. Other scholars think the Holy Spirit told Peter in some way.
See: Apostle; Holy Spirit
Why did Peter write, “You have not lied to men but to God?
[5:4]
Scholars think when Peter said, “you have not lied to men but to God,” he wanted people to know that Annanias lied to the apostles and to God. This was because Ananias gave and offering to God when he gave money to the apostles.
See: Apostle; Offer (Offering); Sacrifice
How did someone test the Spirit of the Lord?
[5:4]
How did someone test the Spirit of the Lord. Annanias and Sapphira tested the Holy Spirit when they lied to the apostles. When the did this it also tested the Holy Spirit. This is because they did not think the Holy Spirit knew what they were doing.
See: Holy Spirit; Test; Apostle
When speaking to Sapphira, why did Peter say, “they will carry you out”?
[5:9]
When speaking to Sapphira, Paul said, “they will carry you out.” Some scholars think that because Peter watched Ananias die for lying to the Holy Spirit, he also thought Sapphira was also going to die. Other scholars think the Holy Spirit helped Peter to know that Sapphira was going to die for deceiving the Holy Spirit. Peter was not judging them. God judged Ananias and Sapphira.
See: Holy Spirit; Judge (Judgment)
How did great fear come upon the whole church?
[5:11]
Great fear came upon the whole church. He was speaking about a certain group of Christians. Scholars think the Christians suddenly became afraid because God quickly judged Anania and Sapphira.
See: Church
5:12-16
What were “signs and wonders”?
[5:12]
See: Sign
Why were the people afraid of joining the apostles in the Temple area?
[5:12]
People were afraid of joining the apostles in the Temple area. Scholars think the people were afraid of what happened to Ananias and Sapphira or that they feared the Jewish leaders. The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus and they arrested the apostles.
Why did people hope that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them?
[5:15]
People hoped that Peter’s shadow would fall on them. This is a metaphor. Scholars think that because many signs and wonders were being done through the apostles, the people hoped that Peter would heal them. They think the people believed that if the crowds were too large, that even if Peter’s shadow crossed over a sick person, they would be healed. Luke wanted people to know that the people who were brought before the apostles were all healed.
5:17-21
Why did the high priest and Sadducees arrest the apostles?
[5:18]
The high priest and Sadducees arrested the apostles. Some scholars think the high priest and the Sadducees were filled with “jealousy”(ζῆλος/g2205) because many people believed the things the apostles taught about Jesus (see 13:45). The Jewish leaders believed the apostles taught the wrong things so they arrested the apostles. Other scholars think that the Jewish leaders really wanted to protect the Temple, the Law of Moses, and what they believed about God. The Sadducees zealously protected the things they taught would honor God.
What is an angel?
[5:19]
See: Angel
What were “all the words of this life”?
[5:20]
The angel of the Lord told the apostles to speak “all the words of this life.” He wanted them to preach the gospel and help people to know how to be at peace with God by believing in Jesus.
See: Angel; Apostle; Preach (Preacher); Gospel
Who were “all the elders” and “the council”?
[5:21]
Scholars think the assembly, which was the council and all the elders was made up of the Sadducees, the Pharisees, and even Gamiel, an honorable teacher of the Law of Moses (see: Acts 5:34).
See: Jewish Council (Sanhedrin); Sadducees; Pharisees; Law of Moses
5:22-26
Why did the Captain of the Temple guard and the guards fear that the people might stone them when they arrested the apostles?
[5:24]
The people thought the apostles were great because of the things they did. They did many miracles and healed many people (see: Acts 5:12-16). The guards thought the people would begin to throw stones at them if they were to hurt the apostles in any way. For this reason the guards feared the people.
5:27-32
What was meant by the words, “to bring this man’s blood upon us”?
[5:28]
The words, “to bring this man’s blood upon us” meant to make someone responsible for a death. They were willing to be the reason people died. Perhaps the Jewish leaders were willing to have people blame them for Jesus dying.
Why did God exalt Jesus to his right hand?
[5:31]
In ancient times, a person on the right hand side of the king was greatly honored. The kind gave this permission to do things for the king. Some scholars think Luke wrote this so that people would know that God gave Jesus permission to do all things and power to do anything. Other scholars think Luke wrote this so people would know that Jesus should be honored.
See: Psalm 110:1-8
See: Exalt; Right Hand
How was the Holy Spirit a witness to these things?
[5:32]
The Holy Spirit was a witness to things. Some scholars think the Holy Spirit was causing people to understand the things the apostles taught. Other scholars think the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to perform miracles to prove to people that they were saying true things about Jesus.
See: Holy Spirit; Witness (Martyr); Apostle; Miracle
5:33-42
What kind of beating did the apostles receive from the Sanhedrin?
[5:40]
The apostle were beaten because of the Sanhedrin. Scholars think the apostles were beaten with whips. A whip is made from leather strips. Other scholars think the apostles were beaten with rods In ancient Israel, they would not hit someone 40 times because of something taught in the Law of Moses (see: Deuteronomy 25:3). Instead, they hit someone 39 times.
See: Apostle; Jewish Council (Sanhedrin); Law of Moses
Why did the apostles rejoice to be counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus?
[5:41]
The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they believed they were suffering to honor Jesus.