Bible Study Differing Interpretations of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11

[tobypearson]

This video explores the story of Ananias and Sapphira. This story is one of the most uncomfortable in the Bible.
A couple of interesting interpretations are that Peter killed Ananias and Sapphira, or that the story is a Dark Comedy.

What do you think?

 

[JLB]

This video explores the story of Ananias and Sapphira. This story is one of the most uncomfortable in the Bible.
A couple of interesting interpretations are that Peter killed Ananias and Sapphira, or that the story is a Dark Comedy.

What do you think?

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Acts 5:1-6

There is nothing in the text that indicates Peter killed him.



JLB

 

[for_his_glory]

Go back to what was written in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 and Luke 22:3 for this is why Ananias and Sapphira died as Satan had entered in them and they lied to God which caused their death as they blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, which is the unpardonable sin that leads to death. Mark 3:29

Act 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Fear came upon the church as they saw the judgement of God in the death of this man and his wife as Satan entered them, like he did Judas, and they tried to deceive God by their own greed as they blasphemed against the Holy Spirit while they were members of the early church.

We will see this again during the time of God's great tribulation when He will destroy the beast and it's false prophet casting them alive into the lake of fire. All who follow after these false prophets will Jesus slain by only the words He speaks of their destruction, Rev 19:11-21 , for even now are there many false prophets deceiving the very elect of God if possible.

 

[tobypearson]

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Acts 5:1-6

There is nothing in the text that indicates Peter killed him.



JLB

Indications:
(1) It never says Ananias and Sapphira promised to give over all their money, or lied. Peter is the only speaker.
(2) Peter, in the narrative doesn't always get it right (cutting off someone's ear)
(3) In Biblical narrative when God kills someone, it usually says God killed them (Gen 38, 2 Sam 6 etc.) - it doesn't say God killed them either
(4) 2 early church interpreters read the text and came to the conclusion that Peter had them killed himself. Chrysostom, who was still team Peter anyway. And Porphyry who was critical of Peter.
(5) Peter did not follow proper burial customs by burying them so quickly
(6) Peter announced Ananias' death which may be an indication that he was ready to kill her.

It may or may not have been the case for Luke. Maybe Luke was being deliberately vague to leave it up to the reader. But it's certainly possible from the text alone and its context.

 

[JLB]

Indications:
(1) It never says Ananias and Sapphira promised to give over all their money, or lied. Peter is the only speaker.

Luke is recounting what Peter said by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.


What specifically in the text indicates that Peter took it upon himself to kill Ananias?




JLB

 

[JLB]

early church interpreters read the text and came to the conclusion that Peter had them killed himself.

People interpret the scriptures and come up with many different things.

 

[christian1724]

(1) It never says Ananias and Sapphira promised to give over all their money, or lied. Peter is the only speaker.

It does say that Ananias 'lied to the Holy Ghost':

Acts 5:3 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?

(2) Peter, in the narrative doesn't always get it right (cutting off someone's ear)

I don't think that it is necessary for Peter to 'always get it right'. Also, the implication in your statement is that Peter is the cause for his/her death. I don't think that is the case.

(4) 2 early church interpreters read the text and came to the conclusion that Peter had them killed himself. Chrysostom, who was still team Peter anyway. And Porphyry who was critical of Peter.

I guess even back then people pondered over the details of this story with differing results.

"team Peter" - LOL. Which team did Jesus root for?

(5) Peter did not follow proper burial customs by burying them so quickly

Is there enough information here to know whether their burials were proper or not? IMO there is not.

(6) Peter announced Ananias' death which may be an indication that he was ready to kill her.

Again, the implication in your statement is that Peter is preparing himself to kill 'again'. Again, I don't think that is the case.

Sounds like someone is not on 'team Peter' though - lol.

 

[Northman]

(2) Peter, in the narrative doesn't always get it right (cutting off someone's ear)

Post-Pentecost-Peter(lol I been waiting to use that one) is not the same guy you got to know while Jesus was still with them.