📖 Acts — Chapter 5 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Acts 5:2 And Rkept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, Rwhy hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Acts 5:4 Whiles it remained, Rwas 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.
Acts 5:5 And Ananias Rhearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
Acts 5:6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
Acts 5:7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
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 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, RHow 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.
Acts 5:10 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.
Acts 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and Rthey were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
Acts 5:13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: Rbut the people magnified them.
Acts 5:14 And Rbelievers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Acts 5:15 Insomuch that Rthey brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Acts 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, Rbringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Acts 5:17 Then Rthe high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
Acts 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
Acts 5:19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
Acts 5:20 Go, Rstand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
Acts 5:21 And when they heard that, they Rentered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Acts 5:22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
Acts 5:23 Saying, RThe prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
Acts 5:24 Now when the high priest and Rthe captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
Acts 5:25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
Acts 5:26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they Rset them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Acts 5:28 Saying, RDid not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:30 The RGod of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Acts 5:31 Him Rhath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 5:32 And we Rare his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Acts 5:33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and Rtook counsel to slay them.
Acts 5:34 Then Rstood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
Acts 5:35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, Rtake heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
Acts 5:36 For before these days rose up Theudas, Rboasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
Acts 5:37 After this man rose up RJudas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
Acts 5:38 And now I say unto you, RRefrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
Acts 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even Rto fight against God.
Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and Rwhen they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, Rrejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Acts 5:42 And Rdaily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 5:1–11 — Deception in a gift is exposed
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Ananias and Sapphira misrepresent a retained portion as their whole gift. Peter distinguishes voluntary ownership from the lie, and their deaths bring great fear upon the church and those who hear.
Key Truth: Keep generosity truthful rather than using it to create an appearance.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “But a ____ man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,” (Acts 5:1)
Find it in Acts 5:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and …” (Acts 5:6)
Find it in Acts 5:6 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And great ____ came upon all the church, and upon as many as …” (Acts 5:11)
Find it in Acts 5:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 5:12–26 — Ministry continues despite imprisonment
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Signs and shared gathering accompany the apostles’ work, while jealous leaders imprison them. An angel releases them to speak in the temple, and officers bring them again without violence because they fear the people.
Key Truth: Continue faithful service without confusing opposition with failure.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And laid their ____ on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.” (Acts 5:18)
Find it in Acts 5:18 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “But the ____ of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and …” (Acts 5:19)
Find it in Acts 5:19 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom …” (Acts 5:25)
Find it in Acts 5:25 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 5:27–42 — The council hears testimony and Gamaliel’s caution
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Peter and the apostles affirm obedience to God and witness to the risen Jesus. Gamaliel advises against a fight with God; after beating and warning, the apostles rejoice and continue teaching Jesus Christ.
Key Truth: Keep witness faithful while entrusting its outcome to God.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And when they had ____ them, they set them before the council: and the high …” (Acts 5:27)
Find it in Acts 5:27 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and ____ , We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
Find it in Acts 5:29 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not …” (Acts 5:42)
Find it in Acts 5:42 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Exodus 20:16 — The command against false witness offers a related passage for truthful conduct.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What claim or appearance needs to become more honest?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Acts 5:1–11 (Deception in a gift is exposed) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Acts 5:12–26 (Ministry continues despite imprisonment) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Acts 5:27–42 (The council hears testimony and Gamaliel’s caution) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What priority explains the apostles' response to the council's order?
5. How do the apostles interpret the shame they suffer?
Notes
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