Acts 5:3-4
What is written? (ESV)
But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.
What does it say?
Peter asked Ananias why Satan had filled his heart by lying to the Holy Spirit about keeping back some of the proceeds from the land. He told him that while the land was theirs, and even when it was sold, the asset was theirs to do as they wished. But instead, they misrepresented their offering and through their evil deed not only lied to men but to God.
What is its immediate context?
There is also now a group of believers meeting in Jerusalem from the converts on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and they are sharing of their own to help others among them that are without (4:32-37). Ananias and Sapphira sold some property (vs 1).
How Acts 5:3-4 is applied across Bible answers
Did Abram lie about Sarai?
Ananias and Sapphira lied about how much they made from the property they had sold and tried to keep some back for themselves. Peter is pointing out that they could have kept the property, or even kept some for themselves, but instead, they lied to God about it.
