Acts 5:2

2 With his wife's knowledge, he withheld some of the proceeds from the sale. He brought the rest and placed it in the care and under the authority of the apostles.

Acts 5:2 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 5:2

And kept back part of the price
At which the possession was sold; he reserved it for his own use, after he had given out that he sold it for the service of the church:

his wife also being privy to it;
to this private reserve:

and brought a certain part;
whether the greater part, or an equal part, half of it, or a lesser part; some little part of it, so the phrase seems to signify, is not certain:

and laid it at the apostles' feet;
as the rest did, thereby to make a show of charity, and cover the deceit.

Acts 5:2 In-Context

1 However, a man named Ananias, along with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.

2 With his wife's knowledge, he withheld some of the proceeds from the sale. He brought the rest and placed it in the care and under the authority of the apostles.

3 Peter asked, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has influenced you to lie to the Holy Spirit by withholding some of the proceeds from the sale of your land?

4 Wasn't that property yours to keep? After you sold it, wasn't the money yours to do with whatever you wanted? What made you think of such a thing? You haven't lied to other people but to God!"

5 When Ananias heard these words, he dropped dead. Everyone who heard this conversation was terrified.