Acts 5:2

2 and he kept back for himself [some] of the proceeds, and [his] wife was aware of [it]. And he brought a certain part [and] placed [it] at the feet 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 Now a certain man {named} Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

2 and he kept back for himself [some] of the proceeds, and [his] wife was aware of [it]. And he brought a certain part [and] placed [it] at the feet of the apostles.

3 But Peter said, "Ananias, for what [reason] has Satan filled your heart, [that] you lied to the Holy Spirit and kept back for yourself [some] of the proceeds of the piece of land?

4 [When it] remained to you, did it not remain [yours]? And [when it] was sold, was it at your disposal? How [is it] that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people, but to God!"

5 And [when] Ananias heard these words, he fell down [and] died. And great fear came on all those who heard about [it].

Footnotes

• [a] *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [b] *Here the participle "was aware of" in this genitive absolute construction has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style
• [c] *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("brought") has been translated as a finite verb
• [d] *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation