Now a man named Ananias, together with
his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's
full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but
brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.
Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan
has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and
have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?
Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold,
wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such
a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."
When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And
great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young
men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and
buried him.
About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing
what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price
you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said,
"that is the price."
Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test
the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your
husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." At that moment she fell down at his feet and
died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her
out and buried her beside her husband.
Great fear seized
the whole church and all who heard about these events.