Acts 5:2
What does Acts 5:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:2 means
Here the couple conspires to hold back part of the sale price while presenting the remainder as if it were the whole. The act is not that they retained money, but that they misrepresented their gift. Their deceit is calculated: both spouses agree, and the gift is laid at the apostles’ feet, seeking public recognition. The verse underscores how religious acts can be used to seek honor while hiding truth. The story exposes hypocrisy that threatens the integrity of the church’s fellowship. The issue is not compulsory communism, but honesty and fear of God. God sees the heart behind every offering, beyond the outward display.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And kept back part of the price, his wife having knowledge of it, and took the rest and put it at the feet of the Apostles.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and did keep back of the price--his wife also knowing--and having brought a certain part, at the feet of the apostles he laid <FI>it<Fi> .
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And by fraud kept back part of the price of the land, his wife being privy thereunto: and bringing a certain part of it, laid it at the feet of the apostles.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and put aside for himself part of the price, [his] wife also being privy to it; and having brought a certain part, laid it at the feet of the apostles.
Context
After introducing the couple, Luke immediately discloses the deception that underlies their act. This prepares the reader to understand Peter’s penetrating rebuke in the next verses. The setting—laying money at the apostles’ feet—mirrors sincere gifts in the prior chapter, highlighting the contrast. What looked like generosity now becomes the stage for confronting falsehood. Next, Peter will diagnose the sin as a lie against the Holy Spirit, showing that dishonesty within the church is ultimately against God, not merely against people. This verse is the hinge that turns a seemingly ordinary donation into a moment of divine testing.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 4:37
having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
- John 12:6
Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the bag took away what was put therein.
- Malachi 1:14
But cursed be the deceiver, who hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a blemished thing; for I am a great King, saith Jehovah of hosts, and my name is terrible among the Gentiles.
- Matthew 6:2
When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.
- 2 Peter 2:14
having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; enticing unstedfast souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of cursing;
- Matthew 23:5
But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
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