Acts 5:4
What does Acts 5:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:4 means
Peter reminds Ananias that the property and proceeds were his to manage; no one compelled him to give any specific amount. This removes any excuse and shows the sin is deliberate deception, conceived in the heart. Peter then states the offense plainly: Ananias has not lied to men but to God. This affirms the deity of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the prior verse and underscores the seriousness of sin within the covenant community. God esteems truthfulness over showy sacrifice. The heart is the true altar, and God will not be mocked by outward forms that hide inward falsehood. The verse presses accountability before the all-seeing God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949While you had it, was it not your property? and after you had given it in exchange, was it not still in your power? how has this purpose come into your mind? you have been false, not to men, but to God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862while it remained, did it not remain thine? and having been sold, in thy authority was it not? why <FI>is<Fi> it that thou didst put in thy heart this thing? thou didst not lie to men, but to God;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Whilst it remained, did it not remain to thee? And after it was sold, was it not in thy power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890While it remained did it not remain to thee? and sold, was [it not] in thine own power? Why is it that thou hast purposed this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but toGod.
Context
Peter’s probing continues, distinguishing freewill generosity from fraudulent pretense. This clarification matters because it prevents misreading the church’s sharing as coerced. By showing the freedom Ananias had, Peter reveals the intentional nature of the lie. The declaration that the lie is to God heightens the gravity just before judgment falls. The sequence—exposure, clarification, verdict—prepares the reader for the immediate and shocking consequence in the next verse. The flow emphasizes that God himself guards the holiness of his church, a truth that will produce great fear among all who hear, as the narrative now turns to swift judgment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 9:5
Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
- 1 Chronicles 29:9
Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Jehovah: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
- Exodus 35:29
The children of Israel brought a freewill-offering unto Jehovah; every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Jehovah had commanded to be made by Moses.
- 1 Chronicles 29:3
Moreover also, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure of mine own of gold and silver, I give it unto the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
- 1 Corinthians 8:8
But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.
- Isaiah 59:4
None sueth in righteousness, and none pleadeth in truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
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