Acts 5:7
What does Acts 5:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:7 means
About three hours later, Sapphira enters, not knowing what happened. The time gap indicates that the event was not prearranged by the apostles. Her ignorance provides a fair test of her own heart. The verse heightens dramatic tension, inviting the question: will she tell the truth when given the chance, or maintain the deception? Her entrance shows that God’s dealings are personal; each participant faces the truth. The separation in time also illustrates patience and the opportunity for confession, even as God directs events. The narrative now focuses on Sapphira’s response, which will reveal whether she shares her husband’s hidden plan.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And about three hours after, his wife, having no knowledge of what had taken place, came in.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it came to pass, about three hours after, that his wife, not knowing what hath happened, came in,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass about three hours afterwards, that his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
Context
With Ananias buried, the scene resets. Luke draws attention to Sapphira’s lack of knowledge, preparing the reader for Peter’s careful inquiry. This ensures that her judgment, if it comes, is clearly just and not a consequence of ignorance. The next verse shows Peter asking a pointed question about the sale price, giving her a direct opportunity to be truthful. The flow mirrors but does not simply repeat Ananias’s case, emphasizing individual accountability. The parallel structure will soon confirm the shared nature of the deception and the consistent holiness of God’s response to it within the church.
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