Ananias and Sapphira

In the Jerusalem church, everything is shared: those who own fields or houses sell them and lay the proceeds at the apostles’ feet. Barnabas sells a field this way. Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sells a piece of property, but keeps back part of the price, with her full knowledge, and lays the rest at the apostles’ feet. Peter confronts him: “Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?” The land and its price were his to keep: “Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Ananias falls down and dies; great fear comes on all who hear, and some young men bury him. About three hours later, Sapphira comes in, knowing nothing, and repeats the same lie. She falls at Peter’s feet and dies as well. Great fear comes upon the whole church.