Acts 5:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ananias secretly keeps back part of the sale money, with Sapphira's full knowledge, and presents the remainder as though it were the whole.
What Does Acts 5:2 Mean?
The act is a joint one: 'his wife also being privy to it.' Laying the money at the apostles' feet copies exactly what Barnabas had just done (Acts 4:37), so the gift is staged to look like total surrender while a portion stays hidden.
The sin here is not keeping money, which Peter says was their right (verse 4), but purchasing a reputation for sacrifice at a discounted price. The verb for 'kept back' is the same one used of Achan, who secretly took what was devoted to God (Joshua 7). God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6), and a gift designed to deceive him is no gift at all.
Acts 5:2 in the Original Language
nosphizomai (νοσφίζομαι), 'kept back' -- to secretly set apart for oneself; the verb used in the Greek Old Testament of Achan taking what was devoted (Joshua 7:1).
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 5:2
What does Acts 5:2 mean?
Ananias secretly keeps back part of the sale money, with Sapphira's full knowledge, and presents the remainder as though it were the whole.