Acts 5:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Whiles 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Peter affirms that the land and its price were entirely Ananias's to keep or to give. The offense was never the money; it was a premeditated lie told to God.
What Does Acts 5:4 Mean?
Peter's questions establish that the church's sharing was voluntary at every step: unsold, the land belonged to Ananias; sold, the money remained in his power. No one demanded anything. The deceit was 'conceived' in his heart, a plan formed in private before it was ever performed in public.
Then comes the sentence that gives the story its weight: 'thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.' What verse 3 calls a lie to the Holy Ghost, Peter here calls a lie to God, for God himself is present among his people. The Lord loves a giver who is free and cheerful (2 Corinthians 9:7); he asks not for everything we have, but for truth in everything we offer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 5:4
What does Acts 5:4 mean?
Peter affirms that the land and its price were entirely Ananias's to keep or to give. The offense was never the money; it was a premeditated lie told to God.