“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?”
The full verse · Acts 5:4 · KJV
Whiles it , was it thine ? after it was , was it thine ? hast thou ? thou unto , unto .
Asked by
Peter: the apostle confronting Ananias over the money laid at the apostles' feet (Acts 5:2-3)
Asked to
Ananias of Jerusalem: the believer who kept back part of the price of his land and laid the rest at the apostles' feet (Acts 5:1-2)
The Scene
Peter continues his rebuke of Ananias, who has laid only part of the price of his land at the apostles' feet (Acts 5:2-3).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionPeter's three questions take away every excuse. The first two show that Ananias was under no pressure: the land was his before it was sold, and the money was his after. Barnes says, "This place proves that there was no obligation imposed on the disciples to sell their property." Gill calls such selling "a pure act of liberality, and what was not enjoined by the apostles." The third question goes to the heart: if nothing forced him, why did he plan this? Matthew Henry notes that though Satan filled his heart, Ananias is said to have conceived it in his own heart, "which shows that we cannot extenuate our sins by laying the fault of them upon the devil."
The Response
What Scripture recordsPeter answers the matter himself: "thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God" (Acts 5:4). Ananias says nothing. "Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things" (Acts 5:5). The young men carried him out and buried him (Acts 5:6).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsThe believers in Jerusalem "had all things common," and many sold lands or houses to provide for those in need (Acts 4:32, 34-35). Peter's questions show this sharing was voluntary. The KJV "in thine own power" means at your own disposal, as the ESV says.
Barnes explains "not lied unto men" as meaning "it is not your main and chief offence that you have attempted to deceive people"; the offense was eminently against God, because Ananias had professedly devoted the gift to Him. Compared with Acts 5:3, where the lie is "to the Holy Ghost," Gill concludes that the Holy Ghost is "truly and properly God."
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThese questions show what God values in giving: honesty and freedom. God did not need Ananias' land, and the church did not demand it. Ananias was free to keep all of it. What God would not accept was a lie told in His presence.
The last question also shows how God sees sin. Satan filled Ananias' heart (Acts 5:3), yet Ananias "conceived this thing" in his own heart (Acts 5:4). Both are true. Temptation is real, but the choice is ours. And because the lie was told to God, Peter says, it was finally God that Ananias had to answer to.
Look Closer
Why did Peter ask whether the land and money were Ananias' own?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord, You see what I conceive in my heart before anyone else does; what would honest giving to You look like for me right now?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- Peter reminded Ananias that he was free to keep his money. Why might feeling free make it easier to be honest with God?
- When have you seen someone's simple, honest generosity encourage others more than a big show would have?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Your giving to God is meant to be free. No one could force Ananias to sell or to give, and no one should force you. Give what you have decided in your heart to give, and give it honestly.
This passage also reminds you not to blame others, or even the devil, for choices you make in your own heart. Temptation is real, but Peter still asked Ananias, "Why hast thou conceived this thing?" This does not mean every failure brings sudden judgment; this event served as a warning to the whole church (Acts 5:11). Scripture's own application: 2 Corinthians 9:7
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”
“Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?”
“How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?”