Ananias and Sapphira were a married couple in the early church at Jerusalem who were struck dead by God for lying to the Holy Spirit. Their account is found in Acts 5:1–11 and serves as a solemn warning about hypocrisy and deceit in the church.
At that time, many believers were selling possessions and giving the proceeds to the apostles for the needs of others (Acts 4:34–35). Ananias and Sapphira also sold a possession, but they conspired to keep part of the money for themselves while pretending to give the full amount to the church. Ananias brought a portion of the proceeds and laid it at the apostles’ feet, as if it were the whole amount.
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronted him: “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?” Peter explained that the land was his to sell or keep, and the money was at his disposal, but the sin was in lying not to men but to God (Acts 5:3–4). Upon hearing this, Ananias fell down and died. Great fear came upon all who heard it, and young men carried him out and buried him.
About three hours later, Sapphira came in, unaware of what had happened. Peter asked her whether the amount given was the full price. She confirmed the lie, and Peter said, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Immediately she fell down dead as well, and was buried beside her husband (Acts 5:7–10).
The passage concludes, “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things” (Acts 5:11).
The account of Ananias and Sapphira illustrates God’s holiness and the seriousness of sin within the body of Christ. It underscores that God sees the heart, and that deceit, especially under the pretense of piety, provokes divine judgment. It also affirms that the Holy Spirit is fully God, worthy of reverence and truth.
