[In contrast to Barnabas and many others who lovingly "laid their gifts at the apostles' feet," see , a married couple appears to do the same thing. But something is not quite right. The unusual Greek word , which means "to set aside for oneself," is used here and in the Greek translation of the Old Testament in the story of how Achan and his family tried to steal what belonged to God, see . The stories have many similarities, and both occur when God has just begun a new phase for his people.]
But a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property [a piece of land, see ].
Then Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart (gained control of your thoughts and actions) so that you tried to deceive the Holy Spirit by withholding part of the money for the land?
When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. [Here a medical term is used for "breathing out" and dying; it is used only here, in , and in .] Great fear came upon all who heard of what had happened.
