Ananias and his wife Saphira, for their sacrilege, at Peter's word fall down dead, to the great terror of the rest. 12 By the Apostles' miracles, not only the number, but also their faith so increaseth, that they seek in the streets to the very shadow of Peter, the towns also about bringing their diseased to Jerusalem. 17 The Rulers again oppose themselves, but in vain. 19 For out of prison an Angel delivereth them, bidding them preach openly to all: 21 and in their Council Peter is nothing afraid of their big words: 34 Yea Gamaliel being one of themselves casteth a doubt among them, telleth the matter be of God, and therefore impossible to be dissolved. 40 Finally, the Apostles being scourged by them, count it an honour, and cease no day from preaching.Ananias and his wife Saphira, for their sacrilege, at Peters word fall downe dead, to the great terrour of the rest. 12 By the Apostles miracles, not onely the number, but also their faith so increaseth, that they seeke in the streates to the very shadow of Peter, the townes also about bringing their diseased to Hierusalem. 17 The Rulers againe oppose them selues, but in vaine. 19 For out of prison an Angel deliuereth them, bidding them preach openly to al: 21 and in their Counsel Peter & nothing afraid of their bigge vvordes: 34 Yea Gamaliel being one of them selues casteth a doubt among them, telleth the matter be of God, and therfore impossible to be dissolued. 40 Finally, the Apostles being scourged by them, count it an honour, and ceasse no day from preaching.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Saphira his wife sold a piece of land,BVT a certaine man named Ananias, vvith Saphira his vvife sold a peece of land,Vir autem quidam nomine Ananias, cum Saphira uxore suo vendidit agrum,
2and defrauded of the price of the land, his wife being conscia: secretly aware of it, complicit thereto: and bringing a certain portion, laid it at the feet of the Apostles.and defrauded of the price of the land, his vvife being priuie thereto: and bringing a certaine portion, laide it at the feete of the Apostles.¶et fraudavit de pretio agri, conscia uxore sua : et afferens partem quamdam, ad pedes Apostolorum posuit.
3And Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan tempted thy heart, that thou shouldest lie to the holy Ghost, and defraud of the price of the land?And Peter said, Ananias, vvhy hath Satan tempted thy hart, that thou shouldest lie to the holy Ghost, and defraude of the price of the land?¶Dixit autem Petrus : Anania, cur tentavit Satanas cor tuum, mentiri te Spiritui Sancto, et fraudare de pretio agri ?
4Remaining, did it not remain to thee: and being sold, was it not in thy power? Why hast thou put this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.Remaining, did it not remaine to thee: and being sold, vvas it not in thy povver? Vvhy hast thou put this thing in thy hart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.¶nonne manens tibi manebat, et venundatum in tua erat potestate ? quare posuisti in corde tuo hanc rem ? non es mentitus hominibus, sed Deo.
5And Ananias hearing these words, fell down, and gave up the ghost. And there came great fear upon all that heard it.And Ananias hearing these vvordes, fel dovvne, and gaue vp the ghost. And there came great feare vpon al that heard it.Audiens autem Ananias hæc verba, cecidit, et expiravit. Et factus est timor magnus super omnes qui audierunt.
6And young men rising up, removed him, and bearing him forth buried him.And yong men rising vp, remoued him, and bearing him forth buried him.Surgentes autem juvenes amoverunt eum, et efferentes sepelierunt.
7And it was the space as it were of three hours, and his wife, not knowing what was chanced, came in.And it vvas the space as it vvere of three houres, and his vvife, not knovving vvhat vvas chaunced, came in.Factum est autem quasi horarum trium spatium, et uxor ipsius, nesciens quod factum fuerat, introivit.
8And Peter answered her, Tell me woman, whether did you sell the land for so much? But she said, Yea, for so much.And Peter ansvvered her, Tel me vvoman, vvhether did you sel the land for so much? But she said, Yea, for so much.Dixit autem ei Petrus : Dic mihi mulier, si tanti agrum vendidistis ? At illa dixit : Etiam tanti.
9And Peter unto her, Why have you agreed together to tentare: to put to the test, try, not to entice to sin the Spirit of our Lord? Behold, their feet that have buried thy husband, at the door, and they shall bear thee forth.And Peter vnto her, Vvhy haue you agreed together to tempt the Spirit of our Lord? Behold, their feete that haue buried thy husband, at the doore, and they shal beare thee forth.Petrus autem ad eam : Quid utique convenit vobis tentare Spiritum Domini ? Ecce pedes eorum qui sepelierunt virum tuum ad ostium, et efferent te.
10Forthwith she fell before his feet, and gave up the ghost. And the young men going in, found her dead: and carried her forth, and buried her by her husband.Forthvvith she fel before his feete, and gaue vp the ghost. And the yong men going in, found her dead: and caried her forth, and buried her by her husband.Confestim cecidit ante pedes ejus, et expiravit. Intrantes autem juvenes invenerunt illam mortuam : et extulerunt, et sepelierunt ad virum suum.
11And there came great fear in the whole Church, and upon all that heard these things.And there came great feare in the vvhole Church, and vpon al that heard these things.¶Et factus est timor magnus in universa ecclesia, et in omnes qui audierunt hæc.
12And by the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.And by the handes of the Apostles vvere many signes and vvonders done among the people. And they vvere al vvith one accord in Salomons porche.Per manus autem Apostolorum fiebant signa et prodigia multa in plebe. Et erant unanimiter omnes in porticu Salomonis.
13None durst join themselves unto them: but the people magnified them.none durst ioyne them selues vnto them: but the people magnified them.Ceterorum autem nemo audebat se conjungere illis : sed magnificabat eos populus.
14And the multitude of men and women that believed in our Lord, was more increased:And the multitude of men and vvomen that beleeued in our Lord, vvas more increased:Magis autem augebatur credentium in Domino multitudo virorum ac mulierum,
15so that they did bring forth the sick into the streets, and laid them in beds and couches, that when Peter came, his shadow at the least might overshadow any of them, and they all might be delivered from their infirmities.so that they did bring forth the sicke into the streates, and laid them in beddes and couches, that vvhen Peter came, his shadovv at the least might ouershadovv any of them, and they al might be deliuered from their infirmities.ita ut in plateas ejicerent infirmos, et ponerent in lectulis et grabatis, ut, veniente Petro, saltem umbra illius obumbraret quemquam illorum, et liberarentur ab infirmitatibus suis.
16And there ran together unto Jerusalem the multitude also of the cities adjoining, bringing sick persons and such as were vexed of unclean spirits: who were all cured.And there ranne together vnto Hierusalem the multitude also of the cities adioyning, bringing sicke persons and such as vvere vexed of vncleane spirits: vvho vvere al cured.Concurrebat autem et multitudo vicinarum civitatum Jerusalem, afferentes ægros, et vexatos a spiritibus immundis : qui curabantur omnes.
17And the high priest rising up, and all that were with him, which is the heresy of the Sadducees, were replenished with zeal:And the high priest rising vp, and al that vvere vvith him, vvhich is the heresie of the Sadduces, vvere replenished vvith zeale:Exsurgens autem princeps sacerdotum, et omnes qui cum illo erant (quæ est hæresis sadducæorum), repleti sunt zelo :
18laid hands upon the Apostles, and put them in the common prison.laid hands vpon the Apostles, and put them in the common prison.et injecerunt manus in Apostolos, et posuerunt eos in custodia publica.
19But an Angel of our Lord by night opening the gates of the prison, & leading them forth, said,But an Angel of our Lord by night opening the gates of the prison, & leading them forth, said,Angelus autem Domini per noctem aperiens januas carceris, et educens eos, dixit :
20Go: and standing speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.Goe: and standing speake in the temple to the people al the vvordes of this life.Ite, et stantes loquimini in templo plebi omnia verba vitæ hujus.
21Who having heard this, early in the morning entered into the temple, and taught. And the high priest coming, and they that were with him, called together the Council & all the ancients of the children of Israel: and they sent to the prison that they might be brought.Vvho hauing heard this, early in the morning entred into the temple, and taught. And the high priest comming, and they that vvere vvith him, called together the Councel & al the auncients of the children of Israel: and they sent to the prison that they might be brought.Qui cum audissent, intraverunt diluculo in templum, et docebant. Adveniens autem princeps sacerdotum, et qui cum eo erant, convocaverunt concilium, et omnes seniores filiorum Israël : et miserunt ad carcerem ut adducerentur.
22But when the ministers were come, and opening the prison, found them not: returning they told,But vvhen the ministers vvere come, and opening the prison, found them not: returning they told,Cum autem venissent ministri, et aperto carcere non invenissent illos, reversi nuntiaverunt,
23saying, The prison truly we found shut with all diligence, and the keepers standing before the gates: but opening it, we found no man within.saying, The prison truely vve found shut vvith al diligence, and the keepers standing before the gates: but opening it, vve found no man vvithin.dicentes : Carcerem quidem invenimus clausum cum omni diligentia, et custodes stantes ante januas : aperientes autem neminem intus invenimus.
24And as soon as the Magistrate of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were in doubt of them, what would befall.And as soone as the Magistrate of the temple and the cheefe priests heard these vvordes, they vvere in doubt of them, vvhat vvould befall.Ut autem audierunt hos sermones magistratus templi et principes sacerdotum, ambigebant de illis quidnam fieret.
25And there came a certain man and told them, That the men, lo, which you did put in prison, are in the temple standing, and teaching the people.And there came a certaine man and told them, That the men, loe, vvhich you did put in prison, are in the temple standing, and teaching the people.Adveniens autem quidam, nuntiavit eis : Quia ecce viri quos posuistis in carcerem, sunt in templo, stantes et docentes populum.
26Then went the Magistrate with the ministers, and brought them without force, for they feared the people lest they should be stoned.Then vvent the Magistrate vvith the ministers, and brought them vvithout force, for they feared the people least they should be stoned.Tunc abiit magistratus cum ministris, et adduxit illos sine vi : timebant enim populum ne lapidarentur.
27And when they had brought them, they set them in the Council. And the high priest asked them,And vvhen they had brought them, they sat them in the Councel. And the high priest asked them,Et cum adduxissent illos, statuerunt in concilio : et interrogavit eos princeps sacerdotum,
28saying, Commanding we commanded you that you should not teach in this name: and behold you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and you will bring upon us the blood of this man.saying, *Commaunding vve commaunded you that you should not teach in this name: and behold you haue filled Hierusalem vvith your doctrine, and you vvil bring vpon vs the bloud of this man.dicens : Præcipiendo præcepimus vobis ne doceretis in nomine isto, et ecce replestis Jerusalem doctrina vestra : et vultis inducere super nos sanguinem hominis istius.
29But Peter answering and the Apostles, said, God must be obeyed, rather then men.But Peter ansvvering and the Apostles, said, God must be obeied, rather then men.Respondens autem Petrus et Apostoli, dixerunt : Obedire oportet Deo magis quam hominibus.
30The God of our Fathers hath raised up JESUS, whom you did kill, hanging him upon a tree.The God of our Fathers hath raised vp IESVS, vvhom you did kil, hanging him vpon a tree.Deus patrum nostrorum suscitavit Jesum, quem vos interemistis, suspendentes in ligno.
31This Prince and Saviour God hath exalted with his right hand, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.This Prince and Saniour God hath exalted vvith his right hand, to giue repentance to Israel, and remission of sinnes.Hunc principem et salvatorem Deus exaltavit dextera sua ad dandam pœnitentiam Israëli, et remissionem peccatorum :
32and we are witnesses of these words, and the holy Ghost, whom God hath given to all that obey him.and vve are vvitnesses of these vvordes, and the holy Ghost, vvhom God hath giuen to al that obey him.et nos sumus testes horum verborum, et Spiritus Sanctus, quem dedit Deus omnibus obedientibus sibi.
33When they had heard these things, it cut them to the heart, and they consulted to kill them.Vvhen they had heard these things, it cut them to the hart, and they consulted to kil them.Hæc cum audissent, dissecabantur, et cogitabant interficere illos.
34But one in the Council rising up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of law honourable to all the people, commanded the men to be put forth a while.But one in the Councel rising vp, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of lavv honorable to al the people, commaunded the men to be put forth a vvhile.Surgens autem quidam in concilio pharisæus, nomine Gamaliel, legis doctor, honorabilis universæ plebi, jussit foras ad breve homines fieri,
35and he said to them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves touching these men what you mean to do.and he said to them, Ye men of Israel, take heede to your selues touching these men vvhat you meane to doe.dixitque ad illos : Viri Israëlitæ, attendite vobis super hominibus istis quid acturi sitis.
36For before these days there rose Theodas, saying he was some body, to whom consented a number of men about four hundred, who was slain: and all that believed him, were dispersed, and brought to nothing.For before these daies there rose Theodas, saying he vvas some body, to vvhom consented a numbre of men about foure hundred, vvho vvas slaine: and al that beleeued him, vvere dispersed, and brought to nothing.Ante hos enim dies extitit Theodas, dicens se esse aliquem, cui consensit numerus virorum circiter quadringentorum : qui occisus est, et omnes qui credebant ei, dissipati sunt, et redacti ad nihilum.
37After this fellow there rose Judas of Galilee in the days of the professionis: the public registration, the census or taxing, and drew away the people after him, and he perished: and as many as ever consented to him, were dispersed.After this fellovv there rose Iudas of Galilee in the daies of the Enrolling, and drevv avvay the people after him, and he perished: and as many as euer consented to him, vvere dispersed.Post hunc extitit Judas Galilæus in diebus professionis, et avertit populum post se : et ipse periit, et omnes quotquot consenserunt ei, dispersi sunt.
38And now therefore I say to you, depart from these men and let them alone: for if this counsel or work be of men, it will be dissolved:And novv therfore I say to you, depart from these men and let them alone: for if this counsel or vvorke be of men, it vvil be dissolued:Et nunc itaque dico vobis, discedite ab hominibus istis, et sinite illos : quoniam si est ex hominibus consilium hoc aut opus, dissolvetur :
39but if it be of God, you are not able to dissolve them, lest perhaps you be found to resist God also. And they consented to him.but if it be of God, you are not able to dissolue them, lest perhaps you be found to resist God also. And they consented to him.si vero ex Deo est, non poteritis dissolvere illud, ne forte et Deo repugnare inveniamini. Consenserunt autem illi.
40And calling in the Apostles, after they had scourged them, they charged them that they should not speak in the name of JESUS, and dismissed them.And calling in the Apostles, after they had scourged them, they charged them that they should not speake in the name of IESVS, and dismissed them.Et convocantes Apostolos, cæsis denuntiaverunt ne omnino loquerentur in nomine Jesu, et dimiserunt eos.
41And they went from the sight of the council rejoicing, because they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of JESUS.And they vvent from the sight of the councel reioycing, because they vvere accounted vvorthy to suffer reproche for the name of IESVS.Et illi quidem ibant gaudentes a conspectu concilii, quoniam digni habiti sunt pro nomine Jesu contumeliam pati.
42And every day they ceased not in the temple and from house to house to teach and evangelize Christ JESUS.And euery day they ceased not in the temple and from house to house to teach and euangelize Christ IESVS.Omni autem die non cessabant in templo et circa domos, docentes et evangelizantes Christum Jesum.
Annotations
2Defrauded. (Aug. ser. 9, in append. de diversis, tom. 10.) In that (saith St. Augustine) he withdrew any part of that which he promised, he was guilty at once, both of sacrilege, and of fraud. of sacrilege, (Sacrilege.) because he robbed God of that which was his by promise: of fraud, in that he withheld of the whole gift, a piece. Let now the Heretics come, and say it was for lying or hypocrisy only that this fact was condemned: because they be loth to have sacrilege counted any such sin. who have taught men not only to take away from God some piece of that or all that themselves gave, but plainly to spoil & apply to themselves all that other men gave.
3Peter said. St. Peter (as you see here) without man's relation knew this fraud and the cogitations of Ananias, and as head of the College and of the whole Church against which this robbery was committed, (li. 1, cont. ep. Parm. c. 1, to. 7.) executed this heavy sentence of Excommunication both against him and his wife consenting to the Sacrilege. for it was excommunication by St. Augustine's judgment, and had this corporal miraculous death joined withal, (Excommunication joined with corporal pain.) as the Excommunication that St. Paul gave out against the incestuous and others, had the corporal vexation of Satan incident unto it. (1 Cor. 5.)
4In thy power. (Vow of Chastity, & the breach thereof.) If it displeased God (saith St. Augustine) to withdraw of the money which they had vowed to God, how is he angry when chastity is vowed and is not performed? for so such may be said that which St. Peter said of the money: Thy virginity remaining did it not remain to thee, and before thou didst vow, was it not in thine own power? for, whosoever have vowed such things and have not paid them, let them not think to be condemned to corporal deaths, but to everlasting fire. August. Ser. 10. de diversis. And St. Gregory to the same purpose writeth thus, (Greg. li. 1. ep. 33.) Ananias had vowed money to God, which afterward overcome with devilish persuasion he withdrew: but with what death he was punished, thou knowest. If then he were worthy of that death, who took away the money that he had given to God, consider what great peril in God's judgment thou shalt be worthy of, which hast withdrawn, not money, but thyself from almighty God, to whom thou hadst vowed thyself under the habit or vow of a Monk.
4Not to men, but. To take from the Church or from the Governors thereof, things dedicated to their use and the service of God, or to lie unto God's Ministers, is so judged of before God, as if the lie were made, and the fraud done to the Holy Ghost himself, who is the Church's President and Protector.
11His shadow. (Peter's shadow & intercession.) Specially they sought to Peter the chief of all, who not only by touching, as the other, but by his very shadow cured all diseases. whereupon St. Augustine saith, If then the shadow of his body could help, how much more now the fulness of power? And if then a certain little wind of him passing by did profit them that humbly asked, how much more the grace of him now being permanent & remaining? Ser. 19. de Sanctis, speaking of the miracles done by the Saints now reigning in heaven.