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Acts 5 – Why Did Ananias and Sapphira Die?
Like with many questions, there is more than one right answer as to why Ananiasand Sapphira were put to death by God. May we learn why in many levels.
1. SIN – The husband and wife conspired together to lie about how much they donated to help the needy saints (Acts 5:1-10).
2. FEAR – The people became fearful, meaning the effect was positive on others (Acts 5:11).
3. HOLINESS – To quote from a similar narrative (Death of Nadab and Abihu): “Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD has spoken: I will demonstrate my holiness to those who are near me, and I will reveal my glory before all the people.” And Aaron remained silent.” (CSB’17 Leviticus 10:3)
There’s another reason which helps put this scene into perspective and helps to answer, “Why did God kill them, but not everyone else, including me, who also sins?”
After a new beginning by God and His people, time and again sin occurs almost immediately, resulting in a death sentence by God, with the result people are more careful to obey out of fearful.
1) Adam and Eve (not quite like the others) – Genesis 3
2) Mt.Sinai after the 10 Commandments – Exodus 32
3) Nadab and Abihu – Leviticus 10
4) Achan and his family – Joshua 7
This is a regular pattern. Seeing Ananias and Sapphira in isolation makes it seem more extreme, although admittedly it is extreme. And yet, this is God’s pattern. May we learn from the deaths of others so that we do not suffer a worse death eternally.
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