Acts 5:10
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
Acts 5:10 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Acts describes a tragic event where a woman named Sapphira, who had conspired with her husband to deceive the apostles, suddenly fell down dead after being confronted by Peter. The sudden and dramatic nature of her death serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of dishonesty and betrayal. Sapphira's actions ultimately led to her untimely demise, highlighting the importance of integrity and honesty in the eyes of God. The young men who discovered her lifeless body then carried her out and buried her next to her husband, emphasizing the finality and seriousness of her actions. This passage serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of deception and the importance of living a life of truth and righteousness according to the teachings of the Bible.
Theological Overview
This verse from Acts 5:10 describes a poignant moment when a woman named Sapphira fell down dead after lying to the apostle Peter about the sale price of a piece of property she and her husband Ananias had sold. The phrase "yielded up the ghost" is a common biblical expression for death, signifying the end of her physical life. The word "yielded" implies a surrender or submission, suggesting that Sapphira's death was a result of her deceit and lack of honesty. The young men who came in and found her dead further emphasize the finality of her actions and the consequences of dishonesty. The swift and solemn burial by her husband's side serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of lying and the importance of integrity in the eyes of God. The theological interpretation of this verse underscores the importance of honesty, integrity, and the consequences of deceit in the context of faith and obedience to God's commands.
Acts 5:10 in other translations
American Standard Version
And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.
World English Bible
She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.
Douay-Rheims
Immediately, she fell down before his feet and gave up the ghost. And the young men coming in found her dead: and carried her out and buried her by her husband.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then she fell downe straightway at his feete, and yeelded vp the ghost: and the yong men came in, and found her dead, and caried her out, and buried her by her husband.