Sapphira
“Sapphire, beautiful”
Summary
The wife of Ananias who conspired with her husband to deceive the apostles about a property sale, struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit in the early Jerusalem church.
☩The Conspiracy
In the Jerusalem church, believers voluntarily sold property and gave proceeds to the apostles for distribution to those in need. Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession but secretly kept back part of the price while pretending to give all. The sin was not in keeping some—they were free to keep it all—but in lying about it, seeking the reputation of generosity without the cost. Peter's question reveals Sapphira as a knowing participant: 'How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?'
☩Her Death
About three hours after Ananias died, Sapphira entered, unaware of her husband's fate. Peter gave her opportunity to tell the truth: 'Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?' She confirmed the false amount. Peter pronounced judgment: 'The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.' She immediately fell dead at his feet, and young men carried her out and buried her beside Ananias.
☩Significance
The deaths brought great fear upon the whole church and all who heard—the earliest use of the term 'church' (ekklesia) in Acts. The severity of judgment demonstrated that the Holy Spirit was genuinely present and active, not to be deceived or tested. Some have suggested Sapphira may have been the instigator of the scheme, but both shared guilt. The incident established that holiness in God's community requires integrity, and religious pretense is especially odious to Him.
Related Verses1 mention
Acts· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sapphira," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Sapphira," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Ananias," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).