Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 5:1-11

"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles` feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it. And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so much. But Peter [said] unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out. 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. And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things." — Acts 5:1-11 (ASV)

The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was that they were ambitious to be thought eminent disciples when they were not true disciples. Hypocrites may deny themselves, may forego their worldly advantage in one instance, with the prospect of gaining an advantage in something else. They were covetous of the wealth of the world and distrustful of God and His providence. They thought they could serve both God and mammon.

They thought to deceive the apostles. The Spirit of God in Peter discerned the principle of unbelief reigning in Ananias's heart. However, whatever Satan might suggest, he could not have filled Ananias's heart with this wickedness if Ananias had not consented. The falsehood was an attempt to deceive the Spirit of truth, who so clearly spoke and acted through the apostles. Ananias's crime was not keeping part of the price of the land; he could have kept it all, if he had wished. Rather, it was his endeavor to impose upon the apostles with a dreadful lie, stemming from a desire to make a vain show, combined with covetousness.

But if we think to deceive God, we will fatally deceive our own souls. How sad it is to see those in relationships, who should encourage one another to what is good, instead hardening one another in what is evil! This punishment was, in reality, a mercy to vast numbers. It would lead to strict self-examination, prayer, and a dread of hypocrisy, covetousness, and vainglory; and it should still do so.

It would prevent the increase of false professors. From this, let us learn how hateful falsehood is to the God of truth, and not only shun a direct lie but also all advantages gained from using doubtful expressions and from double meanings in our speech.