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Acts 5:7

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 5:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
Acts 5:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4While 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.
5And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it.
6And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.
7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so much.
9But 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.
10And 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.
← Acts 5:6Acts 5:8 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it was about the space of three hours after, etc.] The death of Ananias. So much time was taken up in burying of him; and in less time it could not well be, since the burying places of the Jews were without the city, as before observed: and if they were as distant from other cities, as they were from the cities of the Levites, they were, as Dr. Lightfoot shows from Maimonides f198, above a mile and half off: though there is a Jewish canon which runs thus f199; “they put carcasses, graves, and tanners, fifty cubits from a city.” So that to go thither, open the grave, inter the dead, and return, must take up so much time; and so much time his wife had to reflect upon what she and her…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much--naming the sum.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And it was about the space ... - As Sapphira had been no less guilty than her husband, so it was ordered in the providence of God that the same judgment should tome upon both. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“About the space of three hours - How precious a space! The woman had a longer time for repentance. Acts 5:8”
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Related study paths

Read Acts 5 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification