Acts 5:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπὸ
part of
G575
ἀπὸ
part of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
3 of 20
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τιμῆς
the price
G5092
τιμῆς
the price
Strong's:
G5092
Word #:
5 of 20
a value, i.e., money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself
συνειδυίας
being privy
G4894
συνειδυίας
being privy
Strong's:
G4894
Word #:
6 of 20
to see completely; used (like its primary) only in two past tenses, respectively meaning to understand or become aware, and to be conscious or (clande
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ,
his
G846
αὐτοῦ,
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐνέγκας
brought
G5342
ἐνέγκας
brought
Strong's:
G5342
Word #:
12 of 20
to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
μέρος
part
G3313
μέρος
part
Strong's:
G3313
Word #:
13 of 20
a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)
παρὰ
it at
G3844
παρὰ
it at
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Property sales were voluntary (v. 4), not mandatory. The sin was deception, not incomplete giving. The couple likely sought Barnabas-level reputation (Acts 4:36-37) without matching sacrifice. Ancient culture's honor/shame dynamic made public recognition valuable, tempting counterfeit piety.
Questions for Reflection
- How does conspiring together in sin compound individual guilt?
- What does 'keeping back part' while claiming the whole reveal about money's grip on the heart?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it' describes deliberate, conspiratorial deception. The Greek 'enosphisato' (kept back) is used in Joshua 7:1 for Achan's theft, linking this sin to Israel's conquest crisis. This wasn't mere withholding but fraudulent representation. 'His wife also being privy' (Greek 'syneidyia,' conscious knowledge) makes this premeditated conspiracy, not impulsive lie. Bringing 'a certain part' while implying the whole exemplifies Jesus' warning about serving two masters.