Paragraph 5:3–6

5:3a–b

Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?: This is a rhetorical question. Peter used this question to rebuke Ananias for lying about the money. Here are some ways to translate this rebuke:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the money that you received for the land?

• As a statement. For example:

Ananias, you should not have let Satan fill your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep for yourself some of the money that you received for the land.

5:3a

Then: The Greek word here is often translated “and.” Here it indicates that the story continues. For example:

And

There is possible contrast here with what was said in 5:2. For example:

But (Revised Standard Version)

In some languages it may be more natural to allow the context to provide the meaning of this connection. For example:

Peter said…

how is it that Satan has filled your heart: The phrase how is it that here means “why.” For example:

why has Satan filled your heart (Revised Standard Version)

Satan: The word Satan is the Hebrew name of the leader of all the evil spirits. In Hebrew his name means “enemy.” He is the enemy of God and God’s people.

Here are some ways to translate Satan:

• Use a local name or idiom that refers to the chief of all demons.

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

the chief/leader of the evil spirits
-or-
the spirit enemy of God

• Transliterate the name Satan. If this word is not already known in your area, you may also want to add a descriptive phrase. For example:

Satanas, ⌊the ruler of demons⌋
-or-
Shaitan

Use a word or phrase that will be acceptable to churches in the area. You might also add a footnote or glossary entry that further explains who Satan is. Here is an example footnote:

Satan is the leader of all the evil spirits or demons. Other names for him are “Beelzebul,” “the Devil,” “the Evil One,” “the Enemy,” and “the Tempter.”

has filled your heart: The word filled implies “full.” The Greek indicates that Satan inspired Ananias to lie to the Holy Spirit. Here are some possible translations:

rule your thoughts (New Century Version)
-or-
has inspired you

Holy Spirit: This phrase refers to the Spirit of God. See how you translated this phrase in 1:2 or 4:31.

5:3b

withhold: The Greek means “put aside,” as in 5:2a. It also indicates that Ananias did something wrong in regard to the price of the land. See how you translated this Greek word there (“kept back…for himself”).

some of the proceeds from the land: The Greek is more literally “from the price of the land.” The Greek here is similar to the Greek in 5:2a (“some of the proceeds”). See Note on “he kept back some of the proceeds for himself” there. Translate in a similar way here. For example:

the price of the land

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