Peter, who acts as the spokesman for the Christian community (a position clearly described in previous chapters) now speaks to Ananias. Since, however, what he says is in the form of a question, it is necessary in some languages to translate “asked him.”

The phrase take control of is literally “fill,” but such a figurative meaning of “fill” is extremely difficult to render in many languages. It is particularly difficult to use with the expression heart. Therefore in some languages this phrase is translated as “brought your mind to.” In other languages “Satan entered your heart so that you.”

The term heart must be rendered by some expression which indicates thought with strongly emotional content. In some languages this is the liver, in other languages the stomach. It is, however, more than just thinking. There must be the implication of desire as well.

In verse 3 the object of the Greek verb translated lie is the accusative case, while the objects of the same verb in verse 4 are in the dative case. However, it is very unlikely that Luke wishes to make any distinction at this point. These are only alternative grammatical usages.

The phrase the money you received for the property can be translated “the money you received when you sold the property.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .