And great fear came over the whole church
The phrase "great fear" indicates a profound reverence and awe, often associated with the recognition of God's holiness and justice. This fear is not merely terror but a deep respect for God's power and authority. In the context of Acts 5, this fear follows the divine judgment on Ananias and Sapphira, who lied to the Holy Spirit. The early church, still in its formative stage, witnesses firsthand the seriousness of sin and the importance of integrity within the community. This event underscores the holiness required of God's people, echoing the Old Testament instances where God's holiness was demonstrated, such as the deaths of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3).

came over the whole church
The term "church" (Greek: ekklesia) refers to the assembly of believers, marking one of the earliest uses of the term in the New Testament to describe the Christian community. This indicates that the fear was not limited to individuals but was a collective experience, emphasizing the unity and shared responsibility within the body of Christ. The early church was characterized by communal living and shared resources, as seen in Acts 2:44-45, and this incident reinforced the need for honesty and transparency in such a community.

and all who heard about these events
The phrase "all who heard" suggests that the impact of the event extended beyond the immediate church community to the broader public. This widespread fear served as a testimony to the power and presence of God among His people, potentially drawing others to the faith or causing them to reconsider their actions. The events surrounding Ananias and Sapphira would have been a topic of significant discussion, highlighting the seriousness with which God views sin and the importance of truthfulness. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's desire for His people to be a light to the nations, as seen in Isaiah 49:6, and the call for the church to be a witness to the world, as Jesus instructed in Acts 1:8.

1. The Early Church
The community of believers in Jerusalem who were the first followers of Jesus Christ. They were characterized by their unity, sharing of possessions, and commitment to the apostles' teaching.

2. Ananias and Sapphira
A married couple who were part of the early church. They sold a piece of property but deceitfully kept back part of the proceeds while pretending to donate the entire amount to the apostles.

3. Peter
One of Jesus' apostles and a leader in the early church. He confronted Ananias and Sapphira about their deceit, leading to their deaths.

4. Jerusalem
The city where these events took place, serving as the center of early Christian activity and the location of the first church.

5. The Holy Spirit
The third person of the Trinity, who was actively working in the early church, empowering believers and revealing truth.The Seriousness of Sin
The account of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin, particularly deceit and hypocrisy, within the church.

The Fear of the Lord
The great fear that came upon the church highlights the importance of reverence and awe towards God, recognizing His holiness and justice.

Integrity in Giving
The account challenges believers to examine their motives in giving and to ensure that their actions align with their professed faith.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit's involvement in revealing the truth underscores His role in guiding and purifying the church.

Community Accountability
The early church's response to sin within its ranks emphasizes the need for accountability and discipline in maintaining the integrity of the Christian community.(11) And great fear came upon all the church.--With the exception of the doubtful reading in Acts 2:47, this is the first occurrence of the word ecclesia since the two instances in which our Lord had used it, as it were, by anticipation. (See Notes on Matthew 16:18; Matthew 18:17.) Its frequent use in the LXX. version for the "assembly," or "congregation," of Israel (Deuteronomy 18:16; Deuteronomy 23:1; Psalm 26:12; Psalm 68:26), its associations with the political life of Greece as applied to the assemblies, every member of which was a full citizen, made it a natural and fitting word for the new society; and the use by our Lord either of the actual Greek word or of the corresponding Aramaic term stamped it with His sanction. Its occurrence here is, perhaps, an indication of the increase of the Hellenistic element among the disciples. The sudden startling death of Ananias and his wife naturally tended to give a new prominence to the society, the rulers of which were seen to be clothed with supernatural powers; and the fear that fell upon all who heard of these things led them in part to draw near with reverence, in part to shrink back in awe. . . . Verse 11. - The whole Church for all the Church, A.V.; all that heard for as many as heard, A.V. The awful death of the two liars to God not only struck a salutary fear into the minds of the whole Church, but filled with awe all outside the Church who heard of it; and doubtless gave a temporary check to the persecutions, while it disposed many to hearken to the apostles' preaching.

Parallel Commentaries ...


And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

great
μέγας (megas)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

fear
φόβος (phobos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5401: (a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect. From a primary phebomai; alarm or fright.

came
ἐγένετο (egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

over
ἐφ’ (eph’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

whole
ὅλην (holēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.

church
ἐκκλησίαν (ekklēsian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

all
πάντας (pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

who
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

heard about
ἀκούοντας (akouontas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

these [events].
ταῦτα (tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.


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NT Apostles: Acts 5:11 Great fear came on the whole assembly (Acts of the Apostles Ac)