King James Version

What Does Acts 5:9 Mean?

Acts 5:9 in the King James Version says “Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of th... — study this verse from Acts chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

Acts 5:9 · KJV


Context

7

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10

Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Peter's charge - 'How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?' - reveals the conspiracy's true nature: testing whether God would notice their deception. The Greek 'symphōneō' (agreed together) literally means 'sounded together,' emphasizing coordinated action. 'Tempt' (Greek 'peirazō') means test in sense of probing boundaries, similar to Israel's wilderness testing (Psalm 78:18). The phrase 'behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door' announced imminent identical judgment, giving momentary warning before execution.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Testing the Spirit parallels Ananias and Sapphira to wilderness generation who tested God (Numbers 14:22) and died outside the promised land. Both questioned whether God truly saw and cared about His people's behavior. The 'feet at the door' indicated young men's return, ready for identical service.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do believers 'test the Spirit' by seeing whether God notices secret sins?
  2. What does the coordinated judgment (both dying identically) teach about God's impartial justice?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
1 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 28

Then

G1161

but, and, etc

Πέτρος3 of 28

Peter

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

εἶπεν4 of 28

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

πρὸς5 of 28

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτήν6 of 28

her

G846

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

Τί7 of 28

How

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ὅτι8 of 28

is it that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

συνεφωνήθη9 of 28

have agreed together

G4856

to be harmonious, i.e., (figuratively) to accord (be suitable, concur) or stipulate (by compact)

ὑμῖν10 of 28

ye

G5213

to (with or by) you

πειράσαι11 of 28

to tempt

G3985

to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline

τὸ12 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεῦμα13 of 28

the Spirit

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

κυρίου14 of 28

of the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἰδού,15 of 28

behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

οἱ16 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόδες17 of 28

the feet

G4228

a "foot" (figuratively or literally)

τῶν18 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θαψάντων19 of 28

of them which have buried

G2290

to celebrate funeral rites, i.e., inter

τὸν20 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄνδρα21 of 28

husband

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

σου22 of 28

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ἐπὶ23 of 28

are at

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῇ24 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θύρᾳ25 of 28

the door

G2374

a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)

καὶ26 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξοίσουσίν27 of 28

out

G1627

to bear out (literally or figuratively)

σε28 of 28

thee

G4571

thee


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 5:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 5:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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