Acts 5 NIV
1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.
3Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."
5When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."
9Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."
10At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
This event happens in Jérusalem.
Question : Who exactly are "the young men who buried Ananias and Sapphira" ?
Al Capone used some young men to kill his enemies...
This could be one of the reasons which incited Peter to leave Jérusalem, notwithstanding (of course) the religious reasons.
Peter is Peter, by Jove !
Did Tacitus write Annals? Mebbe there was a Document that became Annals. I dunno.
I have had troubles with the idea of this book. I've consulted lotsa' Skollers and they tell me it's real.
It makes my analysis a lot easier.
Whats' the Key Phrase that lets you know that some Other Story is being rewritten into the NT?
In this case it's:
Acts 5: 9 (RSV):
[9] But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Hark, the feet of those that have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."
"Hark, the feet of those that have buried your husband are at the door..."
Tacitus, Annals, 11: 37 - 38:
Hurrying to the Gardens in advance of the rest, he discovered Messalina prone on the ground, and, seated by her side, her mother Lepida; who, estranged from her daughter during her prime, had been conquered to pity in her last necessity, and was now advising her not to await the slayer:— "Life was over and done; and all that could be attempted was decency in death." But honour had no place in that lust-corrupted soul, and tears and lamentations were being prolonged in vain, when the door was driven in by the onrush of the new-comers, and over her stood the tribune in silence, and the freedman upbraiding her with a stream of slavish insults.
...
Now for the first time she saw her situation as it was, and took hold of the steel. In her agitation, she was applying it without result to her throat and again to her breast, when the tribune ran her through."
I'll let anyone else play Match'em Up with the entire Scene.
If Ananias and Sapphira were killed by angels, God is responsible of their death.
If they are killed by some servants of Peter, God is not responsible.
You have to choose...
Peter's Denial Lk 22:56-62 Mk 14:66-72 Mt 26:69-75
Lk 22:56 And a certain maid seeing him (Peter) as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking steadfastly upon him, said, This man also was with him. 22:57 But he denied, saying, Woman, I know him not. 22:58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not. 22:59 And after the space of about one hour another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilaean. 22:60 But Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said unto him, Before the cock crow this day thou shalt deny me thrice. 22:62 And he went out, and wept bitterly.
This denial of Jesus is much less important for Peter than the death of Ananias and Sapphira.
After all, Ananias and Sapphira told lies to Peter.
And Peter told lies (much less important) in front of Jesus.