Ananias and Sapphira

A man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a possession and kept back part of the proceeds for himself, while bringing a certain part and laying it at the apostles' feet (Acts 5:1-2). His wife was also aware of this withholding. Peter questioned Ananias, asking why Satan had filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land. Peter noted that while the land remained, it was his own, and after it was sold, the money was in his own control, yet he had conceived this thing in his heart and lied not to men, but to God (Acts 5:3-4).

Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard these things. Young men arose, wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him (Acts 5:5-6). About three hours later, his wife Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her whether they had sold the land for a specific amount, and she confirmed that was the price. Peter then asked how it was that they had agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord, stating that the feet of those who buried her husband were at the door and would carry her out (Acts 5:7-9).

Immediately, she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. The young men entered and found her dead, then carried her out and buried her by her husband (Acts 5:10). The text does not say how the physical death was biologically triggered. The text does not say where the burial site was located in Jerusalem, only that they were carried out (Acts 5:10). The event occurred in the early years of the church, dated by tradition to the first century AD.