The name Ananias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hananiah, one of Daniel’s friends (Dan. 1:6), and is used for probably twelve other men in the Old Testament. It means, “Yah is gracious” or “taken into favor by Yah.” In the New Testament this name occurs eleven times, only in Acts, for three different persons.

The first Ananias mentioned and his wife Sapphira were Jewish believers and members of the early Jerusalem church in its first bloom. However, they acted in self-love instead of love for the Lord and for their fellow believers. They allowed Satan to influence their hearts to the point that they became liars and thus became instruments used by the enemy against God the Holy Spirit who dwelt in the Church. They did give a considerable gift, but they did not do it with the right motives (cf. 1 Cor. 13:3). They probably desired to have honor and recognition similar to what Barnabas had received when he had sold his property and laid the money at the apostles’ feet for distribution among the poor (Acts 4:36-37).

Ananias and Sapphira tried to please men instead of God. Doing so, they became liars. They held something back for themselves. This was not in itself wrong, but without honestly acknowledging doing this, they were in fact lying about it. This was a form of hypocrisy, which the Lord, while on earth, had unmasked and condemned in the Jewish profession. Now the enemy had succeeded in introducing similar hypocrisy into the newly-formed Church, which was supposed to represent Christ. Let us avoid such hypocrisy, but instead act honestly, out of love for the Lord and for His people. This will bring glory to Him!