5:9a
The Greek here begins with the word that is often translated as “and.” It introduces the consequences of Sapphira lying to Peter. Here are some ways to translate this Greek word:
Then (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
But (Revised Standard Version)
How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?: This is a rhetorical question. Peter rebuked Sapphira for agreeing with Ananias to test the Holy Spirit. Here are some ways to translate this:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Why did the two of you agree to test the Lord’s Spirit? (Contemporary English Version)
• As a statement. For example:
You ⌊two⌋ should not have agreed to test the Spirit of the Lord
you agree: Here the word you refers to Ananias and Sapphira. The two of them agreed to test the Holy Spirit. For example:
you(dual) agree
to test the Spirit of the Lord: The verb test indicates that Ananias and Sapphira tried to deceive Peter into thinking they had given the apostles the full amount from the sale of the land when they had not. But Peter saw that it really was a test: Would the Holy Spirit reveal the lie or not? Here are some other ways to translate this:
to try to deceive the Spirit of the Lord to accept your lie
-or-
to try to trick the Spirit of the Lord into accepting this amount as the full amount
the Spirit of the Lord: This refers to the Holy Spirit. It is not clear if Lord refers to God or Jesus. Some languages must name to whom Lord refers. If that is true in your language, add “God” or “Jesus.” You may want to follow the major language version.
Lord: This word means “master, one who has authority over others.” See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 4:33.
5:9b
Look: This word tells the listener to pay attention. It is not a command to look at something. Here are some other ways to translate this word:
Hey/Indeed!
-or-
Listen, (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door: The phrase the feet of the men is a figure of speech that indicate that these men were ready to step forward and come to where Peter and Sapphira were. Translate that meaning. For example:
The men who buried your husband are on their feet and at the door
-or-
The men who buried your husband are ready and at the door
the feet of the men who buried: The Greek is more literally “the feet of the ones having buried.” It refers to the young men of 5:6 but does not use the Greek word that means “young men” here. For example:
the feet of those who have buried (New Revised Standard Version)
In some languages it would be better to use the same word as in 5:6. For example:
the feet of the young men who buried
5:9c
they will carry you out also: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as carry…out is the same one as in 5:6. It implies that Sapphira would die and the men would carry out her body. At this point of the story, she has not yet died. If possible translate carry…out as you did in 5:6. For example:
they will carry out your body also
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