“And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.”
King James Version (KJV)
5:5 And Ananias fell down and expired - And this severity was not only just, considering that complication of vain glory, covetousness, fraud, and impiety, which this action contained: but it was also wise and gracious, as it would effectually deter any others from following his example. It was likewise a convincing proof of the upright conduct of the apostles, in managing the sums with which they were intrusted; and in general of their Divine mission. For none can imagine that Peter would have had the assurance to pronounce, and much less the power to execute such a sentence, if he had been guilty himself of a fraud of the same kind; or had been belying the Holy Ghost in the whole of his pretensions to be under his immediate direction.
Ac 5:5 Ananias . . . gave up the ghost. Fell down and expired. There was a visible judgment upon him for his great sin. It was inflicted by the Holy Spirit through Peter, and shows how hypocrisy is regarded by the Lord. Great fear came on all. Severe examples occurred at the outset of both Dispensations. Note the case of Nadab and Abihu (Le 10:1,2) and the sin of Achan (Jos 7:16-25).