Acts Chapter 5 in the KJV and AWPR Translations

Acts 5

King James Version (KJV)

Alternate Word Pictures with Reiterations (AWPR) 

Note:  [Boxed] Green is my commentary
  

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,    (KJV)

1)  Then a certain man, Ananias by name,
      with Sapphira the wife of him,
      bartered and sold a (land) possession - a property;
      (AWPR)   

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.     (KJV)

2)   But set apart and separated - embezzled 
       from the price --
       knowing together and aware of it also, the wife of him --
       and bearing up and carrying / bringing 
       a certain part near to the feet of the Apostles,
       set - laid (it down).  
       (AWPR)  
    

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?     (KJV)    

3)   Then said Peter,
             'Ananias, on what account (has) the Satan - the Adversary
              filled the heart of you to cheat and defraud the Holy 
              Spirit,
              and to set apart and embezzle from the price of the 
              parcel of ground?
              (AWPR) 

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.        (KJV)

4)         Was it certainly not (that while it was) 
             remaining - abiding - staying    to you
             (that it could thus)  remain - stay - and be trafficked - 
             sold beyond (in other lands) 
             (in your power to do or not do as you wished? 

             What cause was there that put this 
             matter - deed - action    in the heart of you?
             
             Certainly not you lied to men,
             but to GOD.'
             (AWPR)
   
  

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and 

great fear came on all them that heard these things.       (KJV)  

5)   Then, intently hearing these intelligent words,
       Ananias fell down and breathed out  [his last breath] 
       (as being already dead) / 
       and expired - and died (instantly) 
       [before his body even collapsed where he stood and hit the ground].

       And came into being   great terrifying fear upon all those
       intently hearing - listening    to these things.
       (AWPR)     
              

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.        (KJV) 

6)    Then, the new men rising up, 
        they set and wrapped him up;
        and carrying out - bearing forth,
        performed funeral rites - buried (him).
        (AWPR)

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.      (KJV) 

7)     Then it came into being
         about 3 hours interval separately:
         and the wife of him perhaps not knowing
         that happening - occurring     entered.
         (AWPR)
         

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.     (KJV)  

8)    Then Peter answered her,
              'Tell me, if (of a certainty) so much  [was the amount of]
               the parcel - field of land,
               [and if it was the amount]  
               from what you gave over?'                             

       Then she said,
              'Certainly Yes.  (Of a certainty) So much.'   
               (AWPR)  
          

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.     (KJV)   

9)    Then Peter said to her,
              'Why (was it) that in unison it was agreed with you to
               [distrustingly - doubtingly]
               tempt - test - try 
               the Spirit of YHVeH  -  the Spirit of (the) LORD?

               Behold, look and see!  
               The feet of those performing funeral rites - burying 
               the husband of you (are) upon / at  the door,
               and they will carry and bear you out.'
               (AWPR)

    

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.   (KJV)  

10)    Then, at that very moment - on the spot, 
          she immediately fell down near the feet of him,
          and breathed out  [her last breath] 
          (as being already dead) / 
          and expired - and died (instantly) 
   [before her body even collapsed where she stood and hit the ground].
           
          Then the new men   
   [likely new converts and between the ages of 13 - 25 is both meant]
          found her (as) a corpse - found her dead.

          And carrying and bearing (her) out,
          gave her funeral rites - buried her
          up to and alongside with the husband of her.
          (AWPR)   

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.     (KJV)  

11)   And came into being great terrifying fear
        upon all the Ekklesian - the Called Out Ones - the Church,
        and upon all those hearing and listening intently
        (to) these things.
        (AWPR)

                 

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.  (KJV)   

12)    Then through the hands of the Apostles
          happened miraculous signs and wonders - amazing miracles 
          (that were watched and remembered)
          in the many people,
          and were beyond opinion as with one passion 
          all in the porch of Solomon.
          (AWPR)

         

13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.    (KJV) 

13)    Then of the remaining - (those) left,
         certainly no one dared - ventured - had boldness or courage
         to associate or adhere (as glue) to them;
         but the people made them great with praise - [acts of 
         favors of] kindness - mercy [towards them] 
         (all the more).
         (AWPR) 

      

14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)  (KJV)

14)    Then were the believing - trusting ones added
          up to and alongside with,
          to (the) LORD,
          throngs - fullness (of peoples) - multitudes,
          both men and women.
          (AWPR)  
               

15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.     (KJV)  

15)    So that down against and in the  Plateias / the (traveled)
         broad way /  the outer darkness
         [inclusive of forked or adjoining valleys used for travel]  
         to bear up and carry out the 
         without strength - weak - powerless - infirmed - sick,
         and to set - lay - place upon 
         (transportable) beds - cots
  
          [many perhaps similar to our two man military medical stretchers
            for temporary single individual transport using two poles 
            with short stands and made of canvas or skins between]
          
         and [thin roll-up individual]  mattresses 
         
         [often made of skins such as sheep with the wool attached, or of 
          thick blankets, likely about the size and thickness of a closed 
          sleeping bag , but a little wider -- thought to be about 3 - 3 1/2  
          feet in width, and the variable length slightly longer than 
          the individual owner's height]

          in order that Peter coming, 
          if but the (shade of his) shadow (might) shade 
          upon one - upon someone    of them.
          (AWPR)

                                   
     

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.    (KJV)  

16)    Then came together - assembled also 
          the multitude - fullness (of people) - throng
          of the roundabout -  of the surrounding      cities
          into Jerusalem,
          carrying - bearing 
          without strength - weak - powerless - infirmed - sick (ones)
          and those harassed - tormented under 
          crowds - mobs of unclean spirits: 
            anyone who - whosoever [came],
            all were waited upon and (miraculously) healed.
            (AWPR)
            

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,      (KJV) 

17)    Then standing up,  the First Priest - the High Priest
          and all those with him,
          which is the Heresy - Sect  of the Sadducees,
          were filled with 
          grievous zeal - grievous fervor - hot envy with anger;
          (AWPR)  

      

18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

(KJV) 

18)   And threw their hands upon the Apostles,
         and set - lay - placed them in custody 
         [under guard and bound up or fastened as in chains] 
         publicly.
         (AWPR)

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,    (KJV) 

19)   Then an angel of (the) LORD through the night
         open opened the doors of the prison 
         and leading / bringing   them out,
         said,
         (AWPR) 

     

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

(KJV) 

20)         'Go away and pass / run  through.

                Stand fast -  continue standing,
                and speak at random in the Temple to the people
                all the words (of the teaching - precepts - doctrines)                
                of Life.'
                (AWPR)        

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.     (KJV)  

21)    Then, having intently heard this, 
          they entered the Temple beneath the dawn
          and Taught - Instructed - Tutored.

          Then having come to, and those with him,
          the First Priest - the High Priest       summoned together 
          the Sanhedrin and all the old ones of the Sons of Israel.

          And they sent forth into the binding place - the prison
          to be led and brought (to) them.
          (AWPR)  

     

22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,   (KJV)  

22)     Then the subordinate attendants having arrived,
            certainly did not find them by search or inquiry
            in the prison.
            
            Then, having turned again  - having returned,
            they reported - announced - declared,
            (AWPR)

   

23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.   (KJV)    

23)   laying down definite words, saying,
               'That indeed we found the binding place - the prison
                having been closed closed / having been shut in (completely)
                in all safety  with firmness and certainly secure
                [beyond all doubt]
                and guards - keepers - sentinels outside
                standing up to and alongside of the doors.

                Then, having open opened, 
                we found no one within.'
                (AWPR)              

24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

(KJV)

24)    Then so as in what manner or way both the Sacred Priest
          and the Strategos - Commander    of the Temple
          and the first priests - chief priests
          listening intently heard these words, 
          
          they were pierced through in not knowing how to proceed
          or act, hesitating, doubting,  without resource as to make a 
          determination (or conclusion)
          concerning them
  
          [the missing Apostles who were supposed to be their 
            bound and securely shut in prisoners] 
  
          (and) what might become of this.
          (AWPR)       

25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.      (KJV)  

25)   Then one   announced - declared - reported  to them,
         laying down definite words saying,
               'Behold, look and see!   Because the men whom you 
                set - put - lay - placed    in  the prison
                are standing in the Temple,
                and Teaching - Instructing   the people!'
                (AWPR)
                 

26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.    (KJV)   

26)  Then at that time, departing - going,
        the Strategos -  the Commander   
        with the subordinate attendants brought them;
        certainly not with  strength - force - violence,
        in order that they be not stoned,
        because they  (with a fright so as to run away)
        feared the people.
        (AWPR)

[Note:  Generally, the Commander and his subordinate attendants / officers  would have been facing on average well over 10,000 and as many as 20,000 non-holiday sons of Israel in the confines of the Courts and porticos of the Temple Mount.  It was usual that 30,000 people and more were found inside the Courts and porticos themselves as normal traffic around the major holidays.  
On top of the minimum number of 10,000 during the non-holidays, for decades more there would yet be as many as 9,000 more of the 18,000 artisans and various laborers on day shift working on the Temple's Courts and outer perimeter and other various  related on-site construction projects, (cf. Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 20.9.7), who would have left large piles of very convenient ready to grab stones of various throwable sizes,  for the Strategos and his subordinates to also worry about .] 

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,      (KJV)

27)    Then bringing - leading  them forth,
          they were set and stood in the Sanhedrin.

          And the First Priest - And the High Priest
          (after the manner as to an equal) asked - interrogated them,
          (AWPR)
          
            
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.      (KJV) 

28)    laying down definite words, saying,
               'Did we certainly not by a Proclamation of command 

                pass an order (with you) in our presence
                that you may not Teach - Instruct upon this Name?

                And behold, look and see!  You have filled Jerusalem
                to the full  of the Teaching - Instruction  of you,
                and willingly wish - desire and intend by an inward bent 
                and predisposition
                to lead - carry - bring  upon us 
              
               [cf. LXX Greek of Genesis 20:9, Exodus 34:7 where it 
                 also means "to make us accountable / answerable to"]

                the blood of this man.'
                (AWPR)  
              

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.      (KJV)

29)     Then Peter and the Apostles  discerningly said,
                  'It is right, proper, and necessary as by duty, 
                   to submit to and obey the authority of GOD
                   rather than men.'
                   (AWPR)

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.    (KJV) 

30)          The GOD of the fathers of us 
                raised up and set upright
                
   [set upright as easily as waking from sleep and standing upright]

                Yeshua - Jesus,
                who you laid hands upon and handled
                (to kill - slay - put to death)
                to suspend and hang upon wood.
                (AWPR)

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.     (KJV) 

31)         This One, (the) Originator - First Cause - Author
               and Savior,  GOD exalted - lifted up - elevated
               (brought into the heights)
               to the right side - to the right hand    of Him
               to (of His own good will and accord) give
               a change in the midst of the mind and how one thinks /
               repentance        to Israel,
               and forgiveness - remission of sins.
               (AWPR)              

    

32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.     (KJV) 

32)         And we are of Him  martyrs - witnesses of these
               sayings - teachings - doctrines - precepts
               and the Holy Spirit then,
               whom GOD (of His own good will and accord)
               gave  to those submitting to His authority and 
               obeying Him.'
               (AWPR)

33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.      (KJV)

33)     Then those hearing and listening intently (were) cut through
           (as if deeply by a saw)
            and took counsel - deliberation
            to take away - abolish - publicly slay or execute them.
            (AWPR)
           
    
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

34)    Then one in the Sanhedrin standing up, 
          by name Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a law teacher
          valued as precious and prized - held in high honor and esteem
          by all the people
          shouted a command to send forth the Apostles outside
          (for) a short time - (for) a little while.
          (AWPR)           

35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.      (KJV)

35)    And he said up to and alongside with them,
               'Men, Israelites,
                have - hold - possess   up alongside with yourselves /
                take heed /  hold (the) course with yourselves
               
                [do not commit a stray judgment / in judging do not sin]

                what you are about to do - what you intend to do 
                upon these men.
                (AWPR)

36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to (KJV) nought.       (KJV)

36)         Because / For    before these days Theudas stood up,
               laying down definite words, saying himself to be 
               a certain one - a certain someone,
               to whom were joined as companions - followers 
               a number of men, as if 400,
               who were taken up (and executed);
               and all, as many as were persuaded and convinced 
               (and had obeyed) him were separated and loosed -
                dispersed and broken up
                and came into nothing.
                (AWPR)


37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.      (KJV)

37)       After this, again stood Judas the Galilean,
             in the days of the writing down - enrolling - registration,
             and removed from standing in place / drew away 
             (into apostasy)
             sufficient enough people behind him.

             That one (was) wholly destroyed - perished entirely,
              and all, as many as were persuaded and convinced
              (and had obeyed) him were scattered abroad and dispersed
              (like chaff thrown into the wind).
              (AWPR)             
        

38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:   (KJV)

38)        And at now - And at the present,
              I lay down definite words and say to you,
              Stand away from these men, and permit - allow  them
              (without hindrance);
               because      (conditionally) if 
               this will - purpose - intention  or
               this work performance - act - deed   be of men,
               it will be (utterly) loosed /
               it will fall apart and be (completely) destroyed.          
               (AWPR)

39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.     (KJV)

39)         Then     (hypothetically) if
               it is out of / from   GOD,
               you will certainly not be able - capable - empowered
               to (utterly) loose / take it apart and (completely) destroy it,
               lest at anytime  you be found out as 
               strivers - fighters - physical opponents  in battle with GOD.'
               (AWPR)

40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.       (KJV)

40)    Then they were persuaded and convinced and obeyed him.

           And having called - summoned forth up alongside with 
           (themselves) the Apostles,
            and beaten them to the removing and flaying of skin:

  [Note: Greek is unclear whether whips or rods used upon the 
              Apostles, as both methods or either alone could have been used.]

            to the side, they passed on a declarative announcement
            that they may not  speak at random upon the Name of Yeshua -
            upon the Name of Jesus,  
            and unbound - loosed - released   them. 
            (AWPR)

      
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they    were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.      

(KJV)

41)   They [the Apostles]  thereupon indeed passed through
         and went away gladly rejoicing from (the) face of the 
         Sanhedrin,   because that  over and on behalf of the Name 
         of Him, they were thought of and deemed as worthy 
         to be abused and dishonored.
         (AWPR)  

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.     (KJV)

42)   And all day in the Temple and (in)  every / each  house
         they certainly did not make an end - did not rest - did not cease
         Teaching - Instructing   
         and preaching the Gospel / proclaiming the Good News:  
         Jesus the Christ -  Yeshua HaMesshiach 
         [Jesus (is) the Messiah].
         (AWPR)

Disclaimer:  The Alternate Word Pictures with Reiterations (AWPR) translation, translation mine, should be used as a Bible Study Aid only, and it is recommended that a direct literal translation or the King James Bible be used for regular and ecclesiastical purposes, and that the AWPR be used in association only as a Bible study aid so as to help the reader / user in their Bible Studying to clarify context and Scriptural Intent, and to get the full context and understanding into the English from out of the ancient Greek in which this New Testament passage was first written.     Thanks.  -- Brianroy