Sapphira

When did Sapphira die?

Sapphira is dated d. c. 33 in the archive, which places Sapphira in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.

Which early sources mention Sapphira?

Sapphira is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Luke and John Chrysostom. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

Where was Sapphira from?

The archive associates Sapphira with Jerusalem.

Who were Sapphira’s contemporaries?

The archive links Sapphira to 2 other figures, including Ananias of Jerusalem and Simon Peter. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.

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.

The woman he would fain save, for the man had been the author of the sin: therefore he gives her time to clear herself, and opportunity for repentance, saying, “Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?” … But perhaps some one will say that he dealt very harshly with her. What do you mean? What harshness? … And yet she might have perceived even from this that Peter knew the secret. For why, having questioned none other, does he question you? … But so great was her hardness, it would not let her attempt to evade the guilt; and with great confidence she replied; for she thought she was speaking only to a man. … First he makes her learn the sin, and then shows that she will justly suffer the same punishment with her husband, since she has committed the same wickedness. … Because she simply affirmed, “Yea, for so much,” ye see what she suffered.