“And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.”
About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened - the time gap ('about three hours,' hōsei hōrōn triōn) allows Luke to emphasize that Sapphira has no excuse; she comes without warning, without preparation, meeting the apostles fresh from burying her conspirator. The narrative creates unbearable dramatic tension: she is guilty and ignorant simultaneously.
Church Fathers on Acts 5:7
And great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, and wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? Acts 5:6-8 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,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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