Some people consider that Ananias had a heart attack due to the shock of being publicly exposed and that this was the cause of his death. Though a heart attack may have been the means by which he died, his death must nevertheless be seen as God’s judgment (see Isaiah 11:4).1 It was divine judgment on his sin.2 Immediate judgment is something which also takes place elsewhere in Scripture, in both the Old (Leviticus 10:2; Joshua 7:1, Joshua 7:19–26; 1 Kings 14:1–18) and the New Testament (1 Corinthians 11:30; James 5:20; 1 John 5:16–17; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20).3
5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.