Manias, the name of three persons mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. I. A disciple at Jerusalem, who, having sold his property for the common cause, conspired with his wife Sapphira to give in a part of the price and reserve the rest, representing that he gave all. Peter is related to have discovered the impious fraud at once, and the Holy Ghost to have avenged it by striking both the deceivers dead.

II. A devout man who dwelt at Damascus, and who is recorded to have been warned in a vision to go and find Paul, and restore him to sight, after he had been struck blind at his conversion. According to tradition, he was afterward bishop of Damascus and a martyr.

III. A high priest before whom Paul was brought for trial at Jerusalem, and who commanded Paul to be smitten on the mouth (Acts xxii.). Paul being sent from this tribunal to Felix, Ananias among others went up to accuse him of being "a pestilent fellow and a mover of seditions," etc. He was, according to Josephus, nominated to his office by Herod, king of Chalcis, A. D. 48, sent to Rome in 52 to answer before Claudius a charge of oppression brought forward by the Samaritans, at a later period deposed, and finally assassinated at the beginning of the Jewish war.