Made himself known translates a verb form which may have a middle force as in the Good News Translation (see also Moffatt, An American Translation*, Jerusalem Bible, Revised Standard Version), though it is possible to translate it passively (see Phillips and New English Bible “Joseph was recognized by his brothers”). The Greek may either mean that Pharaoh came to know about Joseph’s family (see Revised Standard Version, New English Bible, Jerusalem Bible) or that “Pharaoh learned of Joseph’s parentage” (An American Translation*; see also Moffatt and Phillips). However, in light of the fact that Pharaoh already knew of Joseph’s lineage, it seems most likely that the meaning here is that Pharaoh came to know (about) Joseph’s family.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .