The phrase “in that city” is taken to mean the city of Samaria by the Good News Translation, so there was great joy in Samaria. In many languages, however, one cannot simply speak of “there being joy.” Rather, it is people who must experience joy. Therefore, one must translates as “the people in Samaria were very joyful” or “the people in Samaria were glad in their hearts.”

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 .