The term welcomed may be rendered in many languages as “received as guests.” In contrast with verse 2, the Greek text of verse 4 employs an article with both apostles and elders. The fact that the construction may occur either with or without the article (see v. 2) indicates that at this time in the development of the church there was no hard and fast distinction.

To whom appears in the Good News Translation for the sake of clarity, and refers back to the church, the apostles, and the elders. Told translates a verb which literally means “declare” or “announce,” but the meaning in the context is either “give an account” (Jerusalem Bible) or simply “tell.”

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 .