Paragraph 2:22–24

2:22a

The quote from Joel ended in 2:21 and Peter again spoke for himself in 2:22a. In some languages that meaning is more clear by adding an introduction to this part of Peter’s speech. For example:

⌊Peter then said,⌋ “Men of Israel…

Men of Israel: This phrase refers to all people who descended from Jacob, who was later called Israel. It is another way to refer to the Jews. The word Israel would have reminded them about the covenant that God had made with their ancestors. For example:

Descendants of Israel

This address shows respect for them. Consider how to translate this phrase that would be respectful to the listeners.

Peter was also a man of Israel. He did not try to exclude himself from them here. In some languages a literal translation would imply that Peter excluded himself from them. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in your translation. For example:

⌊my fellow⌋ men of Israel
-or-
Fellow Israelites (New International Version (2011))

listen to this message: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as listen to this message is literally “listen to these words.” It refers to what follows. For example:

hear these words: (Revised Standard Version)

2:22b

Jesus of Nazareth: Peter identified Jesus by naming his hometown, Nazareth. He was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth. The Jews knew him as Jesus of Nazareth. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

Jesus from Nazareth (New Century Version)

a man certified by God to you: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

a man whom God certified to you

certified: This word refers to showing that a person is who he says he is. God showed the Jews that Jesus was the Christ by miracles, wonders, and signs. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

whose divine authority was clearly proven (Good News Translation)
-or-
confirmed
-or-
caused us(incl) to understand who he was

2:22c

miracles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as miracles is literally “powers.” The word miracles refers to actions which require supernatural power to accomplish. Jesus used God’s power to do miracles, and these miracles demonstrated that he came from God. For example, Jesus healed sick people and multiplied a few fish and loaves of bread to feed several thousand people.

Here are some other ways to translate miracles:

mighty works
-or-
amazing acts ⌊done with/by God’s power⌋
-or-
actions of supernatural power

If possible, translate this word in a different way than “wonders” or “signs.”

wonders, and signs: See how you translate wonders and signs in 2:19a.

which God did among you through Him: This clause describes the miracles, wonders, and signs. It does not separate these miracles, wonders, and signs from other miracles, wonders, and signs. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word which. For example:

God did them among you through him.

God did among you through Him: The word through indicates that Jesus did the miracles, wonders, and signs on God’s behalf. God enabled him and he did them when God said to. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

by God having him do them on his behalf in your midst
-or-
God/he was having him do among you
-or-
God/he caused him to do among you

2:22d

as you yourselves know: Probably some of the crowd had actually seen Jesus do some of those miracles, wonders, and signs. Probably all of them had heard others tell about the miracles, wonders, and signs that Jesus had done.

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