Paragraph 22:26–28
22:26a–b
reported it…he said: The Greek words are literally “reported, saying.” It indicates that what he said in 22:26b was the main point of the report. For example:
reported to him, saying (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
In some languages it is not necessary to translate both verbs. For example:
said to him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
asked him (Good News Translation)
See the note on “What are you going to do?” below as to whether you translate this rhetorical question as a question or a statement.
22:26a
On hearing this, the centurion went and reported it to the commander: These words imply that the soldiers did not do anything further to Paul. They waited until the centurion came back with orders from the commander.
In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply that they flogged him anyway. If that is true in your language, include the implied information in your translation. For example:
When the centurion heard this, ⌊he told the soldiers to not flog him. Then⌋ he went and reported it to the commander
22:26b
The centurion probably spoke with respect to the commander. Consider how to indicate that in your language.
What are you going to do?: This is a rhetorical question. It is a warning. The commander’s order to flog Paul was wrong now that they knew that Paul was a Roman citizen. (Roman law said it was illegal to flog a Roman citizen before a judge called him guilty.) It is probably not a rebuke. Translate this clause with that meaning. Some ways are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Do you realise what you are doing? (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
What is this that we(dual) almost did?
• As a statement. For example:
You were about to do something ⌊bad/wrong⌋!
-or-
We almost ⌊broke the law⌋!
• As a command. For example:
Consider what you are about to do.
-or-
Do not do what you were intending to do!
you: The commander was responsible for flogging Paul, because the soldiers were following his orders. Roman authorities would punish the commander for disobeying the law.
he said: The Berean Standard Bible placed the phrase he said in the middle of the spoken words. Place it where it would be most natural in your language. Also see the note on “reported it…he said” above.
This man is a Roman citizen: The Greek conjunction often translated as “for” introduces this clause. It introduces the explanation or reason for the warning: “What are you going to do?” For example:
For this man is a Roman citizen. (Revised Standard Version)
But some English versions do not find the conjunction necessary or natural here, and so omit it.
General Comment on 22:26b
Paul, the commander, and the centurion knew that it was illegal to flog a Roman citizen before a judge said that he was guilty. In some languages a literal translation would not indicate or imply that information. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Explain it in your translation. For example:
This man is a Roman citizen ⌊and we would be punished if we flogged him without a judge telling us to⌋.
• Translate literally and explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:
Paul, the commander, and the centurion knew that it was illegal to flog a Roman citizen before a judge said that he was guilty.
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