22:8a
‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked: The Berean Standard Bible placed the phrase I asked after the spoken words. Place it where it would be most natural in your language.
Who are You, Lord?: In the Greek and the Berean Standard Bible, the term of address is last. In some languages, it is more natural to have the term of address first. For example:
Lord, who are you?
Lord: Here Paul knew that the being speaking to him was more than a human person. He did not know exactly who yet, but since the bright light shone Paul knew it was an angel or other supernatural being. So he addressed him as Lord, because the being was higher in status than a mere human like Paul. For example:
O great one
See how you translated this word in 9:5.
I asked: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as asked is literally “answered.” Paul responded to Jesus speaking to him. For example:
I answered (Revised Standard Version)
But Paul did not answer Jesus’ question. So some English versions translate the Greek word in a way that does not indicate that he answered that question. For example:
I asked (Good News Translation)
-or-
I responded by asking
22:8b
I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting: The phrase whom you are persecuting tells the reader more about Jesus. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other men called Jesus of Nazareth and Paul only persecuted this one. If that is true in your language, translate the second clause so that it tells more about Jesus. For example:
I am Jesus of Nazareth. You are persecuting me.
-or-
I am Jesus from Nazareth. It is I whom you are persecuting.
He replied: The Berean Standard Bible placed the phrase He replied after the spoken words. Place it where it would be most natural in your language.
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