Paragraph 4:8–12

4:8a

Then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then introduces what Peter said in response to the question in 4:7.

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit: This clause is passive. Some languages must translate without a passive clause. For example:

the Holy Spirit filled/guided Peter
-or-
Peter, full of the Holy Spirit (Good News Translation)

The clause here refers to a special filling of the Holy Spirit, as in 4:31, 13:9, and 13:52. It does not imply that the Holy Spirit had left Peter some time between 2:4 and this verse, or that he needed a second filling. See the Good News Translation example above.

filled with the Holy Spirit: This phrase describes when the Holy Spirit clearly guides someone in what to say or enables him or her to do something. It implies something more than the Holy Spirit living in believers each day. Here the Holy Spirit guided Peter, like the prophets of the Old Testament, in what to say to the rulers and elders. Here is another way to translate this:

was full of the power of the Holy Spirit
-or-
the Holy Spirit guided/empowered
-or-
joined by the Holy Spirit and from that

Holy Spirit: This phrase refers to the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is God, together with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is Spirit in the sense that he is a living being who does not have a physical body. He is Holy in the sense that he is God and unique from every other being. He is perfect in every way and is completely pure and sinless. Here are some other ways to translate Holy Spirit:

Spirit/Breath of God
-or-
God’s Spirit
-or-
Holy/Sacred Spirit

The Holy Spirit is not a ghost of a dead person. Your translation should not imply this or that God has died.

See how you translated this term in 2:38.

4:8b

said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people…”: In contrast to the way the leaders scornfully questioned the apostles, Peter addressed them respectfully, using two of the three titles for the Jewish ruling council used in 4:5. In some languages this respect must be made explicit after the leaders disrespected them. For example:

said ⌊respectfully⌋ to them: “Rulers and elders of the people…”
-or-
said to them: “⌊Esteemed⌋ rulers and elders of the people…”

Rulers and elders of the people: See how you translated Rulers and elders in 4:5. However, Peter was addressing them here, not describing them. For example:

Leaders of the people and important men

the people: Here this phrase refers to the Jewish people. Peter and John were also Jews. In some languages a literal translation would imply that Peter and John were not Jews. If that is true in your language, indicate that Peter and John were also Jews. For example:

our(incl) people

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