The use of the expression went up in referring to going to Jerusalem (and, conversely, “going down” when going away from Jerusalem) reflects, of course, the geographical position of Jerusalem which was higher than most of the surrounding area. In translating such expressions as “going up” and “going down” it is not wise to use terms which suggest that Jerusalem is on top of some very high mountain, only that it is at the top of a ridge of hills. In many languages, however, the most natural and accurate equivalent is simply “went to.”

Those who were in favor of circumcising Gentiles translates “those of circumcision,” a phrase which is taken by many as a reference to Jewish Christians (see Barclay “Jewish Christians”), while other translations understand it to refer solely to “the Jews” (so Jerusalem Bible). Most translations are ambiguous and do not indicate specifically whether Jewish Christians or Jews are meant (see Moffatt, Revised Standard Version, Phillips “the circumcision party,” and An American Translation* “the advocates of circumcision”). The total context, however, and the evident concern of Peter to justify what he had done, would seem to point to the fact that those who were criticizing Peter constituted a group of Christians who still held to a belief in the necessity of circumcision.

Criticized, reflecting in Greek a verb which is sometimes used as a legal technical term meaning “to enter into legal controversy (with someone)” (see Septuagint of Ezekiel 20.35), is represented by Barclay as “questioned his action” and by New English Bible as “raised the question with him.” It is obvious that in the present context it does not have the force of a technical legal term.

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 .