This verse begins with the phrase “the apostles Barnabas and Paul” (Good News Translation Barnabas and Paul), but since “the apostles” was stated explicitly as the object of the intended sacrifice in the preceding verse, it is unnecessary to repeat this qualifier. In the Greek text the verb heard has no expressed object, but the reference is to all that was described in verse 13; therefore the Good News Translation has given what they were about to do as the object of heard.

Barnabas and Paul tore their clothes as a protest against the intended action of the crowd. In Jewish rabbinic literature, the tearing of one’s clothes is given as the proper reaction towards blasphemy (see Mark 14.63); but perhaps also the apostles realized that if they behaved in this fashion, they might more easily convince the crowds that they were merely men, and not gods.

The tearing of clothes obviously has quite different cultural meanings in different societies. It may be necessary to have some kind of marginal note at this point to explain to the reader precisely what is involved in this action of tearing the clothes. Such an action might, in fact, suggest to many people that Paul and Barnabas had simply become insane. In some languages one can suggest something of the purpose of tearing the clothes by translating as “they tore their clothes in protest” or “they tore their clothes to show they did not approve of what was happening.” However, this supplement to the text is not sufficient in most instances, and some marginal note is necessary.

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 .