The transitional expression and now indicates that the speaker, though treating the same general theme, is approaching it from a somewhat different perspective, namely, the implication of what has happened for the people in question. This aspect is reinforced by the introduction of the expression my brothers. In a number of languages this is simply equivalent to “fellow tribesmen,” “relatives,” or even “friends.” The use of a specific term such as “brothers” in this more general meaning is relatively restricted.

The leaders are the chief priests and the scribes who took the leading part in accusing Jesus before Pilate.

The translation of the expression because of your ignorance is not easy since it can be interpreted in so many different ways. This is certainly no reference to the general ignorance of the people. It is simply “because you didn’t understand really what you were doing” or, as in some languages, “you didn’t understand the meaning of what you were doing.” These people obviously knew what they were doing in betraying and rejecting Jesus, but they did not understand the significance of what they were doing. It is this aspect of ignorance which must be made quite clear.

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 .