SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:14

1:14a

With one accord…continued in prayer: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as continued in prayer is literally “devoting (themselves) with one mind.” The phrase “devoting (themselves)” indicates that the apostles put much time and effort in praying. The phrase “with one mind” indicates that they were united in purpose and agreed in many ways during their praying. The whole Greek phrase implies that they gathered together in order to pray. It indicates that the apostles and other believers prayed together often and regularly. It does not indicate that they prayed all the time and did nothing else. For example:

with one accord devoted themselves to prayer (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
were of one purpose and prayed often

prayer: This word refers to what people say to God. It can include both requests and praises.

they all: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they all refers to the eleven apostles (1:13b–d).

1:14b

the women: These women were probably those who had believed in Jesus, accompanied him and the apostles, and had helped them in practical ways during Jesus’ ministry. For example:

the women who had followed Jesus (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

His brothers: Church groups differ in what they believe about Jesus’ brothers. Here are the three main views:

(1) They were the sons of Joseph and Mary, born after Jesus.

(2) They were Jesus’ cousins.

(3) They were children of Joseph from a previous marriage. That is, they were Jesus’ step-brothers.

The Hebrew and Aramaic words for “brother” do not distinguish between biological brothers and cousins. It is good to use a general word for “brother” that could apply to any of the views above. For example, you may have a word that could refer to:

(a) brothers with the same father and mother, and

(b) brothers with the same father but different mothers, and

If you must use a more specific word, it is recommended that you consult with all major church groups in your language area. You will want to choose a word that is acceptable to the churches.

If your language must distinguish between “older” and “younger” brothers, it is recommended that you use a term for “younger brothers” here. If your language does not use terms that distinguish male and female, such as brother or sister, it may be more natural to use general terms. For example:

siblings
-or-
younger-siblings

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:20

2:20a

The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood: This clause is passive. Some languages must use a clause that is not passive. For example:

⌊God⌋ will turn the sun to darkness and the moon to blood
-or-
The sun will become dark, and the moon will become as red as blood (God’s Word)

The sun will be turned to darkness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as turned is literally “changed.” God will cause or plan this event or events. In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

⌊God⌋ will cause the sun to become dark

darkness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as darkness can also mean “gloomy.” So it is possible that some of the light of the sun will still shine on the earth.

the moon to blood: The verb phrase “will be turned” is implied here but not repeated. God will cause the moon to become the color of blood or cause the smoke or dust to block the light of the moon so that it looks red like blood.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

⌊God⌋ will cause the moon to become ⌊red like⌋ blood

2:20b

before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord: The word before indicates that the wonders and signs, including the sun turning dark and the moon turning red, will happen soon before the Day of the Lord.

the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord: The verb coming refers to when the day of the Lord occurs. In some languages the verb “come” cannot be used for a Day. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

when the great and glorious day of the Lord occurs

the…Day of the Lord: This phrase refers to the time when God will gather all people, alive or dead, and judge them.

the Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Lord means “master, owner.” See how you translated this word in 1:6.

This word refers here to God. He is master or owner over all things. In some languages it is more natural to include the word “God” here. For example:

the Lord ⌊God⌋

great: This word means “important” here, because of what God will do at that time. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

valuable
-or-
very big
-or-
important/high

glorious: The word glorious here refers to something being wonderful or remarkable. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

notable (King James Version)
-or-
magnificent (English Standard Version)
-or-
resplendent (Revised English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 3:6

3:6a

Silver or gold I do not have: The phrase Silver or gold is emphasized. If possible, emphasize this phrase in your language. For example:

What I do not have is silver or gold
-or-
I have no silver or gold at all
-or-
I have absolutely no money

Silver or gold: Here the phrase Silver or gold refers to money. At that time the only money that people made was coins of silver, gold, brass, or copper. A silver coin was worth a whole day’s wages for a farm worker. A gold coin was worth a lot more.

In some languages a literal translation would not refer to money. If that is true in your language, you may want to indicate the correct meaning in your translation. For example:

Silver or gold ⌊coins⌋
-or-
money (Good News Translation)

but what I have I give you: The phrase what I have is emphasized. If possible, emphasize this phrase in your language. For example:

I certainly have something to give to you
-or-
there is something that I have that I can give to you

Peter did not have money. But he did have the power of Jesus Christ to do miracles. So Peter implied here that he could heal the crippled man by the power of Jesus Christ. But he does not say what he can do until 3:6b.

In some languages a literal translation would refer only to material objects. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

what I can do I will do for you

3:6b

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!: There is a textual issue here.

(1) Some Greek texts have the word walk. For example:

in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word)

(2) Some Greek texts have the words get up and walk. For example:

in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I order you to get up and walk (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, English Standard Version, King James Version, New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1).

In the name of Jesus Christ: Here this phrase means “by the authority of Jesus Christ.” Peter commanded the man to walk on the basis of the authority and power of Jesus Christ. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

By the power of Jesus Christ (New Century Version)
-or-
On-account-of the power of the name of Jesu Cristo
-or-
under/in the authority of Jesus ⌊as the⌋ Christ

Christ: Here the word Christ is used as a title. It is not just one of Jesus’ names. The Jews used the title Christ to refer to the person whom God had appointed and promised to send as king and savior. The title Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah,” and the two words have the same meaning. Here are some ways to translate Christ:

• Use a title or a descriptive phrase in your language that has the same meaning as Christ. For example:

Messiah
-or-
Promised Deliverer
-or-
the Rescuer-King whom God sent

• Transliterate Christ and include a phrase that explains the meaning. For example:

Christ, the appointed one
-or-
Cristo, the savior God promised
-or-
the Christ who comes from God

• Transliterate it and indicate in some way that it is a title. For example:

the Kirisita

See how you translated this word in 2:31b.

of Nazareth: This phrase indicates that Jesus Christ was from the town of Nazareth. See how you translated it in 2:22.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:12

4:12a

Salvation exists in no one else: In Greek this clause is literally “and the salvation is not in no one else.” The word “the” implies the specific salvation by the Messiah that the Jews have been waiting for. Here the “not” and the “no” combine to indicate a strong “no.” Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

In no one else does salvation exist
-or-
there is salvation in no one else (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Only ⌊he⌋ can save us, no one else ⌊can⌋

Salvation: This word refers to someone rescuing others from something harmful or dangerous. Here it refers to being saved from spiritual dangers like sin and its punishment. In some languages a verb must be used for this meaning. For example:

saving/rescuing

4:12b

for: This conjunction introduces an explanation for what Peter said in 4:12a.

there is no other name under heaven given to men: The verb given is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ has given no other name under heaven to men/people

name: The word name here refers to the person of Jesus, rather than to just his name or his power. God saves people through Jesus (4:12c). Using his name like a word of magic or power does not save people. In some languages a literal translation would imply incorrect things. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

The word “name” here refers to the person of Jesus. God gave him to us to save us.

• Refer to person of Jesus. For example:

person/man

under heaven: The phrase under heaven is an idiom that refers to everywhere in the world. In some languages a literal translation would have a different meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain its meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

The words “under heaven” refers to everywhere in the world.

• Translate the meaning of the idiom. For example:

everywhere
-or-
in all the world (Good News Translation)

to men: Here this phrase indicates that the name was given in relationship to people. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

among people (NET Bible)
-or-
to us humans

4:12c

by which: This refers to “name” in 4:12b. For example:

by this name (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
by that name

we must be saved: In Greek this clause is literally “(it is) necessary for us to be saved.” It indicates that only Jesus can save us from God’s punishment for our sins. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

we can be saved only by the power of the one named Jesus (God’s Word)
-or-
It is only Jesus who can save us

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

who can save us (Good News Translation)

saved: This word means “to rescue from danger or trouble.” Here it refers to being rescued from the spiritual dangers of sin and the punishment from God that results from sinning. It is the verb that means the same thing as “salvation” in 4:12a.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit what people are saved from. If that is true in your language, explain what people are saved from but do not be too specific. For example:

rescued ⌊from hell⌋
-or-
rescued ⌊from God’s punishment for sin⌋

See how you translated saved in 2:21.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:7

Paragraph 5:7–11

5:7a

About three hours later: People in that place and time counted twelve hours from sunrise to sunset. The actual amount of time between sunrise and sunset could be shorter or longer, depending on the time of year. But three hours would be one-quarter of the daylight time. (This would be, for example, from the sun being half way up to it being fully up at the middle of the day. But in these verses we do not know when in the day this time began.)

Some languages do not count the time in a day by hours. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Refer to the amount of daytime. For example:

About a quarter of the daytime later

• Use the major language word for hours. For example:

About 3 awa later

his wife also: The word his refers to Ananias.

came in: Both “carried…out” (5:6b) and came in imply that Peter was in a building. The Greek does not tell us or imply what kind of building. (It was probably not any building in the temple area.)

If your language must say into what thing that Sapphira came, refer in general to a building. For example:

came into ⌊the building⌋

5:7b

unaware of what had happened: Sapphira did not know that her husband had died. Here is another way to translate this:

but she did not know what had happened

what had happened: This refers to Ananias dying.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:39

5:39a

if it is from God: Here the word it refers to “their purpose or endeavor” (5:38c).

you will not be able to stop them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stop is more literally “overthrow.” If God gave the apostles his plans and things to do, the Jewish leaders will not be able to make those plans and deeds result in nothing. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

will not be able to overthrow (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
will not be able to destroy (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

them: This word refers to the apostles.

5:39b

The Greek here begins with the word that means “lest” or “perhaps.” Bruce (1990) prefers the latter. For example:

Perhaps you…

But many English versions omit this word.

You may even find yourselves: The Greek is more literally “you might be found.” The Greek grammar indicates the meaning of “might” (something that will possibly happen) rather than “will” (something that will probably happen).

The Greek clause is passive. For example:

You might even be found (Revised Standard Version)

Some languages must translate the Greek passive using the “be” verb. For example:

You might even be

even: The Greek word here is often translated as “and” or sometimes even (as in the Berean Standard Bible). It emphasizes being found to be fighting God. This would be a surprising or unexpected outcome from opposing the apostles. For example:

even (Revised Standard Version)

fighting against God: This refers to doing things that oppose what God wants. Here are some other ways to translate this:

opposing God (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
at war with God (Revised English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:15

15:15a

The words of the prophets agree with this: The word words refers to various sayings of the prophets in the Old Testament. These various prophecies confirm what God did among the Gentiles, starting with Cornelius.

In some languages words must use a different verb phrase than agree with this. For example:

The sayings of the prophets confirm this
-or-
Various prophecies ⌊in scripture⌋ verify this

prophets: A “prophet” is a person who receives messages from God. The message from God (often called a “prophecy”) may be in words or visions. It may reveal something about a past, present, or future event, or it may reveal someone’s thoughts, motives, or attitudes. It is not like a sermon, prepared by the preacher’s study of the Bible, but God may inspire a preacher with a prophecy during a sermon. The person speaks the prophecy to the people or writes it down for their use. Other ways to translate the word prophets are:

spokespersons for God
-or-
people who speak/bring God’s message/words
-or-
God’s message-speakers

It is good to use a general term that does not focus only on foretelling the future.

When choosing a term for “prophet,” consider how you will distinguish “prophet” from other words such as “angel,” “apostle,” “evangelist,” and “preacher.”

See how you translated this word in 2:16 or 13:40.

this: Here this word refers to what happened in 15:14. In some languages, “that” is more natural.

15:15b

as it is written: This phrase introduces examples of prophecies from the Old Testament about God including some of the Gentiles among his people. Other ways to translate this are:

since the scriptures say: (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
for example, they wrote this ⌊in the scriptures⌋:
-or-
This agrees with what the prophets wrote, (Contemporary English Version)

it is written: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. The prophets wrote what God told them. For example:

what the prophets wrote (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:6

Section 16:6–10

Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia, calling to him to come

In this section, Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled through Phrygia, Galatia and arrived at Troas. Paul had a vision about a Macedonian man pleading with him to come to Macedonia to help the people there. So Paul and his companions went immediately.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia (New International Version)
-or-
A Call from Macedonia (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Paul Has a Vision (God’s Word)

Paragraph 16:6–10

16:6a

they: Here the Berean Standard Bible follows the verse in Greek, which refers only to they. Since 16:6 is the beginning of a new section, the New International Version explains who they refers to. The phrase “his companions” refers to Silas and Timothy. The New International Version probably names Paul because he was the leader.

traveled through: The Greek word here is literally “went-through.” It indicates that Paul and his companions probably went from one end of the region to the other end. But they had no goal like reaching Macedonia (16:9), so they probably visited many villages and towns. But they probably were not trying to visit every village and town in this region. For example:

went through (Revised Standard Version)

the region of Phrygia and Galatia:
This phrase may refer to a region that had connections to both Phrygia and Galatia. But it may refer to the region that covers both Phrygia and Galatia. For example:

the Phrygian and Galatian region (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
the areas of Phrygia and Galatia (New Century Version)

16:6b

After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia: This clause indicates the reason that Paul, Silas, and Timothy went throughout Phrygia and Galatia. For example:

because the Holy Spirit did not let them preach the message in the province of Asia (Good News Translation)

the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the Holy Spirit did not let them preach the Good News (New Century Version)

had prevented them: This phrase means “being prevented.” The Holy Spirit somehow prevented them from preaching in the province of Asia. It may have been by a prophecy, a vision, or other message from God.

the Holy Spirit: This phrase refers to the Spirit of God. See how you translated this phrase in 1:2 or 15:8.

speaking the word: This phrase refers to publicly telling others the message about Jesus. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

speaking the message (NET Bible)
-or-
preach the Good News (New Century Version)

the province of Asia: The Berean Standard Bible and some English versions add the phrase province of. At that time the name Asia referred to a region in what is now the western part of the country of Turkey. But in English the name now refers to the region of the world that includes the country of China. So the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions add the phrase province of to indicate the correct meaning. See how you translated this phrase in 2:9 or 6:9.

You may also want to explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

At that time, the name Asia referred to a province under Roman rule that was across the Aegean Sea east of Greece, in the western part of what is now the country of Turkey.

province: Here this word refers to a large area of land that the Romans conquered or ruled that is not in Italy, their homeland. It may refer to land that used to be ruled by another country, an independent country or to a group of countries. The Roman rulers put another Roman as the ruler over that province. Consider how to translate this word here.

General Comment on 16:6a–b

16:6a indicates the reason why Paul and his companions traveled throughout Phrygia and Galatia (16:6b), visiting many villages and towns. In some languages it is necessary or more natural to have the reason second. For example:

6bPaul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia 6abecause the Holy Spirit kept them from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021