SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:2

2:2a

a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heaven can mean either “heaven” or “sky.” Some languages must choose between using “heaven” or “sky.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek word:

(1) It means heaven, the place where God dwells. For example:

heaven (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), English Standard Version, New Century Version)

(2) It means sky. For example:

the sky (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

a sound…came from heaven: In some languages a verb different than came must be used here. For example:

a sound was heard from heaven
-or-

⌊they⌋ heard a sound from heaven

a mighty rushing wind: Here the word mighty indicates that the wind was very strong. In some languages a different word is used for that meaning. For example:

the blowing of a violent wind (New International Version)
-or-
a strong, driving wind, a noise (Revised English Bible)

2:2b

filled the whole house: This phrase indicates that people everywhere in the house clearly heard that sound. In some languages a different verb must be used here. For example:

enveloped the whole house
-or-
took over the whole house
-or-
reverberated inside the house
-or-
was heard in every corner of the house

sitting: The people were probably sitting on the floor with their legs crossed. You should use the normal word for sitting in your language.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:34

2:34a

For: This conjunction For introduces an explanation for what Peter said about Jesus in 2:33. Peter knew that Jesus was with God because Psalm 110:1 indicated that the Christ would sit there. Consider how to indicate that 2:34c–35 explains why Peter said that Jesus was exalted and with God. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Indeed,
-or-
Listen,

David did not ascend into heaven: This clause implies that David was not the Christ. The phrase ascend into heaven refers specifically here to the promise for the Christ.

In some languages a literal translation would imply that David was not a good person or that God rejected David. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in the text. For example:

David did not ascend to heaven ⌊as the Christ⌋

• Translate literally and explain in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This clause implies that David was not the Christ. The phrase “ascend to heaven” refers specifically here to the promise for the Christ.

heaven: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heaven can mean either “heaven” or “sky.” Here it refers to the place where God lives. See how you translated heaven in 1:11.

2:34b

but he himself says: The word he is emphasized in the Greek text. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this by using the pronoun himself.

2:34c

The quote in 2:34c–35 is from Psalm 110:1. You may want to include this information in a footnote or cross-reference in your translation.

The Lord said to my Lord: This clause indicates that God spoke to someone whom David called my Lord. In 2:36 Peter indicated that the words my Lord refer to Jesus, the Christ. But 2:34c–35 is a quote from Psalm 110:1, so you should not try to explain the connection here.

The Lord: The word Lord means “master,” or “the one who has authority over others.” See how you translated this word in 1:6.

my Lord: This refers to a different person than “the Lord” above. It may be more clear in some languages to use a different word than Lord here that a similar meaning. For example:

my Master/Chief
-or-
my ⌊Big⌋ Leader

2:34d

Sit at My right hand: In Jewish culture the seat at the right side of the king was the position of highest honor and authority under the king. Here God told David’s “Lord” to take this position of honor and to rule along with him (God).

In some languages this implied information may not be clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

In Jewish culture the seat at the right side of the king was the position of highest honor and authority next to the king.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 3:20

3:20a

Some English versions like the New International Version include 3:20a as part of 3:19. However, the UBS Handbook Greek New Testament (UBS5) puts this clause at the beginning of 3:20 as does the Berean Standard Bible. Put this text in the same place that the major language version in your area puts it.

that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as refreshing also means “rest.” This phrase probably refers to times when God will do things for them that will give them joy and encouragement. It may also refer to times when God will relieve believers from being persecuted. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

times of comfort may come from the Lord
-or-
the Lord God will strengthen your hearts
-or-
times of encouraging your livers will be coming/arriving from God

the Lord: Here this word refers to God. Some languages must say who this refers to. For example:

Lord ⌊God⌋

3:20b

He may send Jesus, the Christ: This clause refers to the second coming of Jesus. Some languages must clearly indicate that. For example:

he may send the Christ ⌊again⌋

Some languages must say where the Christ will be sent. If that is true in your language, refer generally to believers. For example:

he may send the Christ ⌊to his people⌋

Jesus, the Christ: This phrase indicates that Jesus is the Christ. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

that is, Jesus (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
even Jesus (New International Version)

3:20c

who has been appointed for you: This clause further describes the Christ. It does not separate Christ from other Christs. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

He has been appointed for you.

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

whom ⌊God⌋ has appointed for you

has been appointed: The Greek indicates that God chose Jesus before this time. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

has already been chosen
-or-
was ordained

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:26

4:26a–b

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One: Both clauses, The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, have the same purpose: to go against the Lord and against His Anointed One. Here are some other ways to indicate that:

The kings of the earth took their stand against the Lord and against his Anointed One, and the rulers gathered to do likewise
-or-
The kings of the earth stood together, and the rulers assembled together, against the Lord and against his Christ (NET Bible)

4:26a

take their stand: This phrase indicates that the kings went and stood in preparation to go against God and his Anointed One. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

went and stood in preparation ⌊to go⌋
-or-
take up position (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
prepare to fight (New Century Version)

The tense on the Greek verb usually indicates past tense. It is the same tense as on the Greek word translated “gathered.”

4:26b

the Lord: This phrase refers here to God. In some languages a literal translation would refer to Jesus. If that is true in your language, make it clearly refer to God. For example:

the Lord ⌊God⌋
-or-

⌊God⌋ the Lord

His Anointed One: In Psalm 2:2, this phrase refers to the Jewish king at that time, many hundreds of years before Jesus. In 4:27 Luke interprets Psalm 2:2 to be a prophecy about Jesus as the Christ, the Greek word that means “anointed one.” But Luke here is only quoting Scripture and not yet interpreting it, so you should translate it without capital letters. For example:

his anointed one (New International Version (2011))

Anointed One: When God chose someone for a special task, God’s spokesman would pour oil on his head as a symbol of that choosing (for example, Samuel anointed Saul to be king in 1 Samuel 9:15–16). Many languages do not have a custom of anointing like this. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning. For example:

chosen one

The Greek word is literally “Christ.” But it would be incorrect to use that word with all its Christian meaning in a quote from the Old Testament.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:21

5:21a

At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts as they had been told: The Greek is more literally “and, having heard, they entered the temple at daybreak.” The words “having heard” refers to what the angel told them in 5:20. It indicates that the apostles had heard and were ready to obey what the angel told them as soon as the gates to the temple courts were opened at daybreak.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

After hearing that, they entered the temple courts at dawn

At daybreak: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as daybreak refers to the time when the sun begins to rise above the horizon, or any time near to that time. Here are some other ways to translate this:

at dawn (Good News Translation)
-or-
when the sun was coming up

the temple courts: The Greek is “the temple” but refers to the temple area, as in 5:20. See how you translated this phrase there.

5:21b

began to teach: The Greek tense of the word teach indicates ongoing action. They were teaching over the next days and weeks. But the apostles were also teaching earlier (4:2, 18). Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

began again to teach

Some languages can imply an ongoing action with the simple past or similar tense. For example:

and taught (Revised Standard Version)

the people: The Berean Standard Bible adds these words to make clear whom the apostles were teaching. Some languages would not need to add them for the correct meaning.

Paragraph 5:21c–24

5:21c

When the high priest and his associates arrived: This happened on the same day as the apostles beginning to preach again (5:21b). For example:

⌊That day,⌋ when the high priest and his associates arrived

This event has not been mentioned before. In some languages it is more natural to omit the word When. You will then need to add “and” after arrived. For example:

⌊That day,⌋ the high priest and his associates arrived and

the high priest and his associates: The phrase the high priest and his associates is the same group as in 5:17a. See how you translated it there.

arrived: Here this word probably refers to the place where the Sanhedrin usually met.

5:21d

they convened: This phrase indicates that the high priest and his associates sent a message to all the men who belong to the Sanhedrin, for them to gather for a meeting. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

they summoned (NET Bible)
-or-
they called…to meet/gather

the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel: There are two ways to interpret the connection between the Sanhedrin and the full assembly of the elders of Israel here:

(1) The phrase the full assembly of the elders of Israel explains the phrase the Sanhedrin. For example:

the Sanhedrin, the full Council of the Israelite nation, (Revised English Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(2) The full assembly of the elders of Israel was a separate group from the Sanhedrin. For example:

the council and all the senate of Israel (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because we know of no document of that time that supports two groups here (interpretation (2)).

Sanhedrin: This word refers to a group of people who made decisions that affected all or some of the Jews. In the New Testament it is often used as a name for the Jewish ruling council, as here. They made laws and set political policy (all subject to the Roman governor). They made decisions relating to the temple and to the worship there. This group of Jewish leaders also were the judges in the main court of the Jews. You may want to:

• Translate this word as a name. You may then want to explain its meaning in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This word refers to the Jewish ruling council.

• Translate the meaning of the name. For example:

council (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
highest Jewish council of leaders
-or-
the Jewish ruling group

5:21e

sent to the jail for the apostles: In Greek this sentence is more literally “they sent to the jail for them to be brought.” It indicates that the high priest and his associates sent someone to bring the apostles from the jail. Here are some other ways to translate this:

sent to the prison to have them brought (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they sent orders to the prison to have the apostles brought before them (Good News Translation)

The Greek clause ‘to be brought’ is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

They sent some men to the jail to bring the apostles to them (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 6:12

6:12a

So: The Greek word here indicates a close/strong connection to the previous sentence. But it probably does not mean “therefore” here. (So in English can indicate a more general but close connection.) Here are some other ways to translate this word:

And likewise
-or-
Also

they stirred up the people: Here the word they probably refers to the members of the “Synagogue of the Freedman” (6:9a–b).

stirred up: This phrase refers to causing people to be angry about something. Here they made people angry with Stephen.

the people: This phrase probably refers to people of Jerusalem, implying Jews who lived there.

elders: Here this word refers to respected leaders in the Jewish community. They were probably not religious leaders. See how you translated this word in 4:5.

scribes: This phrase refers to men who studied, interpreted, and taught the law of Moses. See how you translated this phrase in 4:5.

6:12b

They seized him: Here the word They probably refers to same people referred to by “they” in 6:12a.

seized: This word refers to forcefully grabbing someone. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

took hold of
-or-
captured

Sanhedrin: This is the name of the Jewish ruling council. See how you translated it in 5:21.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:29

15:29a–c

food sacrificed to idols: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as food sacrificed to idols refers to food given to the priests at pagan temples. The priests would kill the animals and cook the animals and other food as an honor to the pagan deity. Then they would share it with those worshiping the pagan deity. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

food that has been offered to idols (Good News Translation)
-or-
what has been sacrificed to idols (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
food that has been used to worship idols
-or-
food that people have sacrificed to idols

idols: The idols are statues or other physical representations of a god. People bow down in front of the idol to worship that god. See how you translated this word in 15:20.

15:29b–c

from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality: See how you translated these phrases in 15:20.

15:29d

You will do well: Like the Greek, this English clause indicates both that the person will do what is right and his life will be good.

15:29e

Farewell: The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Farewell literally means “be strong.” It was a common way to end letters. It indicated a desire on the part of the writer that things would go well for the person or persons who read the letter.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:20

16:20a

magistrates: This word refers to administrative officials of the Roman Empire who had the highest legal authority within their city or domain. Here it probably refers to judges whose duty was to judge cases in court. Another way to translate this word is:

judges ⌊of the city⌋

Magistrates were only some of the authorities (16:19d).

said: Paul and Silas preached the gospel of Jesus. They were not trying to cause an uproar. Romans generally did not like people trying to convert others away from the Roman religion.

The accusation of the owners was misleading. They did not talk about the girl but instead said the words of 16:20b–21 to make the leaders angry at Paul and Silas. They succeeded. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Paul and Silas were in fact trying to cause an uproar. If that is true in your language, include some of the implied information. For example:

⌊deceitfully/deceptively⌋ said

16:20b

These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil: The Greek words are literally “These men are disturbing our city, being Jews.” This indicates that the reason the owners gave for Paul and Silas disturbing the city was that they were Jews. For example:

The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
These men, being Jews, are disturbing our city!

These men: This phrase indicates that the owners had contempt for Paul and Silas. If possible, indicate or imply contempt in how you translate this phrase.

are throwing…into turmoil: This phrase refers to causing the people to be upset. Other ways to translate it are:

are throwing our city into confusion (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
are stirring up a lot of trouble (God’s Word)
-or-
causing a great disturbance (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

our city: At that time probably several thousand people lived in Philippi. It had a high status as a Roman colony, so the people called it a city. In some languages the word “town” is more appropriate for this size city.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021