SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:8

1:8a

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you: Here Jesus told them what they did need to know, in contrast to what they did not need to know in 1:7. In some languages a literal translation would not indicate contrast to God setting the times and dates. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain in your translation. For example:

But ⌊instead of needing to know such things,⌋ you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you
-or-
However, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you

• Allow the other words of 1:7–8 to indicate the contrast and do not translate the conjunction But. For example:

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you

you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you: This clause indicates that the Holy Spirit would soon come to them and enable them to do what God wants them to do, including to tell others about him. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit which will come on you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power (New Century Version)

you will receive power: In English, the word receive implies someone else willingly gave what was received, and the word “take” does not imply that someone else willingly gave it. It is implied here that God willingly gave the power.

In some languages the same word is used for both “receive” and “take.” In some of those languages a literal translation would indicate that the believers took the power or that God did not give it willingly. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a different word than receive. For example:

you will be given power
-or-

⌊God⌋ will give power to you

1:8b–c

and you will be My witnesses: The phrase My witnesses indicates that the apostles would tell others what they knew personally about Jesus. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

you will be witnesses for me (Good News Translation)
-or-
you will tell ⌊people⌋ what you know concerning me
-or-
you will announce my good news

Jerusalem: Jerusalem was (and is) the capital of Israel, then called Judea.

and in all Judea: Judea was the name of a region or province that the Romans, or one of their vassal kings, ruled. It was one of the areas where Jews lived.

Jerusalem was in the province of Judea. In some languages a literal translation would indicate or imply that Judea was in a different place. If that is true in your language, explain it in your translation. For example:

in all ⌊the rest of⌋ ⌊the province of⌋ Judea

and Samaria: Samaria was a region or district north of Judea. The Samaritan people lived there.

and to the ends of the earth: This phrase is an idiom that refers to the farthest places from where the person was. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the farthest places of the earth
-or-
everywhere else in the world
-or-
to earth’s remotest corners
-or-
as far as the entire world

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:14

Section 2:14–42

Peter preached, and many people believed in Jesus

In this section Peter spoke to the crowd. His speech began with a one-paragraph introduction. In the introduction, he greeted the crowd, asked them to listen carefully, and told them that the believers were not drunk. He also quoted Joel 2:28–32. In the main part of the speech he spoke about Jesus and God’s plan for him. He told them some of King David’s words about the Christ. He told them that those words applied to Jesus. Peter gave his main point at the end of his speech, that Jesus is the Christ.

The people asked Peter what they should do, so he told them to repent and believers would baptize them. Many people became believers and joined the other believers.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Peter Talks to the Crowd (God’s Word)
-or-
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost (English Standard Version)
-or-
Peter explains the fulfilment of God’s promise (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Paragraph 2:14–21

2:14a

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice, and addressed the crowd: Someone needed to explain the miracle, because those people didn’t know what to think about it. Also, the people in 2:13 tried to explain it in a wrong way. So Peter spoke for all of the apostles and other believers.

stood up: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stood up indicates that he moved to a place where he could easily speak to the whole crowd. Peter and the other believers were probably not sitting at this time. They probably left the house or room (2:1) when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

taking his stand (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
stepped forward (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
went and stood ⌊before the crowd⌋

the Eleven: This phrase refers to the other eleven apostles. For example:

the other eleven apostles (Good News Translation)

The word Eleven probably only refers to a number. It is probably not a title like the Berean Standard Bible makes it by capitalizing it. Many English versions do not capitalize this word.

lifted up his voice: This phrase indicates that he spoke loudly so that all of the crowd could hear him. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

raised his voice (New International Version)
-or-
in a loud voice (Good News Translation)
-or-
loudly

addressed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as addressed is literally “declared.” It implies he had something important to say. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

declared (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
spoke in a…clear voice (Contemporary English Version)

the crowd: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the crowd is literally “them” (as in the Revised Standard Version). But it refers to the crowd of 2:6–13.

2:14b

Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem: It was customary at that time and place to name the people spoken to when beginning a speech. Peter did so here. This address is polite and respectful. Consider how to indicate that in your language.

Men of Judea: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Men of Judea is literally “men, Jews/Judeans.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase:

(1) It refers to those Jews who lived in Judea. For example:

Men of Judea (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, God’s Word, NET Bible, King James Version)

(2) It refers to Jews in general. For example:

Fellow Jews (Good News Translation)

(New International Version, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because this meaning fits better with the next phrase.

all who dwell in Jerusalem: This phrase probably refers to all the rest of the crowd. This would be Jews and converts to Judaism who were not born in Judea but lived in Jerusalem at that time. It probably included those who were just visiting Jerusalem because they probably stayed for the whole week of the Jewish holy day and festival. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

everyone else living in Jerusalem (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
all the others here in Jerusalem

2:14c

let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words: The Greek verbs that the Berean Standard Bible has translated as let this be known to you and listen carefully, are commands. They are polite requests to get their attention. Consider how to translate these commands as polite requests to listen and hear the explanation of the earlier event. For example:

Allow me to explain this ⌊event⌋ to you. ⌊Please⌋ listen carefully to what I say

The word this refers to 2:15a–36b. It does not refer to listen carefully to my words. In some languages it is more natural to have the second command first. For example:

listen carefully to what I say. Let me explain this to you:

let this be known to you: The Berean Standard Bible literally represents the Greek here. The word this refers to the events of 2:1–4. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

let me explain that to you
-or-
let me tell you what this means (Good News Translation)

listen carefully to my words: The Greek is literally “give ear to my words” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This clause encourages the listeners to listen well. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

give heed to my words (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Listen carefully (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
pay attention to what I say (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:47

2:47a

praising God: This phrase means “express approval of God, speak well of God.” In some languages there may be an idiom to express this.

enjoying the favor of all the people: This clause indicates that all of the other people in Jerusalem thought well of the believers. At that time, people had not yet begun to oppose them, but instead everyone was kind to the believers. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

all the people were pleased with them
-or-
were liked by all the people (New Century Version)

2:47b

the Lord added to their number: This clause indicates that every day more people responded to the call of God to believe in Jesus. They then joined the group of believers. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the Lord added to their group (Good News Translation)
-or-
the Lord added to their community (New Jerusalem Bible)

the Lord: Some scholars believe that the word Lord refers here to Jesus. Other scholars believe that it refers here to God. If possible, do not add “Jesus” or “God” in your translation. But some languages must add one or the other. If that is true in your language, add “God” because of 2:39b.

their number: The word their refers to those who were already believers.

those who were being saved: The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

those whom God saved
-or-
Every day the Lord saved people (God’s Word)

were being saved: The Greek tense indicates that this event was ongoing. It happened every day.

saved: See how you translated this word in 2:21.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:6

4:6a

along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander:
This verse in Greek just lists the names: “and Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander.” But these people were some of the rulers (4:5). The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as along with can also mean “namely” or “that is.”

high priest: The high priest was the leader of all the Jewish priests. In New Testament times, he was also the leader of the Jewish supreme court. He was the chief judge and had great power and influence. All Jewish priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people, but the high priest offered certain special sacrifices that no other priest could offer. In a special way, he represented the Jewish people to God. Here are some other ways to translate high priest:

the chief/leader of all the priests
-or-
the main/principal priest
-or-
the highest/leading priest

John: This John is a different person than the disciple named John.

4:6b

and many others from the high priest’s family: This phrase probably indicates that Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men were all related to Annas. (John 18:13 tells us that Caiaphas was actually Annas’ son-in-law.) Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the other men who were Annas’ relatives
-or-
the other relatives of the Big Priest

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:1

Section 5:1–11

God judged Ananias and Sapphira

In this section Ananias and Sapphira sold some land. They kept some of the money for themselves and gave the rest to the apostles. First Ananias went to Peter. The context seems to imply that he lied to Peter and said it was the whole amount. The Holy Spirit told Peter what Ananias had done and Peter rebuked him. Immediately Ananias died by the hand of God. Later Sapphira lied to Peter and he rebuked her. Immediately she died. The rest of the believers became very afraid.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit and died
-or-
Ananias and Sapphira’s bad example

Paragraph 5:1–2

5:1

It is not known how much time after Barnabas sold his land (4:36–37) that Ananias and Sapphira sold their land. Also, you should not begin this verse with “Therefore.”

Now: The Greek word here often indicates contrast. The deeds of Ananias and his wife in 5:1–2 clearly contrast with what Barnabas did in 4:36–37. For example:

But (Good News Translation)

Here the English word Now introduces a new part of the story. It does not mean “at this moment” here.

a man named Ananias: The Greek is more literally “a certain man, Ananias by name.” It indicates that Ananias was a new person in this story. For example:

there was a man named Ananias (Good News Translation)

also sold: The Berean Standard Bible adds the word also. It indicates that this was the second example of someone selling property and giving the money to the apostles. The first example is in Acts 4:36–37.

a piece of property: This phrase is an idiom that refers to some amount of land. It does not say how much. It may have been only a part of all of his land but this phrase does not tell us that. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

some land (New Century Version)
-or-
some property (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
an amount of land
-or-
a property (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:33

Paragraph 5:33–40

5:33a

When the Council members heard this: The word this refers to Peter’s reply in 5:29–32. In some languages “that” would indicate the correct meaning. For example:

When they heard that
-or-
When they heard those words

the Council members: This phrase refers to the Jewish leaders. In some languages that may be unclear. For example:

the leaders (New Century Version)

they were enraged: The word enraged means that they were very angry.

5:33b

they resolved:
The Greek tense indicates that it was not only at that moment that they decided to do this. They had wanted to do this from the time Peter spoke 5:29–32 until the time Gamaliel convinced them to not kill the apostles (5:40). For example:

were wanting (LEB)
-or-
began wanting

to put the apostles to death: The Greek word is more literally “remove them.” Here it is a figure of speech that means “kill as a punishment for a crime.” The apostles had not done anything worthy of a sentence of death, but the leaders were so angry that they wanted to kill them in this way. Here are some other ways to translate this:

execute (God’s Word)
-or-
kill (Revised Standard Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:9

15:9a–b

He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith: The Berean Standard Bible adds the word for. The verse in Greek indicates a connection exists but does not indicate which kind of connection. The clause He cleansed their hearts by faith probably explains something about God making no distinction. Some ways to translate this are:

in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us (New Revised Standard Version)

15:9a

He made no distinction between us and them: The word distinction refers to regarding two things as different. Jews thought that Gentiles were different than them and they believed that Gentiles could not be accepted by God unless they became Jews first. But God showed that he accepts both Jews and Gentiles because they believe in Jesus. Other ways to translate this are:

He sees/considers no difference between us and them
-or-
To God, those people are not different from us. (New Century Version)
-or-
God treated them in the same way that he treated us. (Contemporary English Version)

15:9b

He cleansed their hearts: Here the verb cleansed refers figuratively to removing evil from the mind and spirit. The verb does not refer to literal washing here. Other ways to translate this clause are:

he cleansed their hearts/stomachs
-or-
he made their hearts pure (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he removed filth from their liver/insides

by faith: These Gentiles believed in Jesus. Therefore God purified their hearts. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

due to ⌊their⌋ faith
-or-
because they believed/trusted ⌊in Jesus⌋
-or-
they believed, and so he purified their hearts

faith: The word faith is a noun that means the same thing as “believe” in 15:7c. In some languages a verb must be used. For example:

believing ⌊in Jesus Christ⌋
-or-
believing ⌊that Jesus is the Christ⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:41

15:41a

And he traveled: Using the pronoun he indicates that Paul was the leader. Silas went with him and helped him. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Paul went alone. If that is true in your language, you may want to indicate that Silas went too. For example:

He ⌊took Silas and⌋ went

Syria and Cilicia: These names refer to two Roman provinces. See how you spelled these names in 15:23.

15:41b

strengthening the churches: This means that Paul (and Silas) encouraged the believers in Syria and Cilicia to follow Jesus well. For example:

encouraging the churches (Contemporary English Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021