16:28

Paul called out in a loud voice: This clause in Greek is literally “Paul shouted/called-out with a great voice.” For example:

Paul shouted at the top of his voice (Good News Translation)

The Berean Standard Bible allows the meaning “with a great voice” to be implied by the words called out in a loud voice.

Do not harm yourself! We are all here!: The Greek conjunction that is often translated “for” introduces the second clause. The second clause explains why the jailer should not harm himself. For example:

Do not harm yourself, for we are all here. (Revised Standard Version)

The Berean Standard Bible allows the context to indicate that the second clause is the reason and omits the Greek conjunction.

Do not harm yourself!: This clause in Greek is literally “Do nothing bad to yourself.” Paul somehow understood that the jailer was about to kill himself, so told him to not do that. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Don’t hurt yourself! (God’s Word)
-or-
Stop! Don’t kill yourself! (New Living Translation (2004))

© 2001, 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

17:20a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as For introduces this verse. It introduces an explanation why the leaders wanted to hear this new teaching (17:19c).

In some languages it may be more natural to omit the Greek conjunction.

you are bringing some strange notions to our ears: The phrase bringing…to our ears is an idiom for telling something. In the marketplace, Paul told them the gospel about Jesus and about God resurrecting people. 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:

You have been telling us some strange ideas
-or-
You are saying some rather strange things (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
We have heard you say some strange things (Contemporary English Version)

strange: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as strange refers to something surprising or startling. The philosophers had never heard anything like the gospel about Jesus before. For example:

startling (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
surprising (NET Bible)

17:20b

and: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and is usually translated as “so.” It introduces the result of the philosophers hearing strange ideas.

we want to know what they mean: This clause in Greek is literally “we desire to know what these things wish to mean.” The philosophers did not know the meaning of Paul’s teachings and they wanted to know it. Other ways to translate this clause are:

we wish to know…what these things mean (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
we would like to find out what they mean (New Jerusalem Bible)

© 2001, 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 18:18–22

Paul went to Ephesus, Caesarea, and Antioch

In this section, Paul stayed in Corinth for a while longer, then started his journey to Syria. He stopped in Ephesus but stayed only a short time. He then went to Caesarea. He made a brief visit to the believers in Jerusalem. Then he went to Antioch in Syria.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul went back to Antioch via Ephesus and Caesarea
-or-
Paul Returns to Antioch in Syria
-or-
The Return to Antioch (Good News Translation)

Paragraph 18:18–22

18:18a

quite some time: This phrase in Greek is literally “enough/many days.” It may have been a few weeks or a few months. For example:

many days (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
quite a while (God’s Word)

18:18b

saying goodbye: This clause in Greek is literally “having said goodbye to.” Paul left the brothers with proper farewells. For example:

took leave of (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
said good-bye to (New Living Translation (2004))

the brothers: This refers to believers, both men and women. See how you translated this word in 15:1 or 17:14.

18:18c

sailed for Syria: The tense on the Greek verb probably indicates that Paul began his journey to Syria at this time. The final destination of the journey was Syria. He stopped in Ephesus (18:19). For example:

set sail for Syria (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
started his journey by boat to Syria

Syria: This name refers to a Roman province. See how you spelled this word in 15:23.

18:18d

He had his head shaved: This clause refers to cutting Paul’s hair with scissors near the skin. For example:

he had his hair cut short (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

The Greek verb may indicate that Paul cut his own hair or that someone cut it for him. In some languages a word referring to the person cutting the hair must be supplied. For example:

he had ⌊someone⌋ cut his hair off
-or-
Paul cut off his hair (New Century Version)

Cenchrea: Cenchrea was a city on the east coast of Achaia. It is about ten kilometers (six miles) from Corinth. At Cenchrea Paul could find a ship headed east toward Syria.

18:18e

to keep a vow he had made: During the time of this kind of vow, the person did not cut his hair. The sign that the vow was complete was to cut his hair. In some languages a literal translation would not clearly explain why Paul cut his hair. For example:

because of a vow he had taken ⌊and now the vow was complete⌋

a vow he had made: The word vow refers to a solemn promise. Paul promised something to God. The verse does not say what the vow was. Other ways to translate this word are:

he had made a promise to God (New Century Version)
-or-
he had taken a solemn vow (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
he was under a vow (English Standard Version)

General Comment on 18:18b–e

Here the Berean Standard Bible has reordered the Greek clauses in order to put them in sequence. The New International Version follows the Greek order:

18bThen he left the brothers and sisters 18eand sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. 18cBefore he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae 18dbecause of a vow he had taken. (New International Version)

However, Paul had his hair cut off (18:18c) before sailing for Syria (18:18e). Also, Paul made the vow (18:18d) at least a month before he had his hair cut off (18:18c). In some languages following the order that the events occurred is necessary or more natural, as in the Berean Standard Bible. Here is another way to translate this:

⌊Some time before⌋ 18dhe had taken a vow. 18bHe left the brothers ⌊and went to⌋ 18cCenchrea. There he had his hair cut off to show the vow had ended. 18eThen he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.

© 2001, 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

19:22a

He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia: Paul sent these two men to tell the believers in Macedonia that he was coming. The believers in Macedonia had promised to send money to the poor believers in Judea. So Timothy and Erastus also went to tell them to get the money ready.

his helpers: This phrase in Greek is literally “the (ones) serving him.” It indicates that Timothy and Erastus helped Paul do his work for the gospel in Ephesus. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

his…assistants (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
his workers

19:22b

while he stayed for a time in the province of Asia: Paul stayed in the city of Ephesus. Ephesus was in the province of Asia.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply that he left Ephesus. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the implied information in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Paul remained in the city of Ephesus. Ephesus was in the province of Asia.

• Explain the implied information in your translation. For example:

while he stayed ⌊in Ephesus⌋ in the province of Asia

the province of Asia: See how you translated this phrase in 19:10.

© 2001, 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 20:13–38

Paul and others traveled to Miletus

In this section, Paul and his companions traveled from Troas to Miletus where he summoned the elders of the believers at Ephesus to come to him. After the elders arrived, Paul spoke his last words to them. In his speech, he defended his good behavior among them and spoke about being determined to go to Jerusalem even though he knew that enemies might try to harm him there. Lastly, he exhorted them to be faithful and watchful as they cared for other believers.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Voyage from Troas to Miletus (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Paul went to Miletus and exhorted the Ephesian elders

Paragraph 20:13–16

20:13a

We: This word probably refers to Luke and the seven other companions of Paul named in 20:4.

went on ahead to the ship: These words indicate that Luke and the others left Paul in Troas and went to the ship. Paul would travel later, probably later that day. But he went by land to Assos. Other ways to translate this are:

went ahead to the ship (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
left ⌊Paul⌋ and went to the ship

sailed to Assos: The verb “sail” refers to traveling by ship. At that time most ships used sails and the wind to move forward. Luke and the others traveled by sailing ship to Assos.

Assos: Assos was a town on the coast of the province of Mysia. It was about 32 kilometers (20 miles) south of Troas.

20:13b

where we were to take Paul aboard: The phrase take Paul aboard indicates that Luke and the others would go by ship to Assos and meet Paul there. Since they were already on the ship, they probably would

(1) welcome Paul onto the ship at Assos,

(2) leave the ship at the harbor at Assos, find Paul there, and bring him to the correct ship.

Translate in a way that allows for one or both interpretations. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

where we would bring Paul aboard
-or-
where we would welcome Paul aboard
-or-
where Paul would board the ship to travel with us

we were to: This phrase indicates that Luke and the others were planning to take Paul aboard. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

intending to (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
we planned to

20:13c

He had arranged this: This clause refers to planning the deeds of 20:13a–c. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Paul planned it this way (New Century Version)
-or-
He had told us to do this (Good News Translation)

going there on foot: The Greek word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as going…on foot refers to any kind of travel by land. For example:

go by land (Revised Standard Version)

Here the Greek word probably implies that Paul walked, so the Berean Standard Bible says on foot.

General Comment on 20:13a–c

Luke did not write about these events in the order they happened. In some languages it is more natural to put the events in the order they happened. For example:

Paul planned that we would go ahead ⌊of him⌋ to the ship. We would sail for Assos, and he would go by land. We would take Paul aboard there. ⌊So we did that.⌋
-or-
Paul told us that he was going to travel by land to Assos. He told us to go and board the ship going to Assos. Then he would join us on the ship. So we went to the ship and sailed to Assos and he walked there.

© 2001, 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

21:39a

Paul was not that Egyptian. His answer here indicates that. In some languages it is more natural to add “no.” For example:

Paul said, “No, I am a Jew… (New Century Version)

I am a Jew: The word I is emphasized in the Greek here. For example:

I myself am a Jew

Tarsus in Cilicia: Tarsus was the capital city of the province of Cilicia. It is located in the present day country of Turkey. The Romans had earlier conquered this area and ruled it as one of their provinces at this time. In some languages people are not familiar with these names. For example:

⌊the city of⌋ Tarsus in ⌊the province of⌋ Cilicia

citizen: Paul was a citizen of the city of Tarsus. At this time, people could be citizens of a city as well as be citizens of Rome. Only a minority of the people born or living in a city were citizens. Becoming a citizen required being a land owner, the city leaders granting citizenship, or being born to citizens. Being a citizen gave high social status to that person. Other ways to translate this word are:

officially a member of the city
-or-
a person with his name on the city register

In some languages the full meaning will need a footnote. An example footnote is:

At that time, only a minority of the people born or living in a city were citizens. Becoming a citizen required being a land owner, the city leaders granting citizenship, or being born to citizens. Being a citizen gave high social status to that person.

no ordinary city: This phrase in Greek is literally “not an unimportant city.” It emphasizes that Tarsus was an important city. Paul indicated here that Tarsus had status in the Roman world and that he as a citizen also had status. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

no obscure city (English Standard Version)
-or-
an important city (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the well–known city (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
a city of high standing/status

General Comment on 21:39a

Paul told the commander five things here:

(a) He was a Jew,

(b) he was from the city of Tarsus,

(c) Tarsus was in the province of Cilicia,

(d) he was a citizen of Tarsus,

(e) Tarsus was an important city.

You may want to reorder this information in a way that is more natural in your language. You may also need to put some of it in another sentence. For example:

I am a Jew and a citizen of the well–known city of Tarsus in Cilicia (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I am a Jew. I am also a citizen of ⌊the city of⌋ Tarsus in Cilicia. It/Tarsus is an important city.

21:39b

Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people: The Greek words are literally “I ask you, allow me to speak to the people.” It is a polite request. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I’m asking you to let me talk to the people. (God’s Word)
-or-
May I have your permission to speak to the people? (Revised English Bible)

© 2001, 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.