SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:34

16:34a

Then he brought them into his home: This clause in Greek is literally “he brought them up into the house.” The house may have been next to the prison but higher (on a hill); a second story over the prison; or a different part of a building that was some steps higher than the part that was used for the prison. The verse does not tell us. For “up,” translate generally. For example:

Then he brought them up into his house (Revised Standard Version)

The Berean Standard Bible and some English versions do not translate the idea of “up” here.

and set a meal before them: Here this phrase refers to placing food before Paul and Silas for them to eat. For example:

gave them a meal (New Jerusalem Bible)

16:34b–c

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So is often translated as “and.” It introduces this verse and indicates that the jailer was also very joyful. For example:

And (Revised Standard Version)

he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God: The Greek words are literally “he was overjoyed, with the household, having believed in God.” His household both believed and was overjoyed. Luke wrote mainly about the jailer, but included the household in these events. For example:

and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household (New American Standard Bible)

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that his household rejoiced or believed but not both. If this is true in your language, translate in a way that clearly indicates they did both. For example:

He and his family were filled with joy, because they now believed in God. (Good News Translation)

rejoiced: This is a figure of speech that indicates rejoicing greatly. For example:

He and his family were very happy (New Century Version)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:26

17:26a

From one man:
This phrase in Greek is literally “from one.” Paul probably referred to Adam here but did not name him. This phrase in Greek is not emphasized.

It would not have helped the discussion by naming Adam to the Greeks, because they did not believe the Jewish Bible (our Old Testament). Do not name Adam here.

He made every nation of men: Adam was the ancestor of all other people. God made his descendants into the many different nations.

nation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as nation refers to people grouped by language and culture. The English word nation usually refers only to people under one government.

In some languages the word nation can refer to people grouped by language and culture. However, in some languages the word nation refers only to people under one government. If that is true in your language, use a word or phrase that refers to people grouped by language and culture.

men: Here the word men refers generally to people. For example:

people (Good News Translation)

17:26b

that they should inhabit: This phrase in Greek is literally “to dwell.” The word “to” indicates purpose here. For example:

so that they could occupy (New Jerusalem Bible)

17:26c

and He determined their appointed times: The Greek words are literally “seasons/times having been determined.” This clause explains what God did before he made the nations. He decided when each nation would begin, end, and when it would be powerful. Other ways to translate this clause are:

having determined allotted periods (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
but he decreed the times…of their habitation (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall (New Living Translation (2004))

17:26d

the boundaries of their lands: This phrase in Greek is literally “the boundaries of their habitation.” God also decided where each nation would live. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the boundaries of the places where they would live (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
limits of their habitation (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
and he determined their boundaries (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 18:24

Paragraph 18:24–26

18:24a

Meanwhile: The Berean Standard Bible adds the word Meanwhile to indicate that 18:24–28 occurs while Paul was going from town to town in Galatia and Phrygia (18:23b). For example:

Now (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
At that time (Good News Translation)

a Jew named Apollos: Apollos believed in Jesus, so the word Jew only refers to his ethnic group. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate or imply that Apollos did not believe in Jesus. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in your translation. For example:

a Jewish ⌊believer⌋ named Apollos

a native of Alexandria: This phrase indicates that Apollos was born in the city of Alexandria. Alexandria was in the country of Egypt on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It was a very large city at that time.

18:24b

an eloquent man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as eloquent can also mean “educated.” These two ideas went together in Paul’s time. A learned man had to be able to demonstrate his knowledge through eloquent speaking. Many English versions translate the Greek word as eloquent. For example:

a very good speaker (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
learned and eloquent
-or-
skilled in speaking

well versed in the Scriptures: This phrase in Greek is literally “powerful in the Scriptures.” It indicates that Apollos knew the Scriptures well and was able to use them effectively in preaching, teaching, and discussing. For example:

and he was mighty in the Scriptures (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
powerful in his use of the scriptures (Revised English Bible)
-or-
and he knew ⌊and discussed⌋ the Scriptures in powerful ways

Scriptures: This refers to the Hebrew Bible. Christians now call it the Old Testament. Christians then only referred to it as the Scriptures.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 19:28

Paragraph 19:28–31

19:28a

When the men heard this, they were enraged: The Greek words are literally “having heard and having become full of anger.” It tells of two things that happened before the men began shouting: They heard what Demetrius said and became very angry. Other ways to translate this are:

When they heard this and were filled with rage (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
When they heard this they were very angry.

the men: This refers to the men whom Demetrius had called together.

19:28b

and began shouting: The Greek words indicate that the men shouted “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians” many times.

Great is Artemis of the Ephesians: The Berean Standard Bible follows the Greek word order. In some languages this word order is not natural. Translate using a natural word order. For example:

Artemis of the Ephesians is great! (God’s Word)

The men shouting this were from Ephesus. They used the name of their city to be clear that only they had the temple of Artemis in their city. They were proud that the temple was in their city. Probably most Ephesians worshiped her as one of their most important gods.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate or imply that the men were not from Ephesus. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

Great is Artemis of ⌊us,⌋ the Ephesians
-or-
Great is Artemis, whom ⌊we,⌋ the Ephesians, ⌊worship⌋
-or-
Great is Artemis of Ephesus

Great: Here this word refers to being famous, important, or powerful. It does not refer to being large. The Ephesian men stated that Artemis was an important god.

Artemis of the Ephesians: The word of indicates a relationship between Artemis and the people of Ephesus. The temple was in Ephesus. It was the main temple where Artemis was worshiped. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

Artemis, the goddess of Ephesus, (New Century Version)
-or-
Artemis ⌊here⌋ in Ephesus

But the men were not explaining who Artemis was. Everyone in Ephesus knew who Artemis was. Your translation should not imply that the men were explaining who Artemis was.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 20:19

20:19a–b

20:19 in Greek continues the sentence that began at 20:18b with “You know how.” You may want to repeat those words here. Also see the note at 20:18b–21b.

with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews: This phrase in Greek says literally: “with all humility and tears and trials.” There are several ways to interpret the two Greek words often translated “and”:

(1) They both mean “and.” They indicate that Paul served the Lord in three ways. For example:

with all humility and with tears and with trials (New American Standard Bible)

(Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, King James Version, NET Bible)

(2) The first Greek word means “and” but the second one means something else. For example:

With all humility and many tears…during the hard times that came to me (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

(3) The second Greek word means “and” but the first one means something else. For example:

in all humility, with all the sorrows and trials that came to me (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because this author can find no justification for interpretations (2) or (3).

20:19a

I served the Lord: This refers to Paul doing things that honored the Lord. It would include praying, telling others about him, teaching, and helping others. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I did my work as the Lord’s servant (Good News Translation)
-or-
I did the things/deeds that the Lord told me to do

See how you translated the word served in Matthew 6:24, Ephesians 6:7, Philippians 2:22, or 1 Thessalonians 1:9.

the Lord: Here, this phrase probably refers to Jesus. Some languages must indicate who this phrase refers to. If that is true in your language, add his name to your translation. For example:

the Lord ⌊Jesus⌋

Lord: This word means “the one in authority over others” or “master.” Jesus rules over all things. See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 19:20.

with great humility: Paul was humble when he served the Lord. Some languages use an idiom to indicate the meaning of humility. For example:

my liver was very low
-or-
I held myself underneath others
-or-
I put myself low
-or-
I did not raise myself above others

with tears: To serve the Lord with tears means that the way Paul served the Lord was characterized by weeping for people. That is, he often wept while he did the Lord’s work. He probably wept because he was sad about the difficulties the believers had or about when they were weak or sinned. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

many tears (Good News Translation)
-or-
with all the sorrows (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I often cried

20:19b

especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews: The Greek words are literally “and (with) trials, the/those happening to me by the plots of the Jews.” The Jews plotted to harm Paul, but he served God even in those difficulties. He probably used those circumstances to serve God more. Other ways to translate this are:

and with trials which befell me through the plots of the Jews (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
during the hard times that came to me because of the plots of some Jews (Good News Translation)
-or-
during the difficult times I went through when the Jews plotted against me (God’s Word)

the Jews: In this verse and in most contexts in Acts, the phrase the Jews refers only to those Jews who opposed Paul and his work. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

some Jews (Good News Translation)
-or-
the Jews ⌊who oppose me⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 21:13

21:13a

It is clear from what Paul said here that at least some people were weeping as they pleaded with Paul. In some languages it is more natural to refer to the people weeping in the translation before Paul talked about it. For example:

⌊Some of us were weeping.⌋ Then Paul answered…

Why are you weeping and breaking my heart?: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Why are you is literally “What are you doing.” This question is a rhetorical question. It means “Stop weeping and breaking my heart.” It may be a loving rebuke. Translate this clause with that meaning. Some ways are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Why are you crying and making me so sad? (New Century Version)

• As a statement. For example:

You are weeping and breaking my heart!

• As a command. For example:

Stop weeping and breaking my heart!

breaking my heart: This idiom probably means “to cause me to grieve.” It probably means the same as the English idiom “to break my heart.” Some languages use a different organ or place in the body when referring to emotions like grief. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

making me so sad (New Century Version)
-or-
My liver is really grieved by you.

21:13b–c

I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus: In English the phrases not only and but also are used to emphasize the second clause (to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus). For example:

I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I am prepared to be-tied and even to die in Jerusalem for the Lord Jesus.
-or-
I am ready to be bound in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. But even more than that, I am also ready to die there for his name!

21:13b

The Greek conjunction often translated as “for” introduces this verse. It introduces the reason why Paul said what he did in 21:13a.

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

for ⌊others⌋ to bind me

bound: The Greek word here means both “tied” and “put in prison.” Paul probably implied both meanings. The meaning “tied” refers to putting chains around the wrists or legs so that the person cannot escape (as in 21:33). He did not know whether one or both would occur.

Some languages have one word that has both meanings. Other languages must indicate both meanings with more than one word. For example:

bound or imprisoned

21:13c

to die…for the name of the Lord Jesus: This phrase indicates that someone may kill Paul because Paul believed in Jesus and was doing what Jesus wanted. In some languages a literal translation would not imply being killed for that reason. If that is true in your language, translate the implied meaning. For example:

for ⌊others/someone⌋ to kill me for the name of the Lord Jesus

for the name of the Lord Jesus: This phrase indicates that Paul’s death would honor Jesus, help spread the gospel, or in some way benefit Jesus. Other ways to translate this are:

for the sake of the Lord Jesus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
for the Lord Jesus (New Century Version)

Lord: This word means “the one in authority over others” or “master.” Jesus rules over all things. See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 20:19.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 22.6

Paragraph 22:6–9

Notice that much of the wording of 22:6–16 is identical or similar to that of 9:3–8. You will want to look at how you translated those verses.

22:6a

About noon as I was approaching Damascus: The Greek words are literally “And it happened to me (while) traveling and coming near to Damascus about noon.” It indicates that something else happened to Paul besides going to Damascus. It also indicates where it happened and the time of day. Lastly, these words introduce 22:6b–16b. Other ways to translate these words are:

But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
It happened that I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when in the middle of the day (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon (New Living Translation (2004))

22:6a in Greek has two verbs, “journeyed” and “came near.” The verb “journeyed” indicates that Paul was somewhere on the road between Jerusalem and Damascus. The phrase “came near” indicates he had almost finished his journey, but had not yet entered the city. In some languages it is more natural to translate only approaching Damascus here, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

The verbs do not say whether Paul walked or rode an animal (such as a donkey). Translate in a way that allows for both walking or riding.

I: Paul refers only to himself here. He is the important person in this story. Later, in 22:9, he introduces the group of men traveling with him.

22:6b

a bright light: This light was much brighter than the noonday sun on a cloudless day. It was so bright that it startled Paul so much that he fell to the ground. For example:

a very bright light (New American Standard Bible)

from heaven: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heaven can either mean:

(1) the place where God lives,

(2) the sky.

The light came from Jesus up in heaven (Acts 9:3), but Paul would see that light as coming from the sky. However, he would have known that the light came from heaven when he knew it was Jesus speaking to him. In some languages “sky” would be the best word, but in some languages “heaven” would be best here.

flashed: This Greek word can mean “flash” (like lightning) or “shine” (for a time). It is not clear from these verses which occurred. For example:

shone (Revised Standard Version)

around me: The word around indicates that the light shone on Paul and all of the ground near him. Paul was completely within this circle of light shining from above. It does not indicate that the light moved around. The light did not shine on the men with Paul, because they were not blinded by it like Paul (22:11). Other ways to translate this phrase are:

all around me (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
on the place where I was
-or-
on me

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 23:8

23:8a

For: The Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek conjunction that introduces this verse as For. Here it introduces extra information about the beliefs of the Pharisees and Sadducees. It explains why they were arguing with each other. Indicate that this verse is extra information. For example:

(For the Sadducees say that people will not rise from death and that there are no angels or spirits; but the Pharisees believe in all three.) (Good News Translation)
-or-
Because according to the Saduki people, people who die do not live again, and there is no soul of mankind that lives on-and-on, and there are no angels. But the Parisi people [emphatic], they believe all that.
-or-
The reason they were disputing is because…

You may also need to reorder 23:6–8 to place the background information in natural order. See the General Comment at the end of 23:8c for some examples of reordering.

the Sadducees say: Here the verb say generally indicates that at appropriate times the Sadducees would tell people that God does not resurrect people. It was their habit to say so, because that was what they believed. Consider how to indicate that in your language.

23:8b

angels: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as angels means “messengers.” Here it refers to spirit beings who serve God. Some ways to translate this word are:

• Use a descriptive word or phrase. For example:

messengers ⌊from God/heaven⌋
-or-

⌊good/holy⌋ spirit-beings

• Use a local word that fits the biblical meaning.

• In some areas the churches may already be using the common language word for “angel.” Be sure that this term fits the biblical meaning. If some people do not understand the right meaning from this word, you may need to indicate the meaning in some way. For example:

angel messengers ⌊from God⌋
-or-
sacred angel spirits

Be sure that your term for “angel” is different from your terms for “prophet” and “apostle.”

spirits: This word refers generally to any being without a physical body. It includes angels, demons, and the spirits of dead people.

Some languages have several terms for spirits. If that is true in your language, you should use a word that refers to the spirit of a human being who has died.

23:8c

the Pharisees acknowledge them all: The Pharisees believed in all three: the resurrection of the dead, angels, and other spirits.

General Comment on 23:6a–8c

The extra (or background) information occurs in the middle of the story about the argument. In some languages, the extra information must be in a different place to be natural. For example:

8
The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 6⌊So⌋ Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.” 7When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
-or-

6a Paul knew that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees. 8(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.) 6bSo he called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.” 7When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

If you reorder like this, you will need to mark these three verses together:

6–8…

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021