SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 27:16

27:16a

Passing to the lee: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Passing to the lee is similar in meaning to the Greek verb in 27:4b. Here the island was small, so they did not have much time to take advantage of it sheltering the ship somewhat from the wind. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Running under the shelter (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
We sailed along the side sheltered from the wind

a small island called Cauda: The island is small compared to Crete. Cauda is approximately seven kilometers (about four miles) wide and long.

Cauda: There is a textual issue here:

(1) Some Greek manuscripts spell the name of the island Kauda.

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

(2) Other Greek manuscripts spell the name of the island Klauda.

(King James Version, New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the Greek NT 4 recommends it.

27:16b

we barely managed to secure the lifeboat: The lifeboat was often tied with a rope to the back of the ship and the ship pulled it along as they sailed to make more room on the ship. This clause indicates that they had to pull the rope to bring the lifeboat to the ship and get control of it, but this was very difficult to do, because of the wind and waves. Other ways to translate this clause are:

with some difficulty we managed to make the ship’s boat secure. (Good News Translation)
-or-
we managed with difficulty to secure the boat (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
we barely got control of the ship’s lifeboat (God’s Word)

lifeboat: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lifeboat refers to a boat that could hold ten to thirty people, depending on its size. A large ship such as the one Paul and Luke sailed on probably had a larger boat of this kind. It was most often used to take people to and from the large ship when the ship could not get close to a dock or the shore. Other ways to translate this word are:

boat (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
ship’s boat (English Standard Version)
-or-
dinghy/skiff
-or-
small boat

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 28:4

28:4a

When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand: The snake was still biting Paul’s hand, so it was hanging by its mouth. It is implied that Paul pulled his hand away from the sticks and the snake remained attached. In some languages some of this implied information will make the translation clearer. For example:

When the islanders saw the snake hanging ⌊by its mouth⌋ from his hand
-or-

⌊Paul pulled his hand away but the snake continued biting his hand.⌋ When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand

creature: The Greek word is literally “animal.” The word is more general than “snake” but clearly refers to the viper. The Greek word implies a wild animal. Here it probably implies an animal that is harmful to people. Other ways to translate this word are:

snake (New International Version)
-or-
wild animal

The word or phrase you use should clearly refer to the snake. In some languages repeating snake here is best. But you can add that this is a poisonous snake here. For example:

poisonous/dangerous snake

28:4b

they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer: The people of the island guessed that Paul had murdered someone. They did not know that he had. In some languages the fact of guessing must be clearly stated. For example:

they ⌊wondered about this and⌋ said to each other, “This man must be a murderer…
-or-
they ⌊thought about what happened and⌋ said to each other, “This man must be a murderer…
-or-
they ⌊mistakenly⌋ said to each other, “This man must be a murderer…

they said to one another: The Greek tense indicates that the islanders were talking together about Paul and the snake, possibly telling and retelling the story as new people came to hear of it. For example:

they were saying to one another

Surely this man is a murderer: The word murderer refers to someone who unlawfully killed someone else. It also implies that he planned to kill the other person. In some languages the word murderer must be translated with a verb. For example:

This man must have murdered someone

28:4c–d

Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live: The word Although indicates contrast between these two clauses. For example:

He did not die in the sea, but Justice does not want him to live. (New Jerusalem Bible)

28:4c

There is no conjunction here in this verse in Greek. But 28:4c explains why they called him a murderer, so you may want to use a conjunction that shows this connection. For example:

because
-or-
for (New International Version)

The Berean Standard Bible follows the Greek here and does not have a conjunction. It also begins 28:4c as a new sentence. The verse in Greek and the Berean Standard Bible assume the reader will see that 28:4c explains why they called him a murderer.

he was saved from the sea: This refers to escaping from the danger of storm and shipwreck at sea. Either of those things could have caused Paul to die. Other ways to translate this clause are:

He escaped ⌊those dangers⌋ at sea
-or-
He didn’t drown in the sea (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He did not die in the sea (New Century Version)

28:4d

Justice: There are two issues here.

Issue 1: Interpretation

There are three ways to interpret this word:

(1) It refers to a goddess called Justice. People believed she sought to make sure wrongdoers were punished. For example:

the goddess of justice (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Century Version, English Standard Version)

(2) It refers to the principle of justice. People just thought it was right that wrongdoers be punished. For example:

justice (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, King James Version)

(3) It refers to the desire of the gods to see that wrongdoers were punished. People expected the gods to punish wrongdoers but were not thinking of the particular goddess Justice. For example:

divine justice (Revised English Bible)

(Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

Other ways to translate this word are:

the goddess named Justice
-or-
the god called Retribution/Payback
-or-
the god⌊-dess⌋ named Justice who seeks to punish wrongdoers

Your translation should not refer to the true God. The people of the island believed in many gods.

Issue 2: Translating this noun

In some languages it is necessary to translate Justice in a different way. For example:

the goddess named Judger/Punisher of Wrongdoers
-or-
the goddess named Judges/Punishes Sinners
-or-
the deity/god who punishes those who do wrong

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:22

1:22a–b

beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us: This phrase explains the phrase “the whole time” in 1:21b. Consider how to clearly indicate that in your language.

1:22a

John’s baptism: In English, this phrase would normally refer to someone baptizing John. But that is clearly not the meaning here. There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It refers to John baptizing Jesus. For example:

he was baptized by John (New Living Translation (2004))

(New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible)

(2) It refers to John’s ministry of baptizing people. For example:

the time when John was baptising (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the focus of here is on events directly connected to Jesus (1:21b).

baptism: This noun refers to the event of baptizing people. The verb “baptize” means to purify people with a special ritual that uses water. In some languages a verb or phrase is used to translate the word baptism. For example:

ritually washing
-or-
purifying with God’s ceremonial bath

See how you translated the similar word “baptized” in 1:5.

1:22b

Jesus was taken up from us: Here this refers to God taking Jesus from the earth and bringing him to heaven.

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

⌊God⌋ took Jesus up ⌊to heaven⌋ from us

1:22c

For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection: These words complete the thought of what was necessary for one man to have done in 1:21a. He must join the other apostles and become a witness to the fact of Jesus’ resurrection. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection (New Living Translation (2004))

witness: This word indicates that the man would tell others what he knew personally about Jesus. See how you translated this word (“witnesses”) in 1:8.

us: This person was to become an apostle. So Peter would use the exclusive form of the pronoun us, because the hundred and twenty believers to whom Peter spoke were not all apostles, only the eleven.

of His resurrection: The word resurrection refers to the time when God caused Jesus to live again. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

of him rising from the dead
-or-
that Jesus has been raised from death (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
of ⌊God⌋ causing him to live again

General Comment on 1:21a–22c

A long description (1:21b–22b) occurs between introducing “one of the men” (1:21a) and what he is to “become” (1:22c). In some languages it is necessary or more natural to put the description after what the man is to become. For example:

21aTherefore it is necessary that one man 22cbecome a witness with us of his resurrection. 21a⌊It is necessary that⌋ he be one of the men who have accompanied us 21bthe whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22abeginning from John’s baptism 22bto the time when Jesus was taken up from us.

The combined verses would be labeled “21–22.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:28

2:28a

the paths of life: This phrase is a figure of speech. When David spoke this phrase, he was probably thinking of godly living. For example:

to live a holy life (New Century Version)
-or-
the way to receive good life
-or-
the paths towards everlasting life

2:28b

You will fill me with joy: This clause indicates that God will make him completely happy or joyful.

in Your presence: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in is literally “with.” Being in God’s presence would cause David to be full of joy. For example:

because you will be with me
-or-
because I will be where you are
-or-
by being near me (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 2:25b–28b

2:25b–28b is a quote from Psalm 16:8–11. You may want to include this information in a footnote or cross-reference in your translation.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 3:14

3:14a

rejected: See how you translated rejected in 3:13d.

the Holy and Righteous One: There are two ways to interpret the Greek words here:

(1) It is a title for the Messiah, based on similar wording in the Old Testament.

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(2) It simply describes Jesus. For example:

the holy and righteous one (Revised English Bible)

(Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

Peter implied here that Jesus is the Holy and Righteous One. In some languages a literal translation would not imply that. If that is true in your language, you may want to indicate that implied information in the text. For example:

⌊him,⌋ the Holy and Righteous One
-or-
the Holy and Righteous One, ⌊namely, Jesus⌋

Holy: Here this word means “dedicated to God,” “reserved for God,” or “set apart for God.” It can also mean “pure” or “free from sin.” Here are some other ways to translate this word:

⌊Morally⌋ Pure
-or-
Unblemished/Clean

Righteous: This word indicates that Jesus always did what was right. That is, he always obeyed God and never sinned. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

always did what was right
-or-
straight/upright

3:14b

asked that a murderer be released to you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be released is literally “be granted.” It indicates doing something as a favor. The Jews had asked Pilate to release Barabbas, a murderer, instead of Jesus. Doing that would please them, because they wanted Pilate to kill Jesus. Here are some other ways to translate these words:

asked for a murderer to be granted to you (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
asked Pilate to do you the favor of turning loose a murderer (Good News Translation)

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

asked Pilate to give you a murderer (New Century Version)

asked: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as asked can also mean “demand.” The Jews forcefully asked Pilate to release Barabbas to support their strong desire to have Pilate kill Jesus. For example:

demanded (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:20

4:20

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the basis for Peter and John’s statement in 4:19.

In some languages it would be better to omit this conjunction for the correct meaning here.

we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard: This clause in Greek is literally “we are not able not to speak of what we saw and heard.” It indicates strongly that they must continue telling others about the things which they saw Jesus do and what they heard him say. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

we(excl)(dual) must continue telling what we have seen ⌊Jesus do⌋ and heard ⌊what Jesus said⌋
-or-
we cannot stop telling what we have seen ⌊Jesus do⌋ and heard ⌊what Jesus said⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:15

5:15a

As a result: This phrase introduces the result of the apostles doing signs and wonders (5:12), the people of Jerusalem speaking highly of believers (5:13), and probably also a result of more and more people becoming believers (5:14). Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Therefore
-or-
And so

the sick: This refers to people who very sick and so probably could not work or do much at all. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

sick people (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the people with sickness/illnesses

into the streets: These sick people were probably placed at the sides of the road rather than in the middle. For example:

to the streets
-or-
to the edges of the streets

streets: The Greek word refers to the major roads in the city rather than the narrow lanes. For example:

major/big streets

5:15b

laid them: The Greek is more literally “put.” It does not describe whether the sick people were then sitting or lying down. For example:

placed (Good News Translation)
-or-
put them (NET Bible)

cots: The Greek has the meaning of “little/minimum bed.” Here it refers to the fewest things required to still be called a bed. It would not have all the things usually used to make a bed. In English this might be just the mattress. For example:

mattresses

mats: This word refers to the kind of mat used for sleeping on.

General Comment on 5:15b

In some language groups people sleep on mats, not on full beds. If that is true in your language group, you may want to just use one word or phrase for the words “beds and mats.” For example:

⌊sleeping⌋ mats

But if people in your language group are familiar with beds, you may still want to include both words.

5:15c

so that: This phrase introduces the purpose for people bringing those who were sick into the streets.

at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as at least is a combination of two words that can be translated “even if” or “if only.” It implies that even if only Peter’s shadow crossed over a sick person as he walked by, God would heal that person. For example:

so that even if only Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by, ⌊they would be healed⌋
-or-
so that even if only Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by, ⌊God would heal them⌋

Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fall refers to Peter’s shadow appearing on the person as Peter walked by. Many languages will use a different word than fall. For example:

when Pita was going around and his shadow went on top of them
-or-
when Peter will/would walk past, his shade would cover them
-or-
Petero’s shadow, when he went past them, would heal some people from them
-or-
if Pedro were to pass by, even if they were only shaded by his shadow

might fall: Here the word might refers to the possibility of Peter’s shadow falling on them. Consider how to translate that meaning.

as he passed by: This refers to times when Peter was walking along. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

as he came by (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
as he went by (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 6:6

6:6a

They: As in 6:5b, this word refers to the gathered believers, except the seven men and the apostles.

presented these seven: The Greek is more literally “stood these men.” It means that the believers brought the seven men to the apostles and made them stand in front of the apostles. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

put these men before (New Century Version)
-or-
had these men stand before (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
brought those men to

these seven: This refers to the seven men (6:5). In many languages “those” would be the correct word here.

apostles: See how you translated this word in 1:2 or 5:40.

6:6b

who prayed and laid their hands on them: This further describes the apostles. It does not separate these apostles from other apostles. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

They prayed and laid their hands on them

prayed and laid their hands on them: The praying probably happened before the laying of hands. For example:

after praying, they laid their hands on them (New American Standard Bible)

laid their hands on them: The laying on of hands is symbolic of giving a blessing or authority to do something. The apostles probably also said a few words as to the purpose of the laying of hands. Here, when the apostles laid hands on the seven men, they gave them the authority to look after the poor Grecian believing widows. Some languages must explain the purpose of the laying on of hands. For example:

laid their hands on them ⌊and commissioned them to that task⌋
-or-
laid their hands on them ⌊and gave to them the authority to look after those widows⌋

The apostles probably placed their hands on the heads of each of the seven men.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021