SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 23:32

23:32

they returned: This refers to the two hundred soldiers, the two hundred spearmen and in particular the two centurions (23:23). 23:31 refers to them generally as soldiers. The centurions would have been in charge of all the soldiers, including the horse soldiers.

The verb translated as returned can mean “to turn back.” The word indicates that they began traveling back to Jerusalem, and not that they arrived back at the barracks on the same day.

barracks: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as barracks means “a place where soldiers lived.” Here it refers to the stone fortress next to the temple. See how you translated this word in 23:16.

let the horsemen go on: There are two ways to interpret the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as let:

(1) It means leave here. The commander ordered only the horsemen to take Paul from Antipatris to Caesarea. So the soldiers and spearmen separated from the horse soldiers at Antipatris. For example:

left the horsemen to go on (Good News Translation)

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means allow here. The centurions permitted the horse soldiers to continue. For example:

let the horsemen go on (New Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the commander probably told them what to do at Antipatris rather than allowing the centurions to decide. But interpretation (2) is also possible.

horsemen: The word horsemen refers to soldiers who ride on horses. See how you translated this word in 23:23.

go on: This phrase indicates that the cavalry and Paul would continue traveling to Caesarea.

The journey from Antipatris to Caesarea is about 52 kilometers (32 miles) in a generally northerly direction. The journey also was along the plains near sea level. It would take anywhere between four and twelve hours to travel that distance, depending on how fast they made the horses go.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 25:2

25:2a

where: The Greek word is literally “and.” It introduces the meeting of Festus and the Jewish leaders. For example:

And (Revised Standard Version)

But many English versions do not translate this Greek conjunction and allow the context to indicate the connection.

the chief priests: This phrase refers to the priests who were leaders of other priests and religious leaders of Israel. See how you translated this phrase in 4:23 or 22:30.

Jewish leaders: This phrase in Greek is literally “the first ones of the Jews.” The word “first” refers to the people who were most important among the Jews, namely the leaders and other men who had status and power. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the principal men of the Jews (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the most prominent men of the Jews (NET Bible)
-or-
the other important Jewish leaders (God’s Word)

presented their case against Paul: The Greek words are literally “explained to him against Paul.” For example:

informed him of the case against Paul (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Jewish leaders told Festus about the accusations they had against Paul. They were probably the same accusations that they told Felix (24:5–6). Paul was not there, because he was in Caesarea. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

laid out their case against Paul (English Standard Version)
-or-
told him about their charges against Paul
-or-
told him what they accused Paul about

25:2b

They urged Festus: This clause appears at the end of 25:2 in the UBS4 Greek. Since it is the main verb for 25:3, some English versions put this clause in 25:3a. If possible, put this clause in 25:2b as the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions have done. For example:

2b…they urged him, 3asking as a favor… (Revised Standard Version)

But if the common language version puts this clause in 25:3a, you can follow that.

They urged: The Jewish leaders probably wanted Festus to agree with them before he left Jerusalem, so he could send for Paul immediately. Festus was the leader whom Caesar had placed as leader to rule the Jews. Paul was under Festus’ control, so they had to try to convince him to agree. They could not demand anything from him. Translate in a way that shows that the Jewish leaders respected Festus properly.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 26:7

26:7a

the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to realize: Paul was still speaking of the promise he mentioned in 26:6. This clause indicates that the Jews still hoped that God will resurrect the righteous people. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to realize is literally “reach the goal.” The goal was God resurrecting them. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the very thing that the twelve tribes of our people hope to receive (Good News Translation)
-or-
the promise that our twelve tribes…hope to attain (New Jerusalem Bible)

our twelve tribes: The twelve sons of Israel became the founders of the twelve clans or tribes of Israel. Therefore this phrase refers to all of Israel. The nation of Israel refers to the Jews. Paul belonged to one of these clans/tribes and therefore to Israel. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

our twelve clans ⌊of Israel⌋
-or-
all of us Jews

26:7b

as they earnestly serve God day and night: This clause refers to what the Jews do while they wait for God to send the Christ. The word serve refers to doing what God told them to do. This would include things like worshiping him, praying to him, offering sacrifices, teaching others about him, and helping others. Other ways to translate this clause are:

as they earnestly fulfill all their religious duties to God night and day
-or-
as they earnestly do night and day all the things God told them to do

earnestly: This word refers to continuing to do something eagerly. Other ways to translate this word are:

zealously (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
with intense devotion (God’s Word)

day and night: This phrase indicates that various Jews serve God at various times so that altogether someone is serving God at all times.

26:7c

It is because of this hope…that I am accused by the Jews: This clause in Greek is literally “about which hope I am being accused by Jews.” It refers back to the hope that Paul mentioned in 26:7a. The Jews hoped that God would resurrect the righteous people. But the Jewish leaders, at least the Sadducees, accused Paul of wrongdoing because he believed in God resurrecting people (and perhaps because he said that the hope came true in Jesus). Other ways to translate this clause are:

for this hope I am accused by Jews (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they accuse me for having this hope (New Living Translation (2004))

O king: Paul used the title king instead of his name to show respect.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 27:7

27:7a

After sailing slowly: The ship’s captain wanted to go west and a little north. But the wind was probably from that same direction. To sail a boat towards the wind, the sailors would change the angle of the sails and sail far to the left of the direction of the wind. In that way the ship can catch the wind to move forward. Then they would change the angle of the sails and sail far to the right. The ship would slowly gain distance in the desired direction (see diagram below). Therefore progress in the desired direction would be made slowly. Other ways to translate this clause are:

We made forward progress slowly
-or-
We moved slowly in the desired direction

many days: With a wind from a helpful direction, the trip would only take two days. But with a headwind, the trip could take five days, ten days, or more. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

numerous days
-or-
a lot of days

27:7b

we arrived off Cnidus: In Greek this phrase could be literally translated as “with difficulty, we having arrived off Cnidus.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate the Greek word in this clause which means “with difficulty,” probably because it translates the Greek word in 27a which means “sailing slowly” and therefore is letting the translation of that Greek word imply that the sailing was accomplished “with difficulty.” Do what is most natural in your language.

The headwind made it hard for them to sail in the direction they wanted to. For example:

with great difficulty finally arrived off the town of Cnidus (Good News Translation)

arrived off Cnidus: Here the word off refers to coming near to Cnidus. The ship did not go all the way to Cnidus.

coming near Cnidus
-or-
not quite arriving at Cnidus

Cnidus: This name refers to a city. The English letters “cn” are from the Greek “kn.” Both letters were probably pronounced. In some languages, a vowel must be placed between these letters to pronounce both letters. For example:

Cenidus/Kenidus

It was probably a medium-sized city at that time. In many languages people are not familiar with this name. If so, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

⌊the city of⌋ Cnidus

• Explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Cnidus was a city.

Do not use a word that refers only to large, modern cities of today.

27:7c

When the wind impeded us: They could no longer sail to the west. Perhaps the wind grew stronger so that they no longer made any progress in the direction that they desired to go. So they had to change direction.

27:7d

we sailed to the lee of Crete: Here the word lee refers to east and south of Crete. It is the large island in lower left of the photo above.

Crete: Crete is a large island west of Cyprus. It is about 260 kilometers (160 miles) east to west.

opposite Salmone: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as opposite means “off” (“near”) as in 27:7b.

Salmone: In the Greek language the “e” was probably pronounced, unlike the usual pronunciation in English. For example, the Madak NT says:

Salmoni (Madak NT)

This name refers to a point of land jutting from the island into the sea. It is on the eastern shore of Crete. In many languages people are not familiar with this name. If so, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

⌊point/cape⌋ Salmone

• Explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Salmone was the name for a point/cape on the eastern shore of Crete.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 27:39

Paragraph 27:39–41

27:39a

When daylight came: This clause in Greek is literally “When it became day.” This probably includes the increasing light before dawn. Other ways to translate this clause are:

when it was day (English Standard Version)
-or-
In the morning (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
When morning dawned (New Living Translation (2004))

they did not recognize the land: The Greek tense probably indicates that the people on the ship tried to recognize the land as daylight increased, but finally decided they did not know which coastline it was. For example:

they tried to recognize the land but could not
-or-
they tried to recognize the land but finally decided they did not know it
-or-
they could not recognize the land (New American Standard Bible)

Many English versions focus only on the final decision. For example:

they saw land but did not know what land it was

27:39b

they sighted a bay with a sandy beach: The Greek tense on the verb probably indicates that the people slowly were able to see the bay as daylight increased. For example:

eventually/finally saw a bay with a sandy beach

bay: A bay is a place where the coastline goes inward from the sea. So the land to either side of the bay can protect it from waves.

a sandy beach: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a sandy beach refers to land at the edge of a lake or ocean that slopes gently down into the water. The sailors could probably see that the shore was sandy and not rocky. In some languages the word beach already implies sand rather than rocks. For example:

a beach

27:39c

where they decided to run the ship aground if they could: This clause tells the reader more about the sandy beach. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Luke was thinking of other sandy beaches and they decided to run the ship aground only on this one. If that is true in your language, translate this information in a way that tells more about the sandy beach. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

They decided to run the ship aground on it if they could.

run the ship aground: This refers to sailing the ship so that it came onto the ground in shallow water. The verb indicates force. They wanted the speed of the ship to cause it to slide as far as possible after touching bottom. They hoped that the shallow water was near shore so the people would not have to swim far. Other ways to translate this are:

drive the ship onto it (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
bring the ship ashore (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
beach the ship (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

if they could: They did not know where they were, so they did not know if there were sandbars, rocks, or reefs just under the water between them and the shore. For example:

if possible (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 28:27

28:27a–f

The pronoun changes from “you” in 28:26 to “they” in 28:27, because in 28:26 God commanded Isaiah to say those words to the Jewish people but in 28:27 God talked about them.

28:27a

The command to speak ended at 28:26c. Now God described the people. In some languages, it is more natural to indicate clearly the change from command to description. For example:

⌊The Holy Spirit continued⌋
-or-

⌊The Holy Spirit said further⌋

For: This conjunction introduces the reason for the people not understanding what they see and hear. For example:

because (Good News Translation)

If it is not natural in your language to start a sentence with For, you may want to:

• Continue the sentence from 28:26 as the Good News Translation does.

• Add a statement that refers to 28:26 in a general way. For example:

⌊These things are true⌋ because
-or-

⌊They are like that⌋ because

• Allow the context to imply the connection and do not translate the conjunction.

this people’s heart has grown callous: This clause is a metaphor. Their heart being callous indicates that they were slow to learn or did not want to understand. They were that way because they were unwilling to believe what God told them. Here is another way to translate this:

For the hearts of these people are hardened (New Living Translation (2004))

In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If so, you may want to translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

the heart of this people has become dull (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
the heart of this people has become closed
-or-
these people have become stubborn (New Century Version)
-or-
this people’s minds are dull (Good News Translation)

this people’s heart: The word heart refers figuratively to the center and source of inner life, so the word refers to thinking, feeling, and the will.

In some languages a literal translation would not refer to this inner life. If that is true in your language, you may want to use the word or phrase that has the right meaning. For example:

this people’s insides
-or-
this people
-or-
this people’s minds and will

28:27b

they hardly hear with their ears: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hardly hear means “hear with difficulty.” Here the Greek phrase indicates that they refuse to listen. It does not indicate that they are partly deaf. Other ways to translate this clause are:

they refuse to listen
-or-
they have plugged/covered their ears

The phrase with their ears is already included in the meaning of the verb hear. In some languages it may be more natural not to translate the phrase with their ears (as in the first example above).

28:27c

they have closed their eyes: This clause indicates that they refused to see or understand. Other ways to translate this clause are:

they refuse to see
-or-
they have closed their eyes ⌊to the truth⌋
-or-
they have closed their eyes ⌊to what is true⌋

28:27d–f

Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them: The Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates as Otherwise expresses negative purpose: “in order not to.” It indicates that the deeds in 28:27a–c were done in order to have the things in 28:27d–f not happen. These people did not want to see, hear, understand or repent. Some examples are:

to avoid using their eyes to see… (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

so that they might not look with their eyes… (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-

in order to not look…

28:27d

see with their eyes: The verb see refers to more than just physical seeing, it also refers to understanding here.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to physical seeing. If so, you may want to make the meaning of understanding clear. Some examples are:

see ⌊and understand⌋
-or-
perceive with their eyes (Revised Standard Version)

The phrase with their eyes is already included in the meaning of the verb see. In some languages it is more natural not to translate the phrase with their eyes (as in the first example above).

hear with their ears: The phrase with their ears is already included in the meaning of the verb hear. In some languages it is more natural not to translate the phrase with their ears.

28:27e

understand with their hearts: In Greek culture, the “heart” was the center and source of inner life, so the word refers to thinking, feeling, and the will. So the phrase understand with their hearts refers to truly understanding something. Some examples are:

their mind understand (Revised English Bible)
-or-
truly understand
-or-
understand completely/deeply

The things to be understood are not stated. Here Paul probably used this message from God to refer to Jesus being the savior. In some languages an object for the verb understand is needed. If so, two examples are:

understand with their hearts ⌊what I do and say⌋
-or-
understand with their hearts ⌊what I am doing in front of them⌋

turn: This verb refers figuratively to repenting. Use a term for repenting that is natural in your language. Some examples are:

repent
-or-
turn to me (Good News Translation)
-or-
changing their ways (New Jerusalem Bible)

General Comment on 28:27a–e

In 28:27a–c, the order is heart, ears, eyes. In 28:27d–e, the order is eyes, ears, heart. This is a Hebrew (and Greek) poetic structure. In some languages it is more natural to use the same order in both places. For example:

For this people’s heart has become callused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might understand with their hearts, hear with their ears, see with their eyes and turn, and I would heal them.

28:27f

I would heal them: This clause refers figuratively to God forgiving their sins and changing them from sinning to following Him. This clause also had not actually happened, similar to 13:15d–e. They had not repented, so God had not healed them.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to healing sicknesses. If so, you may want to:

• Include some implied information. For example:

I would heal them ⌊spiritually⌋
-or-
I would heal their ⌊evil ways⌋
-or-
I would save them ⌊from sinning⌋

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

I would forgive them and change how they think

General Comment on 28:26a–27f

28:26a–27f is a quote from Isaiah 6:9–10. If you footnote the location of quotes from the Old Testament, you may want to do so here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:13

1:13a

When they arrived: The Greek is literally “when they entered.” The word “Jerusalem” is implied from 1:12. For example:

They entered the city (Good News Translation)

they went to the upper room where they were staying: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the upper room indicates that this house had a large room built on top of the main part of the house. In NT times some houses had two stories like this one. Often the room upstairs had its own staircase outside. Also, the room was probably large (the event in 1:15 may have been in this room).

It is also implied that they walked from the city gate to the house where the upstairs room was. For example:

they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying (New Living Translation (2004))

they were staying: The apostles were from Galilee. So they probably rented the room. By this time they had probably stayed there for 6 weeks or so.

1:13b–d

Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James: This list identifies who the pronoun “they” refers to in 1:13a. This is the first time that these men are mentioned by name in Acts. The Greek makes three groups with the names by using “and” between some names. For example:

Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. (English Standard Version)

But some languages must use and between every name in this list for a natural translation.

1:13b

The Greek of 1:13b begins with a word that literally means “The/Those.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word, but indicates that the list of names is connected to the pronoun “they” (1:13a) by using a colon (:) at the end of 1:13a. If you choose to translate this Greek word, here are some other ways to translate it:

there were (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon (known as the Zealot), and Judas son of James were there. (New Century Version)
-or-
They were

1:13d

James son of Alphaeus: There were two disciples with the name “James.” In order to distinguish this James from the first James (1:13b), people referred to this James as James son of Alphaeus. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Alphaeus’s son James
-or-
James who was the son of Alphaeus

In some languages the father’s name is used as a surname. For example:

James Alphaeus

Simon the Zealot: There were also two apostles with the name “Simon.” In order to distinguish this Simon from (Simon) Peter (1:13b), people referred to this Simon as Simon the Zealot.

the Zealot: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Zealot means “someone who was zealous or passionate.” At that time in Israel it referred to people zealous for Jews to be free from the control of Rome.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

the Zealous One
-or-
the Patriot (Good News Translation)
-or-
the nationalist/revolutionary

Judas son of James: This Judas was also known as Thaddeus. (See Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18.) His father James was a different person from the two apostles named James. In some languages a literal translation would imply that this James was one of the apostles. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Indicate that this James is a different person. For example:

Judas son of ⌊another⌋ James

• Explain in a footnote. For example:

This James was a different person from the two apostles named James.

In some languages the father’s name is used as a surname. For example:

Judas James

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:19

2:19a

wonders: This word refers to an amazing action or event that indicates something is about to happen. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

omens
-or-
portents (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
events that show that something will happen

the heavens above: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the heavens above refers to the sky here.

signs: Here this word refers to the kinds of miracles which are regarded as having some special meaning. In Matthew 12:38 the Pharisees wanted Jesus to do a special miracle to make it plain that God had sent him. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

miracles ⌊with special meaning⌋
-or-
supernatural occurrences/events ⌊with special meaning⌋

2:19b

blood and fire and billows of smoke: There is a textual issue here.

Many early Greek manuscripts have this phrase.

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

Some Greek manuscripts do not have this phrase.

(New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1).

These three things are examples of wonders and signs. For example:

⌊such as⌋ blood and fire and billows of smoke
-or-

⌊for example,⌋ blood and fire and billows of smoke

blood: This may refer to people killing other people or to things that turn the color of blood. Translate this word in a way that allows both meanings.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021