SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 30

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 28:17

Section 28:17–31

Paul arrived in Rome and preached the gospel

In this section, Paul met with the leading Jews living in Rome. He explained that he had not caused any trouble against the Jewish people or against Jewish customs, but the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem had created trouble for him. He explained that the trouble was regarding the hope that all Jews had, that God would send the Messiah/Christ. Paul believed that Jesus was the Messiah/Christ.

The Jews living in Rome had not received any report or letter regarding him and wanted to hear what he had to say. Some days later Paul explained from Scripture (at that time, the Old Testament) why Jesus was the Messiah. Some Jews accepted his message and believed in Jesus. Paul warned the other Jews not to reject this good news about Jesus. He also said that God offers this salvation to the Gentiles also. Some of them would listen and believe in Jesus.

For two years Paul waited for his time to stand before Caesar. During that time, he boldly preached that people should believe in Jesus. The book of Acts ends with Paul preaching and teaching unhindered.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard (New International Version)
-or-
Paul in Rome (English Standard Version)

Paragraph 28:17–20

28:17a

he called together the leaders of the Jews: The Greek verb indicates that Paul asked the leaders to come to him. The Roman authority may have restricted Paul to staying near his house. For example:

Paul invited the most influential Jews in Rome to meet with him (God’s Word)

the leaders of the Jews: This phrase in Greek is literally “those being first of the Jews.” The word “first” refers to those who were most important among the Jews in Rome, namely the leaders and other men who had status and power in the Jewish community in Rome. Scholars believe that ten or eleven leaders were asked to come. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the local leaders of the Jews (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the most prominent men of the Jews ⌊in Rome⌋
-or-
the most influential Jews in Rome (God’s Word)

The phrase should be similar to the phrase in 25:2 (“Jewish leaders”), except that here the phrase refers only to important Jews in Rome.

28:17b

When they had gathered: This refers to gathering at the place where Paul was staying. Other ways to translate this clause are:

when they had assembled (New International Version)
-or-
when they arrived (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

28:17c–e

although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans: The word although indicates that the clause I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers is true. It also indicates that despite that being true, Paul was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. Other ways to indicate this connection are:

even though I did nothing against our people or the customs that we received from our ancestors, I was made a prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans (Good News Translation)
-or-
I never did anything against our people or against the customs of our forefathers; yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans (Revised English Bible)

28:17c

Brothers: This phrase in Greek is literally “”Men, brothers.” The address “Men” is a polite way to begin speaking to the Jewish leaders. These Jewish leaders were probably all men. The address Brothers indicates that Paul was also a Jew. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

Men, my brothers/relatives
-or-
My fellow Israelites (Good News Translation)

The address Brothers refers to fellow Jews, and it does not indicate that these Jews were believers in Jesus. You should not translate this in a way that refers to fellow Christians. See how you translated this phrase in 1:16 or 15:7, but remember Paul is addressing fellow Jews here, not fellow Christians.

I have done nothing against our people: The phrase our people refers to the Jews. This clause indicates that after Paul became a Christian he did not oppose the Jewish people in any way. Other ways to translate this are:

I have never done anything to hurt our people (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I have committed no crime against our fellow ⌊Jews⌋
-or-
I have done no wrong to our people ⌊the Jews⌋

28:17d

the customs of our fathers: This refers to the rules that Jews made long ago for living properly as a Jew. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the customs of our forefathers (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the ways of life of our ancestors
-or-
the ways that our ancestors behaved/lived

28:17e

I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans: The Greek words here are literally “a prisoner from Jerusalem I was delivered into the hands of the Romans.” This is a brief summary of some Jews trying to kill Paul in Jerusalem but Lysias coming and taking him from them and then sending him down to the Roman governor in Caesarea (21:27–23:35).

Paul used a passive clause to avoid referring specifically to the people who did these things. He clearly implied here the Jewish leaders living in Jerusalem, but politely did not name them to the Jewish leaders living in Rome. Some languages must use an active clause. If possible refer only generally to those who arrested Paul. For example:

⌊They⌋ arrested me in Jerusalem and put me into the hands of the Romans.
-or-

⌊Some people⌋ grabbed me in Jerusalem and gave me to the Romans for them to imprison me.
-or-

⌊Some people⌋ grabbed me in Jerusalem and caused me to be imprisoned by the Romans.

But if a general reference would imply someone different than the Jewish leaders (28:19), you should indicate the Jewish leaders here. For example:

⌊The Jewish leaders⌋ arrested me in Jerusalem and put me into the hands of the Romans.
-or-

⌊The Jews⌋ grabbed me in Jerusalem and gave me to the Romans for them to imprison me.
-or-

⌊The Jews⌋ grabbed me in Jerusalem and caused me to be imprisoned by the Romans.

It is also possible to use an intransitive verb (or verbs). For example:

I became a prisoner and ⌊they⌋ gave me to the Roman authorities

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:3

1:3a

After His suffering: The word suffering here refers to when Jesus was beaten, mocked, and then died on the cross. In some languages a literal translation would refer to something else. If that is true in your language, you may want to include the implied information. For example:

After his suffering ⌊on the day he died⌋

1:3b

He presented Himself to them: Jesus appeared to the apostles a number of times after he became alive again, as 1:3c makes clear. For example:

he appeared to them many times (Good News Translation)
-or-
he became visible to them ⌊so they saw him⌋ ⌊many times⌋

1:3c

with many convincing proofs that He was alive: This clause refers to the days after God resurrected Jesus. In some languages a literal translation would refer generally to his life. If that is true in your language, include the implied information. For example:

and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive ⌊again⌋
-or-
he proved in many ways that he had been raised from death (Contemporary English Version)

with many convincing proofs: This phrase indicates that Jesus clearly showed the apostles in different ways that he was actually alive again. For example, he let them touch him and he ate with them. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

he proved in many ways (New Century Version)
-or-
showed…in many convincing ways (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
did many things so that they would ⌊thoroughly⌋ know

1:3d

He appeared to them over a span of forty days: These forty days were after Jesus had become alive again and before he went up to heaven. The apostles saw Jesus a number of times during those forty days. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

appeared to them repeatedly over a period of forty days (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
appearing to them during forty days (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time (New Living Translation (2004))

1:3e

the kingdom of God: This phrase refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over. It refers to the relationship that he has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king.

Here are some ways to translate this:

• With a noun. For example:

God’s rule/reign
-or-
God’s kingship
-or-
God’s chieftaincy
-or-
God’s government

• With a verb. For example:

God rules his people
-or-
God cares for his people as king

God: This word refers here to the eternal spirit who created everything. He is more powerful than any other spirit, and he is perfectly good and wise. He deserves to be worshiped. Here are some ways to translate God:

• Use a name or title for God that people in your culture already use.

• Use a descriptive term that fits the truth about God that is revealed in the Bible. For example:

Creator
-or-
Great Spirit
-or-
Ruler of the universe

• Use a borrowed word from the major language in your area. Choose a term that is acceptable to the believers and interested organizations in your area.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:9

2:9a–11b

This list describes the kinds of people who listened to the believers speak their languages. Luke made it part of their whole speech by putting the verb “we hear” at the end of the list in 2:11c. Some versions include that idea at the beginning for clarity. For example:

We are from Parthia, Media, and Elam; from Mesopotamia, Judea… (Good News Translation)
-or-
Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea… (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Some of us are from Parthia, Media, and Elam. Others are from Mesopotamia, Judea… (Contemporary English Version)

2:9a

Parthians, Medes, and Elamites: These names refer to people from the regions of Parthia, Media and Elam. Parthia was southeast of the Caspian Sea and extended to the Euphrates River. Media was northeast of the Tigris River. Elam was east of the lower Tigris River and north of the Persian Gulf. Many years before this time some of the Jews had dispersed to many places, including these three locations, and at this time they spoke the languages of those regions. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

people from Parthia, Media, and Elam
-or-
born in Parthia, Media, and Elam

2:9b–10a

residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene: The phrase residents of applies to these specific places. Some of the Jews in the crowd lived in these places and were visiting Jerusalem. You should make it clear that the Jews were residents of these places. For example:

residents of Mesopotamia, ⌊residents of⌋ Judea and Cappadocia, ⌊residents of⌋ Pontus and Asia…

2:9b

Mesopotamia: Mesopotamia was a region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and on either side of these rivers.

Judea: Judea refers to the homeland of the Jews.

Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia: Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia were Roman provinces in what is now the country of Turkey. Cappadocia was located in the middle of Turkey. Pontus was located in the northeast, extending from the Black Sea to the Caucasus mountains.

Asia: The province of Asia was located in the western part of Turkey. It bordered the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. But in English the name now refers to the region that includes the country of China but not Turkey. You may want to:

• Make it clear that Asia here refers to the Roman province with that name. For example:

⌊the province of⌋ Asia

• Explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

At that time this name referred to the land in what is now the western part of Turkey.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:42

2:42a

They: This pronoun refers to all believers here, including the new believers of 2:41a.

devoted themselves to: This phrase refers to being faithful in doing something and persevere in doing it. This action applies to the next four activities: teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. The Greek tense indicates they did this for some time. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

were continually devoting themselves to (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
spent their time (New Century Version)
-or-
persevered in

the apostles’ teaching: The word teaching probably refers to both public preaching and private instruction. The apostles taught about what Jesus did and said and who God said he was.

the fellowship: The word fellowship refers to the believers being closely associated with other believers. This would include meeting together regularly. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

share the common life (Revised English Bible)
-or-
they were like family to each other (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
sharing (New Century Version)
-or-
the community ⌊of believers⌋

2:42b

the breaking of bread: This phrase refers to eating a meal. The kind of bread most often eaten by the Jews was hard, so it would break rather than tear. At meals, the hard loaf was broken and shared among the people eating. Here it probably refers both to eating regular meals together and celebrating the Lord’s Supper. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

sharing in the fellowship meals (Good News Translation)
-or-
sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper) (New Living Translation (2004))

to prayer: Here this word refers to the believers gathering together to pray as a group or groups.

prayer: This word refers to what people say to God. It can include both requests and praises.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:1

Section 4:1–22

Jewish leaders arrested Peter and John

In this section, the Jewish leaders arrested Peter and John and put them in jail. The leaders were very concerned about what those two men were teaching and could not decide what to do with them. So they threatened to punish them if they continued to tell people about Jesus, and then released them from prison. But Peter and John refused to stop speaking about Jesus.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Peter and John were brought before the ⌊Jewish⌋ Council
-or-
Peter and John Before the Council (English Standard Version)

Paragraph 4:1–4

4:1a–c

At the end of chapter three, Peter and John were in the temple area. The priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees came to them there. Since a new chapter begins here, it would be helpful for readers in some languages to say again where Peter and John are. For example:

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people ⌊in the temple area⌋.

4:1b

the priests: Not all the priests came. But this group of priests acted as a delegation from the whole group. In some languages the word “the” would imply that all the priests came. If that is true in your language, indicate the correct meaning. For example:

Priests
-or-

⌊Some⌋ priests

priests: A Jewish “priest” was a man who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. He also performed other rituals for them.

Here are some other ways to translate priests:

• Use a descriptive term that focuses on the function of priests. For example:

sacrificers
-or-
men/persons who offer sacrifices to God
-or-
those who represent people to God

• Use a local word for priests. This option may be acceptable if the duties of local priests are similar to those of an Israelite/Jewish priest. You may need to indicate that the word refers to Jewish priests. For example:

Jewish people’s priests
-or-
sacrificers for the Jewish people

If possible, you should choose a term that can be used in both Old Testament and New Testament contexts.

the captain of the temple guard: The man who was the captain of the temple guard was in charge of the temple police who guarded and maintained order in the temple area. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the officer in charge of the Temple guards (Good News Translation)
-or-
the commander of the temple guard (NET Bible)
-or-
the leader of the temple police

the Sadducees: Not all the Sadducees came. But this group of Sadducees acted as a delegation from the whole group. In some languages the word “the” would imply that all the Sadducees came. If that is true in your language, indicate the correct meaning. For example:

Sadducees
-or-

⌊some⌋ Sadducees

Sadducees: The Sadducees were a Jewish religious group or party. They taught that the first five books of the Old Testament were more important than the other books. They did not believe that angels or spirits existed (Acts 23:8). Here are some ways to translate this word:

• Transliterate the word Sadducees according to the sounds of your language and indicate that it refers to a group of people. For example:

Sadusi members
-or-
Saduce adherents

• Transliterate the word Sadducees and indicate that it refers to a group of people with certain beliefs. For example:

people belonging to the Sadusi religious group
-or-
members of the Jewish group called the Saduceo

4:1c

came up to them: The phrase came up to indicates that the priests, the police leader, and the Sadducees walked to where Peter and John were in order to arrest them (4:3). Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

approached Peter and John (God’s Word)
-or-
came to Peter and John

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:33

4:33a

With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony: The phrase With great power indicates either that they spoke the Good News forcefully and effectively, or that they did miracles to accompany their words, or both.

the apostles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as apostles means “those sent with a message.” See how you translated this word in 1:2 or 2:43.

continued to give their testimony: This phrase in Greek is literally “were giving testimony.” It indicates that the apostles told people about the resurrection of Jesus, and the rest of the gospel, for some time after this. It does not imply that they later stopped, but that their preaching was ongoing. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

were telling the good news about the resurrection…
-or-
were announcing the news that

4:33b

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

the Lord Jesus rising from the dead
-or-
the Lord Jesus being raised to life
-or-

⌊God⌋ causing the Lord Jesus to live again

See how you translated this word in 1:22 or 2:31.

Lord Jesus: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “master,” or “one who has authority over others.” See how you translated it in 1:6 or 4:29a.

4:33c

And abundant grace was upon them all: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as grace:

(1) It refers to God’s grace. God was helping them in many ways. For example:

[ God’s ] abundant good will was with all of them (God’s Word)

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

(2) It refers to the Jews respecting the believers. For example:

they were all accorded great respect (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the implied source of the “great power” in 4:33a was God, and without the Greek explicitly saying differently, the source of abundant grace would likely be the same. Also, the relationship of the people of Jerusalem to the believers in not in focus in this verse.

them all: This phrase refers to all believers, not just all apostles. For example:

all the believers (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:28

5:28a

“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said:
The Berean Standard Bible put the words he said in the middle of what the high priest said. In many languages, it is more natural to have it first. For example:

He said, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name.

We gave you strict orders: In 4:18, the Jewish leaders had told the apostles “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” The clause here in 5:28 refers to that command. Here are some other ways to translate this:

We strictly commanded you (LEB)
-or-
We commanded you strongly/completely

teach in this name: Here name represents the whole person. So the phrase in this name means “about him” or “by/using his authority.” The apostles taught about Jesus, they taught his teachings, and they taught by his authority.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning. For example:

teach about this man and by his authority
-or-
concerning him
-or-
teach by the authority of that man

this name: This refers to the name of Jesus. If people in your language area will not know who this refers to, you may want to explain in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This refers to Jesus.

5:28b

Yet: The Greek is literally “and look.” It commands the listener to pay attention to the words that follow. Here are some other ways to translate this Greek phrase:

And listen,
-or-
Hey/Indeed,

you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching: This clause is a figure of speech that indicates that many people in Jerusalem had heard the apostles teach about Jesus.

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 taught so much that everyone in Jerusalem has heard your teaching
-or-
You have taught and taught and so everyone in Jerusalem has heard it

5:28c

are determined: The Greek word here means “wish, want, intend, plan.” The high priest thought that the apostles were claiming that the leaders were guilty of murdering Jesus and were wanting the Jews in general to believe they were guilty in that way.

Here are some other ways to translate this Greek word:

intend (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
want (New Living Translation (2004))

to make us responsible for this man’s blood: This clause refers to the apostles accusing the leaders of murdering Jesus. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

accuse of being guilty of that person’s murder
-or-
to make us guilty saying we wrongfully killed him

this man’s blood: Here the word blood refers to a person’s life. In some languages a literal translation would refer only to blood. If that is true in your language, refer to a person’s life. See the examples above.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:4

15:4a–b

they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the church and the apostles and elders welcomed them

welcomed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as welcomed indicates here that they accepted Paul, Barnabas and the others as fellow believers, and greeted them in a friendly manner. It also implies that they showed them hospitality, giving them food and a place to sleep while in Jerusalem. Consider how to translate that meaning in your language. Some other ways to translate this are:

greeted them kindly/happily
-or-
received them ⌊as guests⌋
-or-
accepted them ⌊and showed them hospitality⌋

the church and apostles and elders: The apostles and elders were a part of the church. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that the apostles and elders were separate from the church. If that is true in your language, indicate they are a part of the church. For example:

the church, including the apostles and elders,

15:4c

they reported all that God had done through them: In Greek, this clause repeats almost identically a clause in 14:27. See how you translated it there.

they…them: These two pronouns refer to Paul and Barnabas. It does not refer to the others who traveled with them to Jerusalem.

reported: This word refers to fully telling what happened. Other ways to translate this word are:

informed
-or-
told in detail

through them: In Greek, this is literally “with them.” God did this work, but he did it “with” or through Paul and Barnabas. This refers to God causing or helping Paul and Barnabas to preach and then working in the hearts of the listeners so that many of them believed in Jesus (chapters 13–14). Some other ways to translate this are:

with them
-or-
using them
-or-
helping/enabling them

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021