SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 31

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 18:15

18:15a

since: The Greek word is often translated as “if.” But it is likely true that Gallio is certain that the matter between the Jews and Paul is only disagreements about words and names and the Jewish law. Therefore many English versions translate the Greek word as since.

it is a dispute about: The pronoun it refers to the accusation against Paul. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

this concerns (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the things you are saying are (New Century Version)

words: These questions are matters of religion. Gallio saw this dispute only as a matter of the Jewish religion. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as words usually implies that these words cause arguments. For example:

⌊controversial⌋ words
-or-
words ⌊of religion⌋ ⌊that cause arguments⌋

names: This word may imply the argument that Paul said that Jesus should be named the Christ (18:5c) but the Jews disagreed. It is not known how much Gallio, as a Roman, knew about the problems that the Jews had with Christian beliefs. So you should translate the word literally.

your own law: This phrase refers to the Jewish laws.

18:15b

settle it yourselves: The Greek words here are literally “you will see (to it) yourselves.” The future tense here is used as a command from an official to those under his authority. The command tells the Jews to resolve the problem themselves. Other ways to translate this clause are:

see to it yourselves (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
you must deal with it yourselves (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you will have to take care of it (Contemporary English Version)

18:15c

I refuse to be a judge of such things: The Greek words are literally “a judge, I, of these things, (I) do not intend/want to be.” It emphasizes “a judge, I, of these things.” It asserts strongly that Gallio has no desire at all to judge these matters of religion. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I myself have no intention of being a judge of these matters/questions
-or-
I, as judge of these things? I refuse.
-or-
No way do I want to judge these things!

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 19:19

19:19a–b

And a number of those who had practiced magic arts: The Greek is literally “a number of the ones having practiced sorcery.” The Greek is the normal past tense (called “aorist”). There are two ways to interpret the Greek past tense here:

(1) It indicates that this group of people stopped practicing sorcery at some time in the past. It would imply that they stopped when they began believing in Jesus. For example:

A good many of those who formerly practised magic (Revised English Bible)

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

(2) It indicates that this group of people stopped practicing sorcery at this time. It could be that this group began believing in Jesus at this time, or that they believed earlier and only stopped at this time. For example:

a number of those who practiced magic arts (Revised Standard Version)

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

Two other decisions about the context affect which interpretation to choose:

(a) Does Luke imply that the believers stopped practicing sorcery immediately upon believing in Jesus?

(b) Is this part of the group Luke mentions in 19:18, a separate group that believed earlier, or a separate group that believed at this time?

Interpretation (1) assumes that the believers stopped practicing when they believed and that this group began believing earlier. Interpretation (2) assumes either that this group began believing at this time, or that they believed earlier and only on this day stopped practicing magic.

The Greek seems to imply that this group is separate from the group in 19:18, but it could be some of that group. If it was the same group, this author would have expected “a number of them” here. But whether this group believed earlier or on this day is not clear at all. Both interpretations are possible.

And a number of those who: The word number refers to an unknown amount. It is less than “all” but more than “a few.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

Many of those who (Good News Translation)
-or-
Some of them who (New Century Version)

had practiced: Here the word practiced refers to doing something regularly. Other ways to translate this word are:

did
-or-
used (New Century Version)

magic arts: This word refers to the use of secret sayings and rituals that are supernaturally powerful. People would use these sayings and rituals to cause things to happen that they could not do by their own power. Other ways to translate this word are:

magic (Good News Translation)
-or-
witchcraft (Contemporary English Version)

brought their books and burned them in front of everyone: These clauses probably imply that all who became believers and who had scrolls of magic burned them. 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:

A number who had practiced sorcery had scrolls of magic. They ⌊all⌋ gathered those scrolls and burned them publicly.

books: This word refers to strips of papyrus paper or animal skin (leather or parchment) which people have written on. They were rolled around a stick. Magic scrolls were usually small.

The difference between a scroll and a book is not important here. In some languages to translate the word “scrolls” would need a long descriptive phrase. If that is true in your language, you may want to translate this word as books, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

19:19c

When the value of the books was calculated: The word calculated probably refers to adding the value of all the scrolls. Or someone may have estimated the number of scrolls and multiplied that number by a typical value for those kinds of scrolls. For example:

they counted the value of them (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
They added up the price of the books (Good News Translation)
-or-
The value of these was calculated to be (New Jerusalem Bible)

value: Here this word refers to the price or cost of something.

19:19d

fifty thousand drachmas: This phrase in Greek is literally “fifty thousand (pieces of) silver.” For example:

fifty thousand silver pieces (New Jerusalem Bible)

These “pieces of silver” were probably the Greek silver coins called “drachma.” For example:

fifty thousand silver coins (Good News Translation)

But a “drachma” was the wage of a farm worker for one day. It has the same value as a Roman denarius coin (Matthew 18:28, Mark 12:15, Luke 7:41). In some languages using the word “coin” or “pieces” would imply a small value. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate “pieces of silver” as “denarii” or “drachma.” For example:

fifty thousand drachma/denarii

Then you may want to explain the value of this coin in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The drachma/denarius was the wage of a farm worker for one day.

• Translate using “pieces of silver” or “coins” and explain the value in a footnote. An example footnote is:

These coins were very valuable. One coin was equal to the wage of a farm worker for one day.
-or-
These silver pieces were very valuable. One piece was equal to the wage of a farm worker for one day.

• Indicate in your translation that fifty thousand pieces of silver was a lot of money. For example:

⌊the large/huge amount of⌋ fifty thousand drachma/denarii

• Translate the value using the wages of a farm worker. For example:

the same amount of money as the wages of about 160 farm workers working for a year

You may then want to indicate the literal words in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally “fifty thousand pieces of silver.” These “pieces of silver” were probably the Greek silver coins called drachma. One drachma was the wage of a farm worker for one day.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 20:10

20:10a–b

threw himself on the young man, and embraced him: Here the phrase threw himself refers to Paul hurriedly placing himself on top of the body of Eutychus.

The Greek words indicate that the purpose of Paul throwing himself was to put his arms around the body. But it is implied that Paul actually did put his arms around the body. So the Berean Standard Bible translates the second clause as actually happening at this time.

Other ways to translate these Greek words are:

hurriedly lay down on the young man to put his arms around him. ⌊He put his arms around him and⌋
-or-
hurriedly placed himself down on the young man and put his arms around him
-or-
lay-prostrate embracing the young man

20:10c

Do not be alarmed: The Greek grammar probably indicates that the people were already alarmed. It probably implies that they were already grieving. For example:

Stop being alarmed

But many English versions translate this command as “do not…”

alarmed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as alarmed refers to being troubled or distressed. Other ways to translate this word are:

distressed (NET Bible)
-or-
sorrowful

he said: The Berean Standard Bible placed the phrase he said in the middle of the spoken words. Place it where it would be most natural in your language.

He is still alive: This clause in Greek is literally “for his life is in him.” The context implies that God enabled Paul to cause Eutychus to live again. It does not imply that Paul thought that Eutychus remained alive after he fell. In some languages a literal translation would not imply the correct information. If that is true in your language, you may want to indicate the correct meaning in your translation. For example:

He is alive now (New Century Version)
-or-
because he has come back to life
-or-
because he has become alive again

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 21:4

21:4a

We sought out the disciples in Tyre: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sought out includes searching. Paul knew that some disciples lived in Tyre, but did not know where. So he looked for them. For example:

Searching for and finding the disciples there
-or-
We searched for and found disciples there

the disciples: The word the indicates that Paul knew that some disciples lived in Tyre. It does not refer to the first twelve disciples of Jesus. For example:

some disciples (Good News Translation)

disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples refers to learners who are in a special relationship with a teacher. The learner commits himself to his teacher in order to learn and live according to his teaching and example.

This is Luke’s usual term in Acts to describe Christians. See how you translated this word in 6:1 or 20:30.

21:4b

Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem: The phrase Through the Spirit indicates that the Holy Spirit told the disciples something that was about Paul. But the clause does not indicate exactly what the Spirit told them. For example:

The ⌊Holy⌋ Spirit spoke to them about Paul, and they urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem

Earlier, the Holy Spirit told Paul to go to Jerusalem (20:22). He also warned Paul that he would suffer and people would put him in prison (20:23). The Holy Spirit had not changed his mind and now did not want Paul to go to Jerusalem. Many scholars believe the following happened:

(a) The Holy Spirit revealed to some believers in Tyre that people would cause Paul to suffer and put him in prison in Jerusalem. This is similar to what is described in 20:23 and in 21:10–14.

(b) Hearing what the Holy Spirit said, the believers in Tyre, by their own thinking, urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

You may want to:

• Explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Earlier, the Holy Spirit told Paul to go to Jerusalem (20:22). He also warned Paul that people would make him suffer and put him in prison (20:23). The Holy Spirit also told the believers in Tyre the same thing. But when they heard that, they decided that Paul should not go there.

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

They ⌊heard that Paul would suffer in Jerusalem⌋ from the ⌊Holy⌋ Spirit, and urged him/Paul not to go ⌊there⌋

they kept telling Paul: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kept telling simply means “told.” The Greek verb probably indicates they told him more than once. For example:

they urged Paul (New International Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 21:36

21:36

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as For introduces this verse. Here it introduces additional information about the crowd. For example:

for the multitude of the people kept following them, shouting, “Away with him! (New American Standard Bible)
-or-

and indeed the whole mob was after them, shouting, ‘Do away with him!’ (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Berean Standard Bible uses the conjunction, but the New International Version and many English versions omit the conjunction and allow the context to indicate that meaning.

the crowd that followed him kept shouting: The Greek grammar indicates that the crowd continued following and shouting. Other ways to translate this clause are:

The crowd were following and shouting
-or-
the crowd followed behind shouting, “Kill him, kill him!” (New Living Translation (2004))

the crowd: This phrase in Greek is literally “the multitude of people.” It refers to the crowd/mob (21:35c). Here its meaning is very similar to “crowd.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the mob of the people (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they (Good News Translation)

Away with him: This command probably implies killing Paul. Some English versions translate the implied meaning. For example:

Kill him! (Good News Translation)

The command is addressed to someone the crowd would call “you(sing).” They probably said this to the commander.

Some languages must use a pronoun in a command. If that is true in your language, use “you(sing)” here. For example:

You(sing), take him away
-or-
You(sing), kill him

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 22:29

Paragraph 22:29

22:29a

The Greek conjunction often translated as “therefore” introduces this verse. Paul had confirmed his citizenship before the commander, also a Roman. So the soldiers back away from flogging a Roman citizen. For example:

So… (Revised Standard Version)

those who were about to interrogate Paul: This phrase refers to the soldiers who were ready to flog Paul (22:24a–25a).

to interrogate Paul: Here this phrase implies that the soldiers would ask Paul why the Jewish crowd was so upset with him (22:24b–c). In some languages a literal translation would not imply that here. If that is true in your language, you may want to include the implied information here. For example:

to interrogate Paul ⌊to find out why the people were shouting at him⌋

22:24b also indicates that the soldiers would flog him as well. In some languages it is more natural or more clear to indicate again that information. For example:

to ⌊flog and⌋ question him

stepped back: This phrase indicates that they stepped further away from Paul. They were no longer ready to flog him. Other ways to translate this word are:

moved away (New Century Version)
-or-
stepped away (God’s Word)
-or-
backed off (Contemporary English Version)

22:29b

and the commander himself was alarmed: This clause in Greek is literally “and the commander also was afraid.” It connects the reaction of the soldiers to the reaction of the commander. Both the soldiers and the commander were afraid. For example:

and the tribune also was afraid (Revised Standard Version)

22:29c

when he realized that he had put a Roman citizen in chains: People were not allowed to put chains on Roman citizens when they arrested them. But the commander had put chains on Paul (21:33b). So he was afraid of being punished. Other ways to translate this clause are:

for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
when he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains (Good News Translation)
-or-
when he realised that he had put a Roman citizen in chains (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
when he realized that Paul was Roman and that he had put chains on him, ⌊which broke/violated Roman law⌋

had put…in chains: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as put…in chains is means “to tie/bind.” For example:

had bound (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
he had already tied (New Century Version)

21:33b indicates that Paul was bound with chains. So the Berean Standard Bible and some English versions refer clearly to that event. For example:

had chained him
-or-
had bound him with/by chains
-or-
had tied/fastened chains ⌊to his wrists⌋
-or-
had put him in irons (Revised English Bible)

General Comment on 22:29c

At the time of 22:29c, the commander knew that Paul was a Roman citizen. So it is most likely that he immediately removed the chains. In many languages a literal translation would not clearly indicate or imply that. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains. ⌊So he removed them.⌋

• Translate literally and explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The commander now knew that Paul was a Roman citizen, so he probably removed the chains immediately.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 23:31

Paragraph 23:31–35

23:31a

So: This conjunction indicates that the story resumes from 23:24. The letter ended at 23:30. Consider how to indicate that the story resumes here.

followed their orders: This phrase in Greek is literally “according to the thing commanded them.” It indicates they obeyed the orders of the commander. The Berean Standard Bible here has that meaning. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

as ordered (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
obeyed the commander’s orders (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
did what they were told (New Century Version)

23:31b

brought Paul: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brought means “take up” or “take along.” It indicates that the soldiers got Paul ready for the journey. They took him out of the room he was in and gave him a horse to ride. Paul got on the horse to go with them. For example:

They got Paul (Good News Translation)
-or-
They led Paul ⌊out to his horse⌋

23:31c

to Antipatris: The journey from Jerusalem to Antipatris is about 68 kilometers (42 miles) in a generally northwest direction. The journey also starts in the Judean hills at 760 meters (2,500 feet) in elevation and ends near sea level. It would take soldiers about sixteen hours to travel this distance on foot. The horsemen and Paul traveled with the soldiers who walked.

Antipatris: Antipatris was a city. For example:

the city of Antipatris (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 25:1

Section 25:1–22

Paul was on trial before Festus

In this section, while Festus was in Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders asked that he have Paul’s trial there. Paul was in Caesarea. Festus returned to Caesarea. Wishing to please the Jews, he recommended that Paul return to Jerusalem for the trial. Paul refused, probably concerned about being put in the hands of the Jews. He said that he wanted Caesar to decide whether he was guilty or not.

King Agrippa came to visit Festus. Festus explained the situation with Paul, and King Agrippa asked to hear what Paul had to say. Festus said yes to his request.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Trial Before Festus (New International Version)
-or-
Festus heard Paul and his accusers in court
-or-
Paul before Festus (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Paul appeals to Caesar (New Jerusalem Bible)

Paragraph 25:1–5

25:1a

Three days after his arrival in the province: The word province refers to Judea, which included the cities of Caesarea and Jerusalem. The phrase implies that he began his rule as governor when he arrived.

25:1b

Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem: Caesarea was the Roman capital of the province. It is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Jerusalem. It was a two or three day journey. Caesarea is on the seacoast, and Jerusalem is up in the mountains at about 760 meters (2,500 feet) in elevation. So the phrase went up refers to going up in elevation. In some languages it is more natural not to use the word up. For example:

he went from Caesarea to Jerusalem (Good News Translation)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021