SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 32

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 25:11

25:11a

If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death: The Greek clauses are literally “If I do wrong and have done (something) worthy of death.” They refer generally to wrongdoing and breaking laws that require the death penalty as punishment. Other ways to translate these clauses are:

If…I am a wrongdoer, and have committed anything for which I deserve to die (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
if I were a criminal and had committed some crime which deserved the death penalty (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

If, however:
This phrase in Greek can be translated literally as “Then if, on one hand.” The Greek conjunctions here and at 25:11c indicate that either situation is possible. The conjunctions say nothing about which situation is more likely. For example:

If then (Revised Standard Version)

If: Paul knew that he had committed no crime. But he used the word If to present two options for Festus to think about.

25:11b

I do not refuse to die: This clause refers to not seeking to avoid the punishment of death. If Festus truly found Paul guilty, Paul would not try to run away or avoid being killed. He would face the punishment and accept it. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I do not seek to escape death (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I do not ask to escape it (Good News Translation)
-or-
I do not ask to be saved from death (New Century Version)
-or-
I do not ask you to prevent people from executing/killing me ⌊as punishment⌋

25:11c

But if: This phrase in Greek can be translated literally as “if, on the other hand.” This introduces the other possible condition/circumstance. 25:11a–b is the first possible condition/circumstance.

if: Paul knew that the charges were not true. But he used the word if to introduce the second option for Festus to think about.

there is no truth to their accusations against me: Other ways to translate this clause are:

the charges which these Jews brought against me are not true
-or-
those charges are not true, namely those charges which the Jews accuse me ⌊of doing⌋
-or-
that which these Jews accuse me about is not true

In some languages it is more natural to avoid the relative clause with the active verb that some English versions, such as the New International Version, use. For example:

there is nothing to their charges against me (English Standard Version)
-or-
their accusations are untrue (God’s Word)
-or-
not one of their charges against me is true (NET Bible)
-or-
I am innocent (New Living Translation (2004))

25:11d

no one has the right to hand me over to them: This clause in Greek is literally “no one can give me to them as a favor.” Festus wanted to do a favor to the Jews, so Paul used that same idea here regarding Festus putting Paul under their control. For example:

then no one can give me to them (New Century Version)
-or-
no one is able to deliver me to them as a favor
-or-
no one can make a present of me to them

But the Berean Standard Bible, many other English versions, and many scholars translate the Greek word as “hand over” here. For example:

no one can hand me over to them as a favor (God’s Word)
-or-
no man may deliver me unto them (King James Version)
-or-
no one has the right to give me over to them

25:11e

I appeal to Caesar!: This clause in Greek is literally “I call to Caesar on my behalf.” Paul probably thought that Festus would be swayed too much by the Jewish leaders, so he asked here that the trial be moved to Rome. In Rome, Caesar or his representative would decide the case against Paul. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I appeal my case to Caesar!
-or-
I now ask to be tried by Caesar himself.
-or-
I want Caesar to hear my case! (New Century Version)

In a Roman court the accused person could appeal before the Roman judge decided.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 26:16

26:16a

But: The Greek conjunction is usually translated as But. There is contrast from what Paul was doing to what he would be doing.

get up and stand on your feet: Paul was probably lying face down on the ground. Here Jesus commanded him to stand and remain standing. For example:

rise and stand upon your feet
-or-
arise and ⌊remain⌋ standing

In some languages only one verb is needed. For example:

get to your feet! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Stand up! (New Century Version)

26:16b

For I have appeared to you to appoint: The Greek words here are literally “for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint.” The Greek conjunction For introduces the reason for the command to stand. Paul can now stand and see the risen Jesus, who has now appeared to him. For example:

16aI command you to stand 16bbecause I have appeared to you to appoint

The phrase “for this purpose” introduces to appoint. For example:

for I have appeared to you for this reason: to appoint (New Jerusalem Bible)

Since the English word “to” indicates purpose, some English versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, do not translate the phrase “for this purpose.” For example:

I have appeared to you to appoint (Good News Translation)

I have appeared to you: Here the word appeared refers to not being there one moment and then being there the next moment. Jesus suddenly appeared before Paul. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I have shown myself to you (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
I have come/appeared before you

to appoint you as a servant: This phrase indicates that Jesus chose to make Paul a servant. Paul would do what God or Jesus told him to do. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

to appoint you to serve (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I have chosen you to be my servant (Contemporary English Version)

26:16c

and as a witness of what you have seen from Me:
This phrase indicates that Jesus also chose to make Paul a witness of seeing Jesus. Paul would tell others about seeing Jesus alive on the Damascus road, as he was telling King Agrippa here. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

You are to tell others what you have seen of me today (Good News Translation)
-or-
and ⌊to appoint you⌋ to testify that you saw me ⌊today⌋

and what I will show you: This is the second thing that Paul would be a witness of. There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as show:

(1) The word means appear. Jesus would appear to Paul at other times and tell him things he needed to know. Examples of this are 18:9 and 23:11. For example:

and to those in which I will appear to you (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version (2011), New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) The word means show. Jesus would show things to Paul but not necessarily appear to Paul. For example:

and what I will show you in the future (Good News Translation)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that is the normal meaning of the Greek word.

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

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⌋

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021