SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 33

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:16

1:16a–b

the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Scripture had to be fulfilled is literally “it was necessary (for) the Scripture to be fulfilled.” The things that David foretold in Scripture (1:20b–c) had to happen. This would fulfill Scripture. Those things happened to Judas.

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

⌊Certain events⌋ had to happen in order to fulfill the Scripture that the Holy Spirit spoke through David. ⌊Those events⌋ happened to Judas.
-or-
in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit said through David something that must happen involving Judas (New Century Version)
-or-
what the Holy Spirit predicted through David in Scripture about Judas had to come true (God’s Word)

1:16a

Brothers: The Greek is literally “Men, brothers.” The address is a polite way to begin speaking to the people. The address Brothers indicates that Peter was also a believer. Both words here refer to both men and women. Here are some other ways to translate this Greek phrase:

Men/People, my siblings/relatives ⌊in Christ⌋
-or-
My fellow believers

the Scripture: Here this refers to particular verses from the Psalms. Peter quoted them in 1:20. He understood them as prophecies about Judas. For example:

in the Scriptures (New Century Version)
-or-
the ⌊prophecies in⌋ Scripture

fulfilled: This word indicates that what King David said would happen. Those things happened to Judas. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

come true (Good News Translation)
-or-
truly happen

1:16b

the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David: The phrase through the mouth of is a Hebrew way of saying that the Holy Spirit caused King David to speak. He spoke the prophecies long before Judas lived.

the Holy Spirit: This phrase refers to the Spirit of God. See how you translated it in 1:2b.

David: The name David refers to a king who ruled Israel long ago and who wrote some of the Psalms. In some languages people are not familiar with David. If that is true you may want to:

• Explain who he was in your translation. For example:

King David (New Living Translation (2004))

• Translate literally and explain who he was in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

David was a king who ruled Israel about a thousand years before Jesus lived on earth. He was well regarded by God. The Scriptures have many stories about him. He wrote some of the Psalms.

1:16c

concerning Judas: The prophecies in 1:20 came true about Judas. But Judas was not named in those prophecies. Your translation should not indicate or imply that David knew that these prophecies were about Judas. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

foretells the fate of Judas (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
They came true in Judas.

General Comment on 1:16a–c

There are many things said in 1:16a–c. In some languages reordering the information is more natural. For example:

and said, “Brothers, the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David. The Scripture must be fulfilled. Those words were about Judas.
-or-
and said, “Brothers, the Holy Spirit spoke long ago about Judas through the mouth of David, and the Scripture had to be fulfilled.

1:16d

who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus: This clause further describes Judas. It does not separate Judas from other men named Judas. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

He served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.

became a guide: This phrase indicates that Judas led the group who arrested Jesus to him. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

was the guide (Good News Translation)
-or-
guided/led

arrested: This word refers to grabbing someone for the purpose of taking him to someone in authority. The leaders of the group took Jesus to the high priest to be tried in court. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

captured
-or-
seized/caught

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:22

Paragraph 2:22–24

2:22a

The quote from Joel ended in 2:21 and Peter again spoke for himself in 2:22a. In some languages that meaning is more clear by adding an introduction to this part of Peter’s speech. For example:

⌊Peter then said,⌋ “Men of Israel…

Men of Israel: This phrase refers to all people who descended from Jacob, who was later called Israel. It is another way to refer to the Jews. The word Israel would have reminded them about the covenant that God had made with their ancestors. For example:

Descendants of Israel

This address shows respect for them. Consider how to translate this phrase that would be respectful to the listeners.

Peter was also a man of Israel. He did not try to exclude himself from them here. In some languages a literal translation would imply that Peter excluded himself from them. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in your translation. For example:

⌊my fellow⌋ men of Israel
-or-
Fellow Israelites (New International Version (2011))

listen to this message: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as listen to this message is literally “listen to these words.” It refers to what follows. For example:

hear these words: (Revised Standard Version)

2:22b

Jesus of Nazareth: Peter identified Jesus by naming his hometown, Nazareth. He was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth. The Jews knew him as Jesus of Nazareth. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

Jesus from Nazareth (New Century Version)

a man certified by God to you: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

a man whom God certified to you

certified: This word refers to showing that a person is who he says he is. God showed the Jews that Jesus was the Christ by miracles, wonders, and signs. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

whose divine authority was clearly proven (Good News Translation)
-or-
confirmed
-or-
caused us(incl) to understand who he was

2:22c

miracles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as miracles is literally “powers.” The word miracles refers to actions which require supernatural power to accomplish. Jesus used God’s power to do miracles, and these miracles demonstrated that he came from God. For example, Jesus healed sick people and multiplied a few fish and loaves of bread to feed several thousand people.

Here are some other ways to translate miracles:

mighty works
-or-
amazing acts ⌊done with/by God’s power⌋
-or-
actions of supernatural power

If possible, translate this word in a different way than “wonders” or “signs.”

wonders, and signs: See how you translate wonders and signs in 2:19a.

which God did among you through Him: This clause describes the miracles, wonders, and signs. It does not separate these miracles, wonders, and signs from other miracles, wonders, and signs. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word which. For example:

God did them among you through him.

God did among you through Him: The word through indicates that Jesus did the miracles, wonders, and signs on God’s behalf. God enabled him and he did them when God said to. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

by God having him do them on his behalf in your midst
-or-
God/he was having him do among you
-or-
God/he caused him to do among you

2:22d

as you yourselves know: Probably some of the crowd had actually seen Jesus do some of those miracles, wonders, and signs. Probably all of them had heard others tell about the miracles, wonders, and signs that Jesus had done.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 3:8

3:8a

He sprang to his feet: The Greek is literally “jumping up, he stood.” It indicates that the man stood quickly. The Berean Standard Bible uses a more natural way in English to translate that meaning here. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

leaping up he stood (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
He quickly stood
-or-
He suddenly stood

3:8b–c

Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God: The grammar indicates that the man walked, jumped, and praised God at various times while they went into the temple courts. He may have walked a bit, then leapt, then praised God, then leapt again, then walked, then praised God, and so forth. Here are some other ways to translate these words:

walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
He went with them into the temple courtyard. On the way he was walking, jumping, and praising God.

3:8b

the temple courts: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as temple courts is literally “temple.” But as in 2:46 and 3:1–2, the word refers to the courtyards that surrounded the temple. Only the priests were allowed into the temple itself. See how you translated temple courts in 2:46a or 3:2c.

3:8c

praising God: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as praising God means “express approval of God,” or “speak well of God.”

In some languages direct speech must be used. For example:

he said, “God is great!”

See how you translated this phrase in 2:47a.

God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as God refers here to the eternal spirit who created everything. He is more powerful than any other spirit, and he is perfectly good and wise. See how you translated this word in 1:3e or 2:47a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:14

4:14a

And: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And introduces the leaders not saying anything to Peter and John because they could see the crippled man who was now healed. But there is implied contrast here. The leaders wanted to punish Peter and John for preaching about Jesus, but God had healed the man in the name of Jesus. So some versions translate the connection as “But” (as in the New International Version). Connect 4:14a to 4:13c in a way that is natural in your language.

seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them: This phrase introduces the reason for the result in 4:14b. Many languages must indicate this connection differently. For example:

they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, therefore

the man who had been healed: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the man whom ⌊God⌋ had healed

them: The pronoun them refers here to Peter and John.

4:14b

they had nothing to say in response: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to say means “to speak opposing someone.” The leaders could not tell Peter and John that they had done something wrong or bad. For example:

they had nothing to say to oppose them
-or-
they could say nothing against it (King James Version)

they: The pronoun they refers here to the leaders.

General Comment on 4:14a–b

In some languages it is more natural to have the reason clause last. For example:

14bBut there was nothing they could say 14asince/because they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:9

5:9a

The Greek here begins with the word that is often translated as “and.” It introduces the consequences of Sapphira lying to Peter. Here are some ways to translate this Greek word:

Then (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
But (Revised Standard Version)

How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?: This is a rhetorical question. Peter rebuked Sapphira for agreeing with Ananias to test the Holy Spirit. Here are some ways to translate this:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why did the two of you agree to test the Lord’s Spirit? (Contemporary English Version)

• As a statement. For example:

You ⌊two⌋ should not have agreed to test the Spirit of the Lord

you agree: Here the word you refers to Ananias and Sapphira. The two of them agreed to test the Holy Spirit. For example:

you(dual) agree

to test the Spirit of the Lord: The verb test indicates that Ananias and Sapphira tried to deceive Peter into thinking they had given the apostles the full amount from the sale of the land when they had not. But Peter saw that it really was a test: Would the Holy Spirit reveal the lie or not? Here are some other ways to translate this:

to try to deceive the Spirit of the Lord to accept your lie
-or-
to try to trick the Spirit of the Lord into accepting this amount as the full amount

the Spirit of the Lord: This refers to the Holy Spirit. It is not clear if Lord refers to God or Jesus. Some languages must name to whom Lord refers. If that is true in your language, add “God” or “Jesus.” You may want to follow the major language version.

Lord: This word means “master, one who has authority over others.” See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 4:33.

5:9b

Look: This word tells the listener to pay attention. It is not a command to look at something. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Hey/Indeed!
-or-
Listen, (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door: The phrase the feet of the men is a figure of speech that indicate that these men were ready to step forward and come to where Peter and Sapphira were. Translate that meaning. For example:

The men who buried your husband are on their feet and at the door
-or-
The men who buried your husband are ready and at the door

the feet of the men who buried: The Greek is more literally “the feet of the ones having buried.” It refers to the young men of 5:6 but does not use the Greek word that means “young men” here. For example:

the feet of those who have buried (New Revised Standard Version)

In some languages it would be better to use the same word as in 5:6. For example:

the feet of the young men who buried

5:9c

they will carry you out also: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as carry…out is the same one as in 5:6. It implies that Sapphira would die and the men would carry out her body. At this point of the story, she has not yet died. If possible translate carry…out as you did in 5:6. For example:

they will carry out your body also

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:41

Paragraph 5:41–42

5:41a

The Greek of this verse begins with two words that mean “certainly therefore” or just “therefore.” For example:

Therefore, truly,
-or-
And so (New Jerusalem Bible)

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing: The Greek is more literally “they were going out, rejoicing, from the presence of the Sanhedrin.” It indicates that the apostles rejoiced while they were going from the room of the Sanhedrin.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they went out from before the Sanhedrin, rejoicing as they went
-or-
They rejoiced as they went out from the Sanhedrin chamber/room

Sanhedrin: See how you translated this word in 5:21 or 5:34.

5:41b

they had been counted worthy: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

God had considered them worthy (Good News Translation)

counted worthy: Here this phrase refers to God thinking that the apostles deserved to be honored. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

considered worthy (God’s Word)
-or-
given the honor (New Century Version)

suffering disgrace: This phrase refers to experiencing things that cause disgrace or shame. Being flogged was a disgrace because it was a punishment for criminals and other bad people. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

suffer dishonor (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
be dishonored (LEB)
-or-
be shamed

for the Name: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for indicates that the apostles suffering disgrace somehow benefits the Name (of Jesus). Here are some other ways to translate this:

for the sake of the Name
-or-
to the benefit of the Name

the Name: This phrase refers to Jesus and all that he is. But Luke did not add “of Jesus,” probably because he wanted this phrase to imply that, of all people ever, this is the most important Name.

If people in your language will not know who this phrase refers to, you may want to:

• Add a footnote to explain. Here is an example footnote:

This refers to Jesus. His name is the most important.

• Explain who it refers to in your translation. For example:

the name of Jesus (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:17

15:17a–b

so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and has several possible meanings. There are two ways to interpret it:

(1) It introduces an explanation of the remnant of men. For example:

the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, namely, all the Gentiles I have called to be my own (NET Bible)

(Good News Translation, New International Version (2011), New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible)

(2) It introduces another group different from the remnant of men. For example:

the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version, English Standard Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the rest of humanity from the viewpoint of the Jews would be the Gentiles. Other ways to translate these clauses are:

all other peoples may seek the Lord—even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, all the Gentiles whom I have claimed for my own (Revised English Bible)

15:17a

the remnant of men: This phrase refers to all other people besides the Jews. For example:

the rest of humanity (New Jerusalem Bible)

may seek the Lord: This refers to looking for ways to know God, obey him, and do things that please him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

may search for the Lord (God’s Word)
-or-
may seek ⌊to know⌋ the Lord
-or-
may seek ⌊a relationship with⌋ the Lord
-or-
will turn to me (Contemporary English Version)

the Lord: God spoke these words. In some languages a literal translation might wrongly imply God spoke of someone else as the Lord. If that is true in your language, you may want to include the pronoun “I/me” here. For example:

⌊me,⌋ the Lord

15:17b–15:18

says the Lord who does these things that have been known for ages: The quote from the prophet Amos ends with the word things, so some English versions put the end quote mark there. But the words that have been known for ages are similar to Isaiah 45:21, so the Berean Standard Bible and many versions put the end quote mark at the end of 15:18. For example:

17…says the Lord, who makes these things 18known from of old.’ (English Standard Version)

Some English versions put says the Lord who does these things in 15:18, perhaps because the textual issue (see footnote on the text of 15:17c–18 below) makes 15:18 very short. If the common language version puts these words in 15:18, you may want to do that.

15:17b

who are called by My name: The Greek words here are literally “upon whom my name has been called/invoked over them.” It probably indicates that God has claimed these Gentiles as belonging to him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

over whom my name has been called (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
whom I have claimed for my own (Revised English Bible)
-or-
those I have called to be mine (New Living Translation (2004))

says the Lord: This indicates that God spoke the words of 15:16a–17b. James began speaking in 15:13b, and he began quoting scripture in 15:16a. Here this would require a third set of quote marks:

13…James spoke up: “Brothers…16‘ “After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name,” says the Lord, who does these things’…21…is read…every Sabbath.”

However, the English versions avoid the third set of quote marks. The NET Bible puts quote marks around 15:16a–17b to indicate what God spoke and indicates that 15:16a–18 is scripture by using special paragraph formatting:

as it is written, (NET Bible)

16‘After this I will return,

and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David;

I will rebuild its ruins and restore it,

17so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord,

namely, all the Gentiles I have called to be

my own,’ says the Lord, who makes

these things 18known from long ago.

19“Therefore I conclude…

Some English versions make says the Lord a separate sentence to avoid putting quote marks around God’s words. The New Living Translation (2004) also puts quote marks around the whole scripture quote and uses special paragraph formatting:

16‘Afterward I will return

and restore the fallen house of David.

I will rebuild its ruins

and restore it,

17so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord,

including the Gentiles—

all those I have called to be mine.

The Lord has spoken—

18he who made these things known so long ago.’

the Lord: This refers to God. In some languages it is clearer or more natural to include that in your translation. For example:

the Lord ⌊God⌋

General Comment on 15:16a–17b

This is a quote from Amos 9:11–12.

15:17c–15:18

who does these things that have been known for ages:
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as does has several possible meanings. There are two ways to interpret it here:

(1) It means does here and it connects only to “these things.” For example:

He is the one who will do these things that have always been known (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, King James Version)

(2) It means makes here and connects to “know” and “these things.” For example:

who made this known long ago (Good News Translation)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because this Greek word is not used together with the Greek word for known to mean “make known” elsewhere in the New Testament.

15:17c

who does these things: This clause is in Amos 9:12, but the Hebrew is clear that Amos spoke this, not God. Your translation may not need the single quote mark at the end of this phrase.

This clause tells the reader more about the Lord. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other Lord Gods and only this one does these things. If that is true in your language, translate this information in a way that tells more about the one true Lord God. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

He does these things

these things: This refers to the events in 15:16a–17b. In some languages the word “those” is more natural here. For example:

those things/events

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:8

16:8

they passed by Mysia: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as passed by:

(1) It refers to passing through Mysia without stopping to preach. For example:

they traveled right on through Mysia (Good News Translation)

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

(2) It refers to going around Mysia. For example:

passing by Mysia (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, English Standard Version, New Century Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because Troas is generally considered to be in western Mysia and Paul and his companions probably traveled through Mysia to arrive there.

went down to Troas: The phrase went down indicates a trip from the hills and mountains to the coast. The tallest mountain in the area is Mount Ida, 1774 meters (5820 feet). The main roads went around this mountain.

Troas: In this name, both vowels (“o” and “a”) are pronounced. It was the name of a city near the shore of the Aegean Sea.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021