SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 35

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 25:8

25:8a–c

Paul spoke with respect to Festus. Translate in a way that indicates respect.

Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”: The quote here is only a summary of the main topics. It is probably a summary of all that Paul said to defend himself. Other ways to translate these clauses are:

Paul, in his defense, said, “I have committed no offense in any way against the Jewish Law, or against the temple, or against Caesar.”
-or-
Paul made his defense ⌊and in summary said⌋, “I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

The Greek probably indicates that Paul defended himself while the Jews accused him (25:7). It probably indicates that both the Jews and Paul spoke a number of times while in front of Festus. For example:

while Paul made his defense saying that he had done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar

It does not indicate that they spoke at the same time and Festus had to listen to two people talking at the same time. Perhaps to avoid that, some English versions are ambiguous as to when Paul spoke. For example:

Paul’s defence was this, ‘I have committed no offence whatever against either Jewish law, or the Temple, or Caesar.’ (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” (English Standard Version)

25:8a

Paul made his defense: The phrase made…defense refers to responding to accusations and explaining that the person had not done as accused. See how you translated a similar clause in 24:10 (“make my defense”).

25:8b

I have committed no offense: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as committed no offense is often translated “have not sinned.” Here it refers to not breaking any laws of the Jews, doing anything to dishonor the temple, or doing anything against Caesar. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I have done nothing wrong (New International Version)
-or-
I am not guilty of any crime (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

I haven’t broken any Jewish law or done anything against the temple or the emperor (God’s Word)

25:8c

against the temple: This phrase indicates that Paul did not harm the temple or say something bad about it. For example:

done anything against the temple (God’s Word)

against Caesar: This phrase indicates that Paul did not harm Caesar or say something bad about him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

harm Caesar
-or-
slander Caesar

Caesar: This word was the family name of the first five Roman emperors. The last, Nero, was ruling at this time. He was the leader of the Romans and all the people groups that the Romans had conquered. See how you spelled this word in 17:7.

If people in your area are not familiar with this name, you may want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Caesar was leader of the Roman empire.

© 2001, 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 26:13

26:13a

Paul respectfully addressed the king again here.

About noon, O king, as I was on the road: The term of address occurs in the middle of the sentence. In some languages it is more natural to have the term of address first. For example:

O king, about noon as I was on the road

I saw a light from heaven: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heaven can refer to either the sky or heaven. The light was up in the sky but using this word implies God caused the light to occur. In some languages both terms are needed to explain the implied information. For example:

I saw a light ⌊in the sky coming⌋ from heaven

26:13b

shining around me and my companions: This phrase indicates that the light shone brightly on the ground in a small area. In the middle of that area were Paul and his companions. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

blazing around me and my companions (New International Version)
-or-
shining in a circle with me and my companions in the middle

my companions: This phrase in Greek is literally “those traveling with me.” For example:

the men traveling with me (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 27:13

Section 27:13–26

A violent storm drove the ship off its course

In this section, they tried to sail to Phoenix, but before they got far the wind changed direction and began to blow very strongly. This forced them in the wrong direction. They strengthened the ship by tying ropes around it. They threw away some of the cargo so the ship would be less heavy and less likely to sink. The storm hid the sun, stars, and land, so they did not know where they were. After a week or more, God sent an angel who spoke to Paul, and he encouraged the people on the ship.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Storm (New International Version)
-or-
A strong storm threatened ⌊to sink⌋ the ship
-or-
They sailed ⌊for Phoenix⌋ but a storm tried to destroy the ship

Paragraph 27:13–20

27:13a

When a gentle south wind began to blow: The word gentle indicates a wind that blew only a little. It was not a strong wind.

south wind: This phrase refers to a wind blowing from the south.

27:13b

they thought they had their opportunity: The ship needed a wind from the north, east, or south to be able to travel well to the west. When the wind began blowing from the south, they thought they had a good wind for traveling west. They did not know the wind was about to change. Other ways to translate this clause are:

supposing that they had obtained their purpose (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the men thought that they could carry out their plan (Good News Translation)
-or-
the sailors thought they could make it (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the men on the ship thought, “This is the wind we wanted, and now we have it.” (New Century Version)

27:13c

So: The Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions add So here. It is implied in the Greek either here or before “sailed.”

they weighed anchor: This clause refers to pulling the anchor from the sea floor up to the ship so that the ship could begin sailing. For example:

they pulled up the anchor (Good News Translation)

anchor: This word refers to a device that is heavy and often shaped like an upside-down “T.” Sailors would lower it to the sea bottom with a rope attached. The other end of the rope was tied to the ship. The anchor would dig into the ground at the sea bottom and prevent the ship from drifting away. In some languages people are not familiar with anchors. If so, you may want to describe it in your translation. For example:

⌊heavy⌋ thing that prevented the ship from drifting
-or-
iron/metal weight that restrains the ship

sailed along, hugging the coast of Crete: This clause in Greek is literally “they sailed along Crete, close to (it).” They sailed near land because a southerly wind would push them toward the southern coast of Crete, but they stayed a safe distance away so they would not hit any rocks. For example:

began to sail past Crete, close to the shore (New Revised Standard Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 28:1

Section 28:1–10

Paul and the others stayed on Malta

In this section, someone from the island told the people from the ship that they were on Malta. The people of the island welcomed them. A deadly snake bit Paul but he did not die. Since he did not die, the people from the island thought he was a god.

Publius welcomed Paul, Luke, the centurion, and perhaps others into his home and had them stay. Paul healed the father of Publius by the power of God. Many people of the island heard this news. They brought all their sick people, and Paul miraculously healed them.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul on the Island of Malta (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
We waited on Malta

Paragraph 28:1–6

28:1a

Once we were safely ashore: The Greek word here is literally “having been brought safely through.” God protected all of them from any danger as they swam or floated to shore while the storm was blowing. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

Once we had come safely through (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
After ⌊God⌋ had brought us all safely to shore
-or-
When we were safely ashore (Good News Translation)

28:1b

we: Here, the word we refers to all the people on the ship.

learned that the island was called Malta: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as learned usually means “recognize” or “learn.” Perhaps sailors finally recognized where they were now that they were on the shore. Ashore they could see more of the land than they could when on the ship. Or perhaps the people of the island told them they were on Malta so they learned the name of the island in that way. Other ways to translate this clause are:

found out that the island was called Malta (New International Version)
-or-
identified the island as Malta (Revised English Bible)
-or-
discovered that the island was called Malta (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:19

1:19a

This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem: This clause is passive. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this (New International Version)
-or-
The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem (New Living Translation (2004))

1:19b

so they called that field in their own language: The word their refers to the people in Jerusalem. They were Jews and at that time usually spoke Aramaic.

1:19c

that is: This phrase indicates that the phrase “Field of Blood” explains the name Akeldama. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

which means (Good News Translation)
-or-
that is to say (King James Version)

Field of Blood: People probably called that place Field of Blood because Judas killed himself there and his blood flowed out. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Ground/Area of Blood ⌊Spilt⌋
-or-
Blood ⌊poured out⌋ Field/Land
-or-
field where someone’s blood flowed out

General Comment on 1:18a–19c

1:18a–19c was extra information. You should indicate at the end of 1:19c that the extra information has ended. The Berean Standard Bible does so by using a closing parenthesis “)”, beginning a new paragraph at 1:20 that continues Peter’s speech.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:25

Paragraph 2:25–28

2:25a

In the Greek, 2:25a begins with a conjunction that the Revised Standard Version translates as “For.” This conjunction introduces support from Scripture for Peter’s statement in 2:24. Psalm 16:8–11 supports the idea that God caused Jesus to become alive again.

David says about Him: King David was the writer of this psalm, and the pronoun Him here refers to the Messiah. Peter was interested in the prophetic meaning of Psalm 16:8–11, so he introduced 2:25b–28b with about Him. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

David says concerning him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
David says of him (New Jerusalem Bible)

David: David was king of Israel. In some languages it may be more honoring to name him as king. For example:

King David (New Living Translation (2004))

says: King David lived about a thousand years before Jesus. In some languages a literal translation would imply that King David lived at the same time as Jesus, or people might assume that. If that is true in your language, you may want to indicate that King David lived long before Jesus. For example:

said ⌊long ago⌋

2:25b

I saw the Lord always before me: The phrase saw…before me is a figure of speech. It indicates that, in all that David did, he was always aware of God being present. It also implies a close relationship with God.

In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the meaning of the figure of speech in your translation. For example:

I was aware of the Lord always being present with/before me

You may then want to indicate the literal words and explain them in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “I saw the Lord always before me.” This is a figure of speech. It indicates that, in all that David did, he was always aware of God being present. It also implies a close relationship with God.

• Translate literally and explain the meaning of the figure of speech in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This is a figure of speech. It indicates that, in all that David did, he was always aware of God being present. It also implies a close relationship with God.

the Lord: This refers to God here.

2:25c

because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken: The conjunction because introduces the reason that David would not be shaken. It does not introduce the reason for seeing the Lord always before him (2:25b). Here are some other ways to translate these words:

Since he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken
-or-
I will not be shaken, because he is at my right hand
-or-
he is at my right hand, so I will not be shaken

He is at my right hand: This clause is a figure of speech. It indicates that God was with him and always ready to help him. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

with him at my right side (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he is close by my side (New Century Version)

This clause does not indicate that God was a physical presence at David’s right side. In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the meaning of the figure of speech in the text. For example:

he is always ready to help me

You may then want to indicate the literal words and explain them in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “he is at my right hand.” This is a figure of speech. It indicates that God was with him and always ready to help him.

• Translate literally and explain the meaning of the figure of speech in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This is a figure of speech. It indicates that God was with him and always ready to help him.

I will not be shaken: This clause is a figure of speech. It indicates that David would not fear anyone who wanted to harm him. He would be confident that God would take care of him. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I will not be troubled (Good News Translation)
-or-
I will not be afraid (Contemporary English Version)

The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊No one⌋ will shake me
-or-

⌊No one⌋ will cause me to be troubled

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 3:11

Section 3:11–26

Peter preached in the temple courts

In this section, all of the people there in the temple courts quickly gathered together to a place near Peter, John and the lame man who had been healed. So Peter explained about Jesus. He probably did this to contradict the false stories about Jesus that people may have heard. He also explained that Jesus had healed the man. Peter also told them that they should repent and ask God to forgive them for their sins. He encouraged them to do that using some of God’s promises.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Peter spoke to the people at the temple
-or-
Peter’s Message in the Temple (Good News Translation)
-or-
Peter said that Jesus healed the man, and they should repent and believe in Jesus

Paragraph 3:11–16

3:11a

the man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the man is literally the pronoun “he.” But here it clearly refers to the man who was healed. In many languages a pronoun is all that is needed.

Now that the man was healed, he would no longer beg. Some languages more naturally use a noun phrase here to describe the man. For example:

the man who formerly begged
-or-
The formerly lame-one

clung to Peter and John: The man clung to Peter and John probably because he was happy and so grateful to them that he did not want to let them leave him just yet. In some languages a literal translation would not have that implied meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Include the implied meaning in your translation. For example:

held on to Peter and John ⌊because he was so grateful to them⌋

• Translate using a verb that gives that implied meaning here. For example:

remained near Peter and John

3:11b

were astonished and ran to them: In the Greek the main verb is “came running.” The phrase were astonished describes them while they were running (and probably afterwards). For example:

came running to them astonished

were astonished: The Greek word means “very astonished/amazed.”

ran to them: The Greek is literally “ran together to one place.” The people ran from all over the temple courtyards to where Peter, John, and the man were. Here are some other ways to translate these words:

running towards them (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
came running to them (New International Version)

3:11c

in the walkway called Solomon’s Colonnade: Peter, John, and the man were standing in the walkway called Solomon’s Colonnade. The people ran to them there.

the walkway called Solomon’s Colonnade: The clause is passive. Some languages must use a clause that is not passive. For example:

the place ⌊that people⌋ called Solomon’s Colonnade
-or-
Solomon’s Colonnade (New Living Translation (2004))

Solomon’s Colonnade: A Colonnade is a long building made of many columns or posts instead of walls. Here there were columns on one side and a wall on the other side. They supported a roof. Scholars think that it was located along the east side of the temple’s outer court. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Solomon’s Building of Columns/Posts
-or-
the Sheltering Place of Solomon

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:17

4:17a

But: There is contrast between the leaders not being able to deny the miracle (4:16c) and warning Peter and John to stop speaking about Jesus (4:17b).

Some languages would not see that connection as contrast. If that is true in your language, omit this conjunction or use a natural connection here.

to keep this message from spreading any further among the people: This phrase in Greek is literally “in order that it may not be spread further.”

The Greek clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active clause. For example:

in order that it may spread no further (Revised Standard Version)

Here “it” refers to the gospel of Jesus or people becoming believers in Jesus (both are possible from what the leaders said in 4:17b), as the Berean Standard Bible makes explicit.

4:17b

we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name: This clause indicates that the Jewish leaders planned to tell the apostles that they would punish them, if they continued to speak to people about Jesus. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

let us warn them to speak no more to any one in this name (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
we must warn them not to speak to anyone in that name again

to speak…in this name: These words mean here “to speak as those authorized by Jesus or as those representing him.” For example:

to speak as spokesmen for that man
-or-
to be an advocate/messenger for that person

Scholars think that the Jewish leaders belittled Jesus, when they referred to him by this name and avoided saying the name “Jesus.” See the above examples.

Search

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021