SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 39

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:27

15:27a

we are sending: The Greek is literally “we have sent.” The writers of the letter wrote as it would be true for the readers of the letter: Judas and Silas were already sent. For example:

we have sent (New American Standard Bible)

But in some languages the present tense like the Berean Standard Bible is more natural.

15:27b

to tell you in person the same things we are writing: Judas and Silas could confirm that the apostles and elders wrote the letter and answer any other questions regarding the letter that the believers in Antioch might have. Other ways to translate this are:

who will tell you in person the same things we are writing (Good News Translation)
-or-
who will tell you these things themselves in person (NET Bible)
-or-
confirm in their own words what is written in this letter

to tell you in person: The phrase tell you in person refers to speaking. The letter was very short, so Judas and Silas would tell the believers in Antioch details about the meeting and what they discussed. They could explain why the apostles and elders chose the four rules. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

confirm by word of mouth (New International Version)
-or-
to report to you (God’s Word)
-or-
tell you…themselves (NET Bible)

the same things we are writing: The Greek is literally “the same things.” This refers to what was written in the letter.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:18

16:18a

She continued this for many days: This indicates that the girl continued shouting the saying in 16:17 whenever Paul and the others went to the river to worship. For example:

She did this for many days (Good News Translation)

16:18b

Eventually Paul grew so aggravated: Paul was disturbed that the evil spirit made the girl say those things. The message was misleading (see second note on 16:17b). He was probably also unhappy about the girl being controlled by an evil spirit. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Paul became very disturbed ⌊by this misleading message⌋
-or-
Paul became so upset (Good News Translation)
-or-
This bothered Paul (New Century Version)

he turned and said to the spirit: Paul turned toward the girl and spoke to her, but his words were for the evil spirit. Your translation should not indicate that he saw the spirit. For example:

turned round and spoke to the spirit in her (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

the spirit: This is the same spirit as in 16:16.

16:18c

In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her: The phrase In the name of Jesus Christ indicates that Jesus Christ had authorized Paul to command evil spirits to leave. For example:

By the power of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her! (New Century Version)
-or-
By the authority that Jesus Christ gave to me, I command you to leave her!
-or-
Jesus Christ has authorized me to command you to leave her!

This phrase is not a magic formula. Your translation should clearly refer to the authority of Jesus Christ.

Christ: The word Christ is a title for Jesus. It means “the anointed one.” The Jews used it to refer to the special person God promised to send. See how you translated this word in 15:26.

16:18d

at that very moment: This phrase in Greek is literally “in the same hour.” It is a Greek idiom for “immediately.” For example:

instantly (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:10

Section 17:10–15

Paul and Silas went to Berea

In this section, Jason and the other believers sent Paul and Silas at night to Berea. They preached about Jesus to the Jews there. The Berean Jews were eager to hear the message that Jesus was the Christ. They searched the Scriptures to verify what Paul said. Many Jews and Greeks believed in Jesus.

But the Jews from Thessalonica heard what happened there, so they went and caused trouble. The believers sent Paul to Athens with some believers from their group. Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. But when Paul reached Athens, he asked the believers with him to return and tell Silas and Timothy to come to him soon.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul preached in Berea, but Jews from Thessalonica came and caused trouble
-or-
People in Berea Welcome the Message (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
In Berea (New International Version)

Paragraph 17:10–12

17:10a

As soon as night had fallen: This phrase in Greek is literally “immediately during the night.” The word “immediately” probably indicates that the believers sent Paul and Silas that night. They did not wait a day or two before sending them. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
That very night (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The brothers sent Paul and Silas…at once, during the night. (NET Bible)

the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea: This was a journey of about seventy kilometers (40 miles). This is a one or two day walk.

Berea: This name refers to a city in Macedonia.

the brothers: This refers generally to believers in Thessalonica.

Paul and Silas: Timothy went to Berea too (17:14b). But since he was not named here, he probably went the next morning or some days later. There was no rush for him to leave, because the Jews only named Paul and Silas in the trouble that day.

You should name only Paul and Silas here. But if readers are confused about Timothy being in Berea but not mentioned here, you may want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Timothy went to Berea too (17:14b). But since he was not named here, he probably went later.

17:10b

On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue: They probably went on the first Sabbath day after their arrival in the town.

they went: The Greek tense probably indicates they went more than once to the Jewish synagogue. They probably went every Sabbath. For example:

they began going

the Jewish synagogue: A synagogue was a building where Jews gathered to pray, read scripture, teach, and worship. In some languages, the word synagogue already indicates a building for Jews. For example:

the synagogue (Good News Translation)

See how you translated the word synagogue in 6:9 or 17:1.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 18:8

18:8a

Crispus, the synagogue leader: The phrase the synagogue leader means that Crispus was the leader of the people who went to the synagogue. For example:

Crispus, who was the leader of the synagogue (Good News Translation)

his whole household: This phrase refers to Crispus’s wife and children, other members of his family that lived in his house, and his servants. It would also include anyone else who lived in his house.

believed in the Lord: This refers to believing that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

the Lord: This word means “the one in authority over others” or “master.” Jesus rules over all things. See how you translated this word in 15:11 or 17:24.

This phrase refers to Jesus here. In some languages it is clearer or more natural to explain so in your translation. For example:

the Lord ⌊Jesus⌋

18:8b

many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized: The Greek tenses indicate that these events occurred over a period of time. These Corinthians heard, believed, and were baptized over days or even weeks. Other ways to translate these clauses are:

over the next days and weeks many of the Corinthians heard him, believed, and were baptized
-or-
for a while after that many of the Corinthians heard him, believed, and were baptized

many of the Corinthians who heard the message: This clause in Greek is literally “many Corinthians hearing.” The context implies that the Corinthians heard Paul preach about Jesus. The Berean Standard Bible adds the words the message to help readers understand the implied meaning.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply they heard something else. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in your translation. For example:

many other people in Corinth heard the message (Good News Translation)
-or-
many Corinthians heard Paul preach

believed: It is implied that they believed in Jesus. For example:

became believers (New Jerusalem Bible)

were baptized: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊the believers⌋ baptized them
-or-

⌊someone⌋ baptized them

baptized: Here this word refers to the Christian ritual that uses water. See how you translated this word in 1:5 or 16:33.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 19:12

19:12a

so that: Here this conjunction introduces a result. In some languages a different conjunction would be used. For example:

and so

even: This word indicates that the miracles of healing by handkerchief or apron were more extraordinary than what Luke was thinking of in 19:11.

handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊people⌋ took handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him to the sick

handkerchiefs: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as handkerchiefs can also refer to pieces of cloth used for wiping away sweat. These pieces of cloth could also be tied around the head to prevent sweat from going into the eyes.

aprons: This word refers to cloths tied in the front. Some workmen wore them to protect their clothing from spills, dirt, or other things.

that had touched him: This phrase in Greek is literally “taken from his skin.” It indicates that Paul wore or used these handkerchiefs and aprons. Then people took them to heal the sick. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

that had touched his skin (English Standard Version)
-or-
he had used (Good News Translation)
-or-
that had touched Paul’s body (Contemporary English Version)

were taken to the sick: It is implied that the handkerchiefs and aprons were placed on the sick people. In some languages a literal translation would not imply that. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in your translation. For example:

were taken to the sick ⌊and placed on them⌋

19:12b

the diseases: This clause in Greek is literally “to be taken away the illnesses from them.” It indicates that the sick people became well.

This clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active or intransitive clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ cured their illnesses
-or-
diseases left them (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
their illnesses ended ⌊and they became well⌋
-or-
they became well

19:12c

and evil spirits left them: Some of the sick people also had evil spirits troubling them. The miracles of the handkerchiefs and aprons also caused the evil spirits to leave and stop troubling them. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the evil spirits came out of them (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the evil spirits ⌊stopped troubling them and⌋ left

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 20:3

20:3a

where he stayed three months: This clause tells the reader more about Greece. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other places named Greece and Paul only stayed in this one. If that is true in your language, translate this information in a way that tells more about what Paul did in Greece. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

He stayed there three months.

20:3b–c

And when the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia: The words And when introduce the reason that Paul decided to go back through Macedonia. Another way to translate this connection is:

He was getting ready to go to Syria when he discovered that there were Jews plotting against him; so he decided to go back through Macedonia. (Good News Translation)

20:3b

the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria: In the Greek clause and the Berean Standard Bible, the circumstances are given after what happened. In some languages the circumstances must be given first. For example:

just as he was about to sail for Syria, the Jews made a plot against him

the Jews formed a plot against him: The phrase formed a plot against indicates that the Jews planned ways to harm Paul. Other ways to translate this clause are:

some Jews were planning something against him (New Century Version)
-or-
he found out that the Jews were plotting to kill him (God’s Word)

the Jews: Here this phrase does not imply all the Jews. Luke did not say where these Jews were from. It may have been Jews from the nearest city (some scholars think it is Corinth) or Jews traveling from their homes elsewhere to Jerusalem for the Passover. Do not say where these Jews were from and do not imply that all Jews made this plot. For example:

some Jews

he was about to sail for Syria: This clause indicates that Paul would soon get on a ship that was going to Syria. For example:

he was about to board a ship going to Syria

Syria: Syria was a province under Roman rule. It was far east of Greece. It is previously mentioned in Acts three times (15:23, 15:41, 18:18). If you indicated that Syria was a province in one of those verses, you may not need to indicate that it refers to a province again here.

But in some languages people are not familiar with this name. You may want to indicate again what the name refers to here. For example:

⌊the province of⌋ Syria

See how you spelled this name in 15:23.

20:3c

go back through Macedonia: The phrase go back probably refers to returning to Syria. Here he decided to take a longer way back through Macedonia. He had already visited Macedonia on this trip (20:1–2).

In some languages it is clearer to say where he would go back. If that is true in your language, refer to Syria. For example:

go back ⌊there⌋ through Macedonia
-or-
go back ⌊to Syria⌋ through Macedonia ⌊again⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 20:35

20:35a

In everything, I showed you: This phrase in Greek is literally: “all (things).” Here it refers generally to deeds that Paul did. Other ways to translate this Greek word are:

By every deed
-or-
That’s what I have always done in order that

20:35b

this kind of hard work: This phrase indicates that Paul working with his hands (20:34) is an example of hard work. Paul worked hard with his hands to support himself and others financially. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

that kind of working hard
-or-
working hard in this way (Good News Translation)
-or-
my example by working hard ⌊with my hands⌋

weak: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as weak refers to weakness of any kind. They may not have been able to work because they were sick or disabled. They may have had low social status and people in general avoided them. Here it probably refers to anyone who could not support themselves financially.

In some languages a literal translation would have a different meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

Here the word “weak” refers to people who could not work and support themselves.

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

weak ⌊and unable to work⌋

• Translate only the implied meaning. For example:

those who are unable to work

20:35c

remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: Here the word remembering means “to continue to think about.” It does not refer to remembering something that had been forgotten. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said (Revised English Bible)
-or-
think about this saying of the Lord Jesus
-or-
think about that the Lord Jesus himself said this:

20:35d

It is more blessed to give than to receive:
This saying is stated in an impersonal manner: It is more blessed. It indicates that people who give are more blessed than people who receive. It probably implies that God will bless them. Other ways to translate this clause are:

He who gives is more blessed than he who receives
-or-

⌊God⌋ blesses the person more who gives than the person who receives
-or-
You/We who give ⌊something⌋ ⌊to someone⌋ are more blessed than those of you/us who receive ⌊something⌋

blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as blessed describes a person who is in a good situation. In the Bible, the good situation results from God being favorable/kind to the person.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Joyful/desirable is your situation
-or-
How good it is for you
-or-
You are blessed/favored/fortunate

This word does not primarily refer to a feeling. However, a person in this good situation will frequently have good feelings like happiness and joy. Do not use a word that only refers to material prosperity or physical health.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as blessed, occurs frequently in the Gospels in the form “Blessed/happy is the person who….” See for example, Matthew 5:3–11 and Luke 6:20–22. You will probably want to translate the word blessed in this verse in the same way you translated it in the Gospels.

give…receive: It is not stated what is given or received. Here the meaning is general. Some languages must say what is given or received. For example:

give ⌊things⌋…receive ⌊things⌋

receive: In some languages “take” and “receive” are translated by the same verb. The English verb “receive” implies that someone gave the gift, but the English verb “take” does not imply that.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate “take” with no one giving it. If that is true in your language, indicate that someone gave here. For example:

to be given ⌊something⌋
-or-
the blessing you have when ⌊someone⌋ gives you ⌊something⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 21:29

21:29a–b

The New International Version uses parentheses around 21:29a–b to indicate that it is added information related to the main story. Some languages may use punctuation like the Berean Standard Bible to indicate that. Some languages may use grammar or a phrase to indicate that. (See next note about the Greek conjunction.) Other languages allow the context to indicate that.

21:29a

The Greek conjunction often translated as “for” introduces this verse, as in the Berean Standard Bible. Here it introduces an explanation of why the Jews from Asia spoke as they did in 21:28. For example:

For they had previously seen (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
They said this because they had seen… (Good News Translation)

The New International Version and some English versions omit the conjunction and allow the context to indicate that meaning.

For they had previously seen: This phrase indicates that the Jews of Asia had seen Trophimus perhaps a day or two before. They were not looking at him at the time they said these words.

Trophimus the Ephesian: The name Trophimus is a Greek name. The word Ephesian indicates that he was from Ephesus. Greek people began the city of Ephesus and the city was still mostly Greek at that time. At that time both words would clearly indicate that Trophimus was Greek (21:28d) and not Jewish.

In some languages neither word would clearly indicate that Trophimus was Greek. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

“Trophimus” is a Greek name and Ephesus was a Greek city.
-or-
Trophimus was Greek.

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

⌊the Greek,⌋ Trophimus from Ephesus

the Ephesian: The word Ephesian indicates that Trophimus was from Ephesus. Another way to translate this phrase is:

from Ephesus (Good News Translation)

in the city: This phrase refers to generally to Jerusalem. Here it implies outside of the temple area.

21:29b

assumed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as assumed means to believe that something is true without having proved that it is true. Here it indicates that the Jews from Asia believed that Paul took the non-Jewish Trophimus into the temple courtyard reserved for Jewish men. But that was not true. Other ways to translate this word are:

supposed (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
mistakenly thought

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021