SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:9

4:9a–b

If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed: Here the word If introduces a situation that is true. If this first part is true, it supports the second part (“then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel” (4:10a)).

In some languages, using an If-clause would have a different meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

consider this: we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed. 10Therefore
-or-
we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed. 10Therefore
-or-
Right now you are examining us(excl), because we helped this lame person, you want to know how we healed him
-or-
Do you want to hear and judge the talk of the man with the bad legs that we sent heart [gave compassion] to and fixed/healed?

4:9a

we are being examined: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

you are questioning us (New Jerusalem Bible)

we: The pronoun we is emphatic here. If you have a way in your language to emphasize we, consider using it here. Here are some ways in English:

we ourselves
-or-
it is we who

are being examined: This phrase indicates that the officials were questioning them, as a judge would in a court case. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

are being called to account (New International Version)
-or-
are on trial (New American Standard Bible)

The tense of the Greek verb indicates that the Jewish leaders were questioning them at that time. They started questioning them in 4:7.

today: You should put the time word, today, where it will be most natural for your translation.

about: Here this word introduces the basis for the questions from the leaders. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

concerning (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
because of (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
for (New International Version)

a kind service to a man who was lame: This phrase in Greek is more literally “a kindness of a handicapped man.” Notice that there is no verb in Greek.

This phrase refers to the time Peter and John healed the crippled beggar in 3:1–10. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Add a passive verb. For example:

the good deed done to the lame man (Good News Translation)

• Add an active verb. For example:

the good we did for a crippled man (God’s Word)
-or-
how we helped a crippled man

a kind service: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a kind service can also be translated as “good deed.” This good deed refers to the miraculous healing that Peter and John did. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

good thing (New Century Version)
-or-
kind deed (Contemporary English Version)

a man who was lame: This phrase in Greek is more literally “a sick/feeble man.” The Greek refers to anything that causes someone to not be able to do normal things. It refers to the lame man (3:2) here. For example:

someone who is sick (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
a man with a health problem

But many English versions make it clear here that it refers to the lame man, like the Berean Standard Bible does, because it has been many verses since he was mentioned.

4:9b

to determine how he was healed: The Greek is literally “in which this-one has been healed.” It refers to how the lame man was healed. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

by what means this man has been healed (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
as to how this man has been made well (New American Standard Bible)

to determine: This verb is not in Greek (see above). The Berean Standard Bible has added the words to determine to introduce “how he was healed” in a more understandable way in English. If you choose to add a verb, here are some ways to translate this clause:

• Add a passive verb as the Berean Standard Bible. For example:

and are asked how this man has been healed (New Revised Standard Version)

• Add an active verb. For example:

you…are asking us how he was healed (New Jerusalem Bible)

he was healed: This clause is passive. Peter was probably thinking that God did the healing. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊God⌋ healed this man
-or-

⌊God⌋ has made this man well

was healed: The Greek tense indicates that this man was healed before this time when Peter was speaking. For example:

has been healed (Revised Standard Version)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:4

5:4a

Did it not belong to you before it was sold?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that the land did belong to Ananias. The Greek expects the answer “yes, the land was under my (Ananias’) control.” Here are some ways to translate this emphasis:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Did the land/property belong to you before you sold it?
-or-
It belonged to you before it was sold, right?

• As a statement. For example:

The land/property certainly belonged to you before you sold it!

it: Here this word refers to “the land” (5:3b).

it was sold: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

you sold it

5:4b

And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal?: The Greek word that means “not” (the phrase was it not in the front of the clause) applies to this clause too (as it does in 5:4a with “Did it not…”). With this word, it is a rhetorical question and emphasizes that Ananias could do whatever he wanted with the money. Here are some ways to translate that meaning:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

after you had sold it, was the money yours to do with as you liked?
-or-
And after it was sold, the money was at your disposal, right?

• As a statement. For example:

And after you sold the land/property, the money was certainly yours to use as you wanted.

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

you sold it (Good News Translation)

was it…at your disposal: The Greek is literally “it was in your authority.” Ananias had control over what to do with the money from the sale of the land. Here are some other ways to translate this:

it was under your control
-or-
used the money any way you wanted (New Century Version)

5:4c

How could you conceive such a deed in your heart?: The Greek is more literally “why did you put this deed in your heart?” It indicates that Ananias planned to lie. It was not something he did without thinking.

This is a rhetorical question. It is a rebuke. Ananias should not have lied. Here are some ways to translate this as a rebuke:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why…did you decide to do such a thing? (Good News Translation)
-or-
Why did you plan in your heart to do that?
-or-
Why did you think of doing this? (New Century Version)

• As a statement. For example:

You should not have decided to do that.

5:4d

You have not lied to men, but to God: In some languages, the positive is spoken first then the negative. For example:

You have lied to God, not men

lied: This refers to saying something that is not true. It does not imply that anyone believed the lie. Ananias probably said he was giving the full amount of the sale price to the apostles when it was really only part.

men: Here this word is general and includes women. For example:

people (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:36

5:36a

This verse in Greek begins with the word that is usually translated as “for.” It introduces two examples of why the Jewish leaders should be careful about what they do to the apostles (5:35b). For example:

For (Revised Standard Version)

Some time ago: This phrase is more literally “before these days.” Here it refers to an event that probably occurred about thirty years prior to this time. Do not say how many years in your translation. For example:

Some years ago
-or-
A number of years ago

Theudas: The Bible does not mention this man anywhere else.

rose up: The Greek is more literally “arose/stood.” It indicates that Theudas became a leader. Here are some other ways to translate this:

appeared (New International Version)
-or-
came forward (Revised English Bible)

claiming to be somebody: These words indicate that Theudas was telling people that he was an important person. It is not known what he said, but probably it was political or religious or both. For example:

saying he was great/important
-or-
and was telling people that he was an important man/person

5:36b

and about four hundred men joined him: The Greek is more literally “to whom a number of men, about four hundred, associated.” These men liked what Theudas said, so they stayed with him. Here are some other ways to translate this:

and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
and about four hundred men joined him (God’s Word)
-or-
There were four hundred men who became his followers.

5:36c

He was killed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as killed is the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “put…to death” in 5:33. Here it probably has the same meaning: “kill as a punishment for a crime.”

This clause is passive. Some languages must translate this as an active clause. For example:

⌊they/authorities/others⌋ executed/killed him

See how you translated the phrase “put…to death” in 5:33b.

all his followers were dispersed: The Berean Standard Bible does not start this clause with “and” because the next clause starts with “and,” following the English rule for the use of “and.” But it is more natural in many languages to begin this clause with “and.” For example:

and all his followers were dispersed

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

⌊they⌋ dispersed all his followers

all his followers: The Greek is more literally “all, as many as obeyed him.” It indicates that these 400 men followed the rules that Theudas made for anyone who wanted to be a part of this group. Other ways to translate it are:

all those who obeyed him
-or-
every man of his

dispersed: This word refers to causing a group to scatter. Whoever killed Theudas probably also scattered his followers. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

scattered (Good News Translation)
-or-
separated completely

5:36d

and it all came to nothing: The Greek is more literally “and they became nothing.” It indicates that all of Theudas’ followers stopped doing anything related to Theudas or the things he said. They became of no importance to the Romans or the Jews. Here are some other ways to translate this:

and came to nothing (English Standard Version)
-or-
and they became of no consequence

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:12

Paragraph 15:12–18

15:12a

The whole assembly fell silent as they listened: In Greek, this is literally “And all the crowd was silent, and they were listening.” There are several ways to interpret when the crowd was silent:

(1) The crowd was silent during Peter’s speech and afterward as well. It implies that Peter’s speech brought an end to the debate. No one stood to further argue that Gentiles needed to be circumcised and obey all the laws of Moses. For example:

And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, King James Version, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) Either during Peter’s speech or immediately after some people were talking among themselves, but then became silent once again when Barnabas and Paul started speaking. For example:

Then the whole group became quiet. They listened (New Century Version)

(New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(3) The crowd were talking among themselves and became silent when Paul and Barnabas began talking.

(New International Version)

(4) The crowd was quiet while Paul and Barnabas spoke. The verb “was silent” does not connect to Peter’s speech. For example:

The whole group was silent as they heard (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (1996))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it fits the context best.

This clause probably does not indicate that people were speaking while Peter spoke. Instead it probably indicates that they remained quiet when he finished. Other ways to translate this clause are:

The whole crowd was silent. They listened (God’s Word)
-or-
And then there was no longer anyone who answered him, and they listened
-or-
When they heard that which Petros said, they all said nothing. And they listened

The whole assembly: This phrase in Greek is literally “all the large number of people.” It refers to all those gathered at the meeting. It included the apostles and elders, Paul and Barnabas, and believers in general (15:4). For example:

The whole group (Good News Translation)

they listened: This indicates that they listened for some time. For example:

they were listening (New American Standard Bible)

15:12b

The context and the Greek conjunction before “they listened” imply that Paul and Barnabas began speaking at this time. For example:

they were listening as 12bPaul and Barnabas began to tell…

describing: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as describing refers to telling the whole story rather than a brief summary. Barnabas and Paul probably described the events during their missionary trip (chapters 13–14) where God confirmed their ministry to the Gentiles with signs and wonders. Other ways to translate this word are:

report all (Good News Translation)
-or-
tell in detail
-or-
tell the whole/complete story

See how you translated a similar Greek word (translated “recounting”) in 15:3.

the signs and wonders: In Greek, this is literally “signs and wonders as many as” and implies “as many as God did.” It indicates that God did a number of signs and miracles during Barnabas and Paul’s trip, and Paul and Barnabas told the people about all of them. For example:

They listened to Paul and Barnabas tell about all the miracles and signs that God did (New Century Version)

signs and wonders: Both signs and wonders refer to miracles. See the definitions of both below. Both terms tell us something that Luke wanted us to know about these miracles. These miracles both had a symbolic meaning and amazed people.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to two different kinds of things. If that is true in your language, indicate that both terms describe miracles. For example:

miracles that were signs and that amazed people
-or-
the signs which were amazing things done by God

See how you translated this phrase in 2:22 or 14:3.

signs: This refers to miracles that have a symbolic meaning. They suggest or point to something other than themselves. These miracles showed that the God about whom Paul preached was powerful and empowered Paul, and the message about Jesus that Paul preached was true. Other ways to translate this are:

great signs
-or-
omens/portents
-or-
miracles that showed ⌊that their message was from him/God⌋

wonders: This word refers to miracles that amaze people. Other ways to translate this word are:

marvels (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
amazing miracles

God had done…through them: The word through indicates that God empowered Paul and Barnabas to do the things that God wanted to happen. Other ways to translate this are:

God did by means of them
-or-
God did by their hand
-or-
which God gave them power to do
-or-
that God caused them to do

See how you translated this same clause in 14:27 or 15:4.

among the Gentiles: Here the word among indicates that Paul and Barnabas did the miracles in places where mostly Gentiles lived. Consider how to indicate that meaning here.

General Comment on 15:12b

What was done (the miraculous signs and wonders) has been moved before who did them to make it the topic of what Paul and Barnabas talked about. In some languages, it must be stated after the verb “had done.” For example:

Barnabas and Paul tell in detail that God had done ⌊many⌋ miraculous signs and wonders among the Gentiles through them.
-or-
Barnabas and Paul told how God had given them the power to work a lot of miracles and wonders for the Gentiles (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:3

16:3a–c

he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek: This explains why Paul circumcised Timothy. Timothy’s father was a Greek and Greeks did not circumcise their sons. But Timothy’s mother was a Jew, and the Jews therefore considered Timothy a Jew as well. But Jews considered uncircumcised Jews to be very bad Jews because circumcision was a mark of their covenant with God. Paul did not want the Jews to think of Timothy in that way. If Timothy was circumcised, the Jews would accept him. This would be particularly helpful for speaking to Jews who did not believe in Jesus.

In some languages a literal translation would not clearly explain why Paul circumcised Timothy. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate literally and explain it further in a footnote. Two example footnotes are:

Timothy’s father was a Greek and Greeks thought circumcision was disgusting. But Timothy’s mother was a Jew, and the Jews therefore considered Timothy a Jew as well. But Jews considered uncircumcised Jews to be very bad Jews because circumcision was a mark of their covenant with God. Paul did not want the Jews to think of Timothy in that way. As an adult Timothy could choose to be circumcised. If he was circumcised, the Jews would accept him.
-or-
Timothy’s Greek father probably prevented anyone from circumcising Timothy when he was born. But the Jews considered Timothy a Jew because of his Jewish mother. Paul had Timothy circumcised to make him acceptable to Jews.

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

but all the Jews living in that area knew that Timothy’s father was Greek. So Paul circumcised Timothy ⌊because his/Timothy’s mother was a Jew⌋ ⌊and the Jews considered Timothy a Jew⌋

16:3a

circumcised him: Paul probably had someone circumcise Timothy for him. For example:

had him circumcised (New Revised Standard Version)

circumcised: See how you translated this word in 15:5.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:35

Paragraph 16:35–36

16:35a

When daylight came: This phrase in Greek is literally “having become day.” This probably refers to the usual start of the business day for the magistrates. For example:

when it was day (Revised Standard Version)

officers: This refers to the people who beat Paul and Silas with rods in 16:22–23. Here they are given their official title in Greek: “rod-holders.” The Romans called these men “lictors” in their language, Latin. Lictors had authority to arrest people on behalf of the magistrates, to punish people when the magistrates told them to, and to do various ceremonial duties for the city.

Some languages have a word that combines those duties like the Latin word. However, some languages, like English, do not have a specific word that combines those duties. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use a general word for this kind of person and allow the context to indicate that it refers to the same people who beat Paul and Silas. For example:

guards (God’s Word)
-or-
magistrates (New International Version)
-or-
court officials

• Describe their duties in your translation. For example:

arresters
-or-
punishers
-or-
officials who arrest/punish people

• Use the Latin word. For example:

lictors (New Jerusalem Bible)

You may then want a footnote to explain what they did. An example footnote is:

Lictors had authority from the magistrates to arrest people, to punish people when the magistrates told them to, and to do various ceremonial duties for the city. This word refers to the people who beat Paul and Silas with rods in 16:22–23.

• Use the major language word. If people in your language group are not familiar with this word, you may then want a footnote to explain what they did. An example footnote is:

These Roman officers had authority from the magistrates to arrest people, to punish people when the magistrates told them to, and to do various ceremonial duties for the city. This word refers to the people who beat Paul and Silas with rods in 16:22–23.

16:35b

Release those men: The magistrates ordered the jailer to let Paul and Silas leave the prison. For example:

Let those men go (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:27

17:27a

God intended that they would seek Him: This phrase in Greek is literally “to seek God.” It indicates a second purpose for God to make all people (17:26a). The Berean Standard Bible adds the phrase God intended that to refer back to all of 17:26a–d rather than just 17:26d. Other ways to translate this Greek phrase are:

so that they would search for God (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
His purpose was for the nations to seek after God (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
God has done all this, so that we will look for him (Contemporary English Version)

they: Here the word they refers generally to people. For example:

they (Good News Translation)

seek Him: The word seek refers to looking to know God. See the examples above.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate only that God was far away. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in your translation. For example:

seek ⌊to know⌋ him

17:27b

perhaps reach out for Him and find Him: In the Greek here the tense on the verbs indicates that finding God is possible but not certain. So the Berean Standard Bible uses the word perhaps to indicate that meaning.

reach out for Him: This metaphor is like someone in the dark reaching for something that he needs. He knows it is there somewhere but cannot see it. In the same way, people believe that God exists but are uncertain as to how to find him. So they try various ways to know him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

feel their way toward him (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
search all around for him (New Century Version)

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that God was physically present. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

reach for ⌊knowledge of⌋ him
-or-
reach for ⌊ways to know⌋ him

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

This metaphor is like someone in the dark reaching for something that he needs. He knows it is there somewhere but cannot see it. In the same way, people believe that God exists but are uncertain as to how to know him. So they try various ways to do that.

find Him: This metaphor refers to beginning a relationship with God. The person can then pray to him, learn about him, and obey him.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that the person physically saw God. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in your translation. For example:

find ⌊knowledge of⌋ him
-or-
find ⌊ways to interact with⌋ him

17:27c

though He is not far from each one of us: The word though indicates that God wants people to find him but they might not find him. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Yet he is not far from each one of us, (Revised Standard Version)
-or-

even though he is not far from any one of us. (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

He is not far from each one of us: This metaphor is like someone coming near physically so that the person searching would find him more easily. In the same way, God wants people to find him and helps those who earnestly seek him.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that God was physically close. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

he makes it easier for each one of us

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

Literally: “he is not far from each one of us”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 18:25

18:25a

He had been instructed: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊Someone⌋ instructed him
-or-

⌊Others⌋ instructed him

He: The Greek word is literally “this (man).” Here it used in a similar way that English uses the pronoun He.

the way of the Lord: Here this phrase refers to the message about Jesus and the ways a believer should live. In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

the ways ⌊and teachings⌋ of the Lord ⌊Jesus⌋
-or-

⌊the teaching⌋ concerning the Lord

18:25b–c

He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus: The Greek words are literally “burning in spirit he was speaking and teaching accurately the things about Jesus.” The phrase “burning in spirit” and the word “accurately” probably apply to both speaking and teaching about Jesus. For example:

being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus (Revised Standard Version)

18:25b

was fervent in spirit: This phrase in Greek is literally “burning in spirit.” It is an idiom that indicates that he spoke enthusiastically. Other ways to translate this clause are:

with great spiritual fervour (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
with an enthusiastic spirit (New Living Translation (2004))

18:25c

accurately: This word indicates that Apollos always taught about Jesus according to what Jesus did and said. What Apollos said had no false teaching in it. For example:

correctly (Good News Translation)
-or-
was right (Contemporary English Version)

18:25d

though he knew only the baptism of John: This clause indicates that Apollos did not know about the baptism that Jesus commanded his followers to do (Matthew 28:19). In some languages a literal translation would not clearly indicate that. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

though he knew only the baptism of John ⌊and not the baptism/one of Jesus⌋

• Explain the implied information in a footnote. An example footnote is:

This clause implies that Apollos did not know about the baptism that Jesus commanded his followers to do (Matthew 28:19).

the baptism of John: John the Baptist had preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented from their sins. (It was different than the baptism for Christians.) In some languages people would not be clear to what a literal translation of this phrase refers. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

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

the baptism of John ⌊the Baptist⌋ ⌊showing only repentance of sins⌋

• Explain the implied information in a footnote. An example footnote is:

John’s baptism was a sign that the person repented. But it was not done in the name of Jesus.

baptism: Here this word refers to the Christian ritual that uses water. See how you translated the similar word “baptized” in 18:8.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:36

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:35

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 18:25

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