SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 43

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:10

5:10a

At that instant: This means “immediately.” Immediately after Peter finished speaking, Sapphira collapsed and died. Here are some other ways to translate this:

Instantly (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
At once (Good News Translation)

she fell down at his feet and died: This probably indicates that Sapphira died while standing and so her body fell to the ground, similar to Ananias in 5:5. See how you translated “fell down and died” in 5:5.

she fell down at his feet: The phrase at his feet indicates that she fell when standing in front of Peter.

5:10b

Then: The Greek word is often translated as “and.” It indicates that the story continues. For example:

and (New American Standard Bible)

In some languages it is more natural to omit this word. For example:

The young men…

the young men came in and, finding her dead: The Greek is more literally “and entering, the young men found her dead.” It makes the young men finding her dead as the main point here. For example:

entering ⌊the room⌋, the young men found her dead
-or-
When the young men came in they found her dead (Revised Standard Version)

the young men: These young men were probably the same ones as in 5:6. Your translation should at least not explicitly say that this is a new group of young men. In some languages it is more natural to refer back to the first mention of them. For example:

those young men

finding her dead: This indicates that the young men saw her collapsed on the floor and realized she was dead. They did not know before entering that she had died. Here are some other ways to translate this:

discovered that she was dead
-or-
saw that she was dead (New Century Version)

5:10c

carried her out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as carried…out refers to carrying something out of a building or out of an area. See how you translated this Greek word in 5:6.

buried her: See how you translated the word buried in 5:6.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 6:1

Section 6:1–7

The apostles appointed seven men to care for widows

In this section, as more people joined the group of believers, those from Greek-speaking cultures had a complaint. They believed that those from Aramaic-speaking Judea were not taking care of the Greek-speaking widows in regards to distributing food. The apostles did not want to be pulled away from their work of teaching and preaching. So they told the group to choose seven well-regarded men to take responsibility for distributing the food. Steven was one of the men selected.

After that, the size of the group of believers increased quickly, including many Jewish priests.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The apostles chose some/seven men to help the widows
-or-
The apostles chose seven men to be deacons/helpers

Paragraph 6:1–4

6:1a

In those days when the disciples were increasing in number: The phrase In those days refers in general to the period of time when the disciples were increasing in number. This time was probably some months rather than a few days. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

At that time, as the number of disciples grew (God’s Word)
-or-
During those days the number of disciples was increasing and

disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples refers to learners who were in a special relationship with a teacher. The learners committed themselves to their teacher in order to learn from him and live according to his teaching and example.

Some ways to translate disciples are:

• Use a term that refers to people who learn from a teacher or an expert. It is helpful if the term also implies that the learners are often with their teacher. For example:

learners/students
-or-
apprentices

Be careful not to use a term that would refer only to students in a school or classroom.

• Use a term that refers to people who follow a teacher or leader by obeying his teaching. It is helpful if this term also implies learning from the teacher and actually following the teacher wherever he goes. For example:

followers
-or-
those who are committed/faithful (to a teacher/leader)

See how you translated this word in Matthew 5:1, Mark 2:15, Luke 5:30, or John 1:35.

The word or phrase that you use should refer to all believers. (For example, “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).) If your usual word or phrase refers only to the twelve disciples, you may want to use the word or phrase you use for “believers.” For example:

the people they believed
-or-
the believing people

6:1b

the Grecian Jews among them: The Greek is more literally “Greek-speakers.” It refers to believers (6:1a) whose first language was Greek (rather than Hebrew or Aramaic). These believers were Jews. The use of the Greek word here implies that they lived according to some amount of Greek culture, not just Jewish culture.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Greek-speaking Jews (Good News Translation)
-or-
Jews whose ⌊first⌋ language was Greek

The Berean Standard Bible adds the words among them to make it clear that the Grecian Jews were believers too. The word them refers here to the believers in general.

began to grumble: The Greek word here refers to saying one is unhappy or upset and why. These words are usually spoken quietly to others, rather than being announced publicly. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

murmured (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
complained (New International Version)

the Hebraic Jews: Here this phrase refers to Jews whose first language was Hebrew or Aramaic. It implies that they lived according to Jewish culture. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

those who spoke Aramaic (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the native Jews (Good News Translation)

6:1c

because their widows were being overlooked: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because:

(1) It means because here. It introduces the reason that the Grecian Jews were complaining. Here it also implies the content of their complaint. For example:

because their widows were neglected (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(2) It means that here. It introduces the content of what the Grecian Jews were complaining about. For example:

they complained that their widows were being overlooked (Revised English Bible)

(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

their widows were being overlooked: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊someone⌋ was overlooking the widows of the Grecian Jews

Some languages can use “they” here in a generic sense, so that it does not point to anyone in particular. For example:

⌊they⌋ were overlooking the widows of the Grecian Jews

overlooked: This word means “not pay enough attention to.” Here are some other ways to translate this word:

neglected (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
pay little/no attention to

The tense of the Greek verb indicates that this was continuing for some time. The English words “were being” indicate that here.

the daily distribution of food: The Greek is more literally “the daily support/aid.” 6:2 clearly links this to giving food. It was Jewish custom to help the poor, including poor widows. Here are some other ways to translate this:

the daily support (TLV)
-or-
the daily ministry of helping the poor with food

General Comment on 6:1b–c

Some languages must put the reason before the result. If you followed interpretation (1) above, you may need to reorder the clauses and use “therefore” instead of “because.” For example:

1c The Greek-speaking widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, 1b therefore the Greek-speaking Jewish believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking Jewish believers.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:18

15:18

that have been known for ages: This indicates that God’s plans for the Gentiles have been known for a long time. Other ways to translate this are:

as he made known long ago (Revised English Bible)
-or-

⌊He caused⌋ people to know this long ago

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:9

16:9a

During the night: This phrase may refer to the first night in Troas or some nights later. For example:

That night (Good News Translation)
-or-
One night (New Jerusalem Bible)

Paul had a vision: This clause in Greek is literally “a vision appeared to Paul.” Here the word vision refers to something that appears supernaturally. It is like a dream, but the person is usually awake. It is something or someone that people usually cannot see, but God or Jesus helps them to see it.

Macedonia: Macedonia was a Roman province. It was north of Achaia. The people spoke a dialect of Greek. It was on the other side of the Aegean Sea from Troas.

standing: It is probably implied that in the vision the man was standing in front of Paul.

16:9b

pleading: This word in Greek means “invite” or “summon for aid.” The Greek tense probably indicates that he said “Come over to Macedonia and help us” more than once. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

was…urging (English Standard Version)
-or-
begging
-or-
earnestly requesting ⌊that we help them⌋

Come over to Macedonia and help us: This is a command. The man in the vision was politely requesting Paul to come and help. Translate this as a polite request. Other ways to translate this command are:

Please come to Macedonia and help us.
-or-
Would you come over to Macedonia and help us?
-or-
We would like you to come to Macedonia and help us.

In this vision, the man spoke as if he was in Macedonia.

Come over: This phrase in Greek refers to crossing a barrier. Paul would need to cross the Aegean Sea to get to Macedonia. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

Come across (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Cross ⌊the sea⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:1

Section 17:1–9

Paul and Silas went to Thessalonica

In this section, Paul and Silas traveled through several towns and arrived at Thessalonica. Paul preached the gospel of Jesus to the Jews and discussed it with them. Some Jews and a large number of Gentiles who worshiped God believed.

But some Jews did not believe and encouraged some bad people to start a riot against Paul and Silas. They did not find Paul and Silas but dragged a believer named Jason before the city officials. They made him promise to make Paul and Silas leave or else pay a big fine for disturbing the peace. (In 17:10, the believers sent Paul and Silas away from Thessalonica to Berea.)

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul preached in Thessalonica, but some Jews caused people to riot against him
-or-
The Uproar in Thessalonica (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
In Thessalonica (New International Version)

Paragraph 17:1–4

17:1a

they: This pronoun refers to Paul and Silas. This is the start of a new chapter, so you may want to use their names instead of the pronoun they. For example:

Paul and Silas (Good News Translation)

passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia: The phrase passed through indicates that Paul and Silas did not stay long in either Amphipolis and Apollonia. Luke probably mentioned these two cities because Paul and Silas stopped for the night there. They probably did not stop and preach here. For example:

traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
travelled by way of Amphipolis and Apollonia (Revised English Bible)

Amphipolis and Apollonia: These names referred to cities in the province of Macedonia. The distance from Philippi to Amphipolis is about 65 kilometers (40 miles). The distance from Amphipolis to Apollonia is about 50 kilometers (31 miles). The distance from Apollonia to Thessalonica is about 55 kilometers (34 miles). Each of these distances would be an all day journey on foot, or perhaps two days.

17:1b

Thessalonica: Thessalonica was a large city for that time. It is estimated that it had somewhere between 20,000 to 100,000 people living there.

a Jewish synagogue: A synagogue was a building where Jews gathered to pray, read scripture, teach, and worship God. See how you translated the word synagogue in 15:21.

Luke described the synagogue here as Jewish, but the word synagogue usually refers to a building for Jews to gather. For example:

a synagogue (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 18:10

18:10a

For: This word introduces the reason for Paul to not be afraid and to continue speaking to people about Jesus. For example:

because (NET Bible)

Some English versions allow the context to imply the connection and do not translate the Greek word.

I am with you: This clause indicates that Jesus supported Paul, empowered him, guided him, and helped him. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to physical presence. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that includes the correct meaning. For example:

I support you
-or-
I will help you always

no one will lay a hand on you: The Greek words here are literally “no one will attack you to harm you.” The goal of the words lay a hand on is to do harm. The Jews opposed Paul and brought him to court (18:12), but they were unable to harm him. So this attack did not result in harm to Paul. Other ways to translate these clauses are:

no one will lay a hand on you to harm you (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
no one will attack you that will result in harm to you
-or-
no attack shall harm you (Revised English Bible)

lay a hand on: Here the words lay a hand on refers to coming against someone for the purpose of harming them. Other ways to translate this word are:

fight
-or-
come/be against

18:10b

because I have many people in this city: The word because introduces the second reason for Paul to not be afraid and to continue speaking to people about Jesus. For example:

⌊Do not be afraid and continue to speak⌋ because I have many people in this city
-or-

⌊Do those things⌋ because I have many people in this city

Some English versions allow the context to imply the connection and do not translate the Greek word. They separate this reason from the promise of a lack of harm by starting a new sentence. For example:

Many people in this city belong to me. (Contemporary English Version)

I have many people in this city: This clause in Greek is literally “a (group of) people to me is big in this city.” It indicates that Jesus has already chosen many people in Corinth to become believers. It encouraged Paul to preach because many people would become believers. Other ways to translate this clause are:

there are many in this city who are my people (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Many people in this city are ready to become my people

people: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as people indicates that Jesus has chosen a group of people from the Jews and Gentiles to believe in him. They together become God’s people in Jesus. For example:

my people (Good News Translation)

See how you translated this word in 15:14.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 19:14

19:14

Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this: This verse is literally “(There) were seven sons of a certain Sceva, a Jewish high priest, doing this.” It introduces an example of Jews driving out evil spirits (19:13). For example:

Among those who did this were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest. (New Jerusalem Bible)

The word “certain” probably indicates that Luke did not expect his readers to know who Sceva was.

Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest: Among the Jewish priests, all their leaders came from certain families. The phrase chief priest indicates that Sceva was from one of those families. He was not the official high priest, the leader of all the priests. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Seven sons of Sceva, a leader of the Jewish priests

For additional help translating chief priest, see Chief Priests, sense 2 in Key Biblical Terms.

were doing this: The word this refers to using the name of Jesus to force evil spirits to leave (19:13). In some languages the word “that” would be more natural. For example:

were doing that

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 20:5

20:5

These men: This phrase refers to the seven men of 20:4.

went on ahead and waited for us in Troas: Troas was a city in the province of Asia. It was a coastal city on the Aegean Sea. The men had to sail on a ship across part of the Aegean Sea in order to get to Troas. Other ways to translate this are:

went ahead of us, ⌊crossed the sea,⌋ ⌊landed at⌋ ⌊the city of⌋ Troas, and waited for us there

went on ahead: It is possible that:

(1) the seven men went with Paul to Macedonia, then left him there to go ahead to Troas,

(2) the seven men left Paul in Corinth to go ahead to Troas.

The words seem to imply interpretation (2). But Luke joined Paul in this verse. Many scholars believe he was living in Macedonia at this time. This would imply interpretation (1). If possible, translate in a way that allows either interpretation.

us: This pronoun indicates that Luke was with Paul again. It is also possible that other believers traveled with Paul and Luke at this time.

Troas: See how you spelled this name in 16:11.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021