SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 46

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:9

1:9a

After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up: The clause After He had said this indicates that Jesus spoke the words in 1:7–8, then he was taken up to heaven. For example:

When he had finished saying this, he was taken upward as they watched
-or-
He finished speaking and immediately he was taken up before their very eyes

He was taken up: This phrase is passive. Here are some ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

he was lifted up (Revised Standard Version)

• Use an active verb. God took Jesus to heaven, but God was not visible. For example:

⌊God⌋ took him up
-or-

⌊God⌋ caused him to rise into the sky

up: The apostles saw Jesus go as far as the clouds in the sky above them. In some languages a literal translation would only indicate a little way up. If that is true in your language, include the implied information. For example:

up ⌊toward heaven⌋

1:9b

a cloud hid Him from their sight: There are three ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hid:

(1) It means support from underneath and take upward. For example:

a cloud took him out of their sight (Revised Standard Version)

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

(2) It means hide. For example:

a cloud hid him from their sight (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, NET Bible, New Century Version)

(3) It means bring into itself. For example:

a cloud received Him out of their sight (New American Standard Bible)

(New American Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the other two interpretations are not supported by the Greek lexicons. Here are some other ways to translate this clause according to interpretation (1):

a cloud ⌊formed and⌋ continued taking him up so that they could no longer see him
-or-
a cloud ⌊formed and⌋ took him so high that they could no longer see him

from their sight: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sight is literally “eyes.” The phrase probably indicates that Jesus rose until he was too far up to see. The cloud could have also blocked their view at some point in this journey upward. See the above examples.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:15

2:15a

These men are not drunk, as you suppose: The believers were not drunk. Peter corrected those who had said that the believers were drunk. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

These people are not drunk, as some of you believe.
-or-
In spite of what you think, these men are not drunk (NET Bible)
-or-
You are wrong to think that these people are drunk. (Contemporary English Version)

These men: This phrase refers to the other believers. (Peter was not drunk either, which was clear by the way he acted in front of the crowd.)

The Greek here is just “these.” It can include both men and women.

drunk: This word refers to becoming intoxicated from drinking wine or another alcoholic beverage.

2:15b

It is only the third hour of the day: The Greek is literally “for it is the third hour of the day.” At that time of year in Jerusalem, this would refer to about 8:30am to 9:30am. This is the reason that Peter gave for why the believers were not drunk. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

since it is only the third hour of the day; (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
it is only nine o’clock in the morning (New Century Version)
-or-
It is only the middle of the morning

At that time people typically got drunk at night. In many cultures people might get drunk any time of the day or night. If that is true in your culture, you may want to:

• Explain this statement in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

At that time people in Jerusalem who got drunk typically only did so at a meal. The first meal was typically at ten o’clock. So being nine o’clock in the morning is a good reason for the believers not to be drunk.

• Explain this statement in your translation. For example:

It’s only nine in the morning ⌊and people are not drunk at this time⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 3:1

Section 3:1–10

Peter healed a lame man

In this section Peter and John met a lame man. Peter healed him using the power of Jesus. This miracle is similar to Jesus healing the paralytic in Luke 5:17–26, but here Luke indicates that the man had been lame from birth. This makes the miracle even more astonishing. This miracle is an example of the wonders and miraculous signs mentioned in 2:43. One consequence of this miracle was that Peter preached to the people in the temple area (3:11–26).

Here is another possible heading for this section:

Peter heals a crippled man (New Century Version)

Paragraph 3:1–10

3:1a

One afternoon: The phrase One afternoon introduces a new story. 2:42–47 talks about certain events that happened over a period of time. The events of 3:1–10 probably happened during that time. They are an example of miraculous signs mentioned in 2:43. So the Berean Standard Bible uses the introductory phrase One afternoon. Introduce the new events according to the connection described here. Introduce them in a natural way in your language. For example:

Once (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
On one-occasion

Peter and John: Peter and John are the same men mentioned in 1:13b.

were going up to the temple: The Jewish people usually talked about going up to the temple, because the temple was on higher ground than most of the rest of Jerusalem. It was also holy ground. So it was also up for the Jewish people in the sense of approaching God.

In some languages going up indicates a very steep hill. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning as described above. For example:

were going to the temple
-or-
were approaching the ⌊holy⌋ temple

were going up: The Greek grammar probably indicates that Peter and John were on their way to the temple. For example:

were on their way (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
went together going up

temple: Here, the word temple refers to the courtyards that surrounded the temple. Only the priests were allowed into the temple itself. In 2:46, the Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek word as “temple courts.” See how you translated “temple courts” there.

3:1b

at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour: The phrase the ninth hour refers to nine hours after sunrise. This is about three o’clock in the afternoon. It was one of the times when Jews went to the temple each day to pray and worship God. Here are some other ways to translate these words:

at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
at the mid-afternoon time of prayer
-or-
because it was the hour of praying because the sun had gone half-way down

prayer: This word refers to speaking to God. It includes praising God, thanking him, and asking him to do things. It does not refer to speaking words of magic or meaningless repetition. See how you translated this word in 1:14 or 2:42.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:7

4:7a

They had Peter and John brought in: The word They refers to the rulers, elders, and teachers of the law (the Jewish Council). Probably the high priest, as leader of the Council, ordered guards to bring Peter and John from the jail. The guards had the apostles stand in front of the Council members.

had Peter and John brought in: The Greek verb is literally “having placed.” For example:

made the apostles stand (Good News Translation)

The verb implies that the guards brought them from jail. So the Berean Standard Bible translates this verb as had…brought in.

Here the word had indicates that the leaders ordered someone to go and bring Peter and John. They did not go themselves.

Peter and John: The Greek word here is literally “them.” For example:

the two of them

4:7b

began to question them: The leaders began asking Peter and John questions. The clause implies that they had many questions to ask them. 4:7c tells us the first question. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they began to inquire (NET Bible)
-or-
they began asking questions. They ⌊first⌋ asked,

But the leaders only asked one question, because Peter explained everything they wanted to know. So in some languages a simple past tense is more natural. For example:

they asked (Good News Translation)

4:7c

By what power: The word power implies that someone gave Peter and John the power to miraculously heal the lame man. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Who enabled ⌊you(plur) to do this⌋
-or-
Who gave ⌊you⌋ the power

what name did you do this?: Here the word name refers to the authority that a person has. Someone authorized Peter and John to miraculously heal the lame man. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

⌊by⌋ whose authority did you do this?
-or-
Whose name did you use?

you: In this verse in Greek the pronoun you is emphatic. Scholars say that the leaders used it here to belittle the apostles or show scorn to them. If possible indicate that meaning in your translation. For example:

they asked them scornfully, “By what power or what name did you do this?”

do this: This phrase refers to the miraculous healing of the lame man (3:7–8). In many languages a literal translation would not clearly refer to that, because that deed has not been mentioned for many verses. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

heal that man
-or-
make well that lame person

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:2

5:2a

With his wife’s full knowledge: The Greek is more literally “the wife also knew with (him).” This indicates that Ananias’ wife knew the same thing about the money from the sale of the land that Ananias did. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

his wife also knew
-or-
his wife also knew ⌊this:⌋

5:8 indicates that she knew that Ananias kept back a part of the money and that he would lie to Peter about part of the money being the whole amount.

he kept back some of the proceeds for himself: The Greek is more literally “he put aside from the price/value.” This Greek verb indicates that Ananias did something wrong in regard to the price of the land.

It is clear from 5:2b that he kept part of the money for himself. 5:3a also tells us that Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit, which implies that he lied to Peter. It was clear how much money he gave to Peter. So the lie must have been that he told Peter that the money in front of him was the whole amount from the sale of the land. In that way he was doing something wrong about what he said was the price of the land.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he removed part of the money for himself
-or-
he divided the amount and hid part of it

5:2b

but: The Greek word can also mean “and.” In many languages 5:2b would not be considered to contrast to 5:2a. For example:

and (Revised Standard Version)

brought a portion: The Greek is more literally “bringing a certain part.” It indicates that Ananias brought some of the money from the sale of the land. The word “certain” here indicates that how much of a part (like ‘half’ or ‘quarter’) is not stated. Here are some other ways to translate this:

brought a certain part (King James Version)
-or-
brought only a part (Revised Standard Version)

laid it at the apostles’ feet: This clause indicates that Ananias put the money under the control of the apostles. See how you translated this clause in 4:37.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:34

5:34a

Pharisee: The Pharisees were one group within the Jewish religion. They were very careful to follow all the Jewish traditions, as well as obeying the laws that God had given to Moses. Here are some ways to translate this word:

• Spell the word Pharisee according to the sounds of your language and indicate that it refers to the people of that group. For example:

Farisi members
-or-
Parise adherents

• Spell the word Pharisee according to the sounds of your language and indicate that it refers to a group of people with certain beliefs. For example:

people belonging to the Farise religious sect/group
-or-
members of the religious group called the Farasi

See how you translated this word in Matthew 3:7, Mark 2:16, Luke 5:17, or John 1:24.

You may also want to explain the word Pharisee in a footnote or glossary. Here is an example footnote:

The Pharisees were a conservative Jewish religious group. They carefully followed the Old Testament laws and added other rules as well. They were the dominant religious group among the Jews and were highly respected by other Jews.

a teacher of the law: This phrase refers to a man who studied, interpreted, and taught the law of Moses. Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

a teacher of the Law ⌊of Moses⌋
-or-
an expert in religious law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
expert on the laws ⌊that Moses wrote⌋

See how you translated this phrase in Matthew 2:4, Mark 1:22, Luke 5:17, or John 8:3.

5:34b

who was honored by all the people: This further describes Gamaliel. It does not separate this Gamaliel from other men named Gamaliel. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

and he was honored by all the people
-or-
and all the people honored him

5:34c

stood up in the Sanhedrin: This clause implies that Gamaliel was a member of the Sanhedrin. Gamaliel was already there among the other members of the Sanhedrin. Their custom was to sit while listening and stand to speak.

Sanhedrin: See how you translated this word in 5:27.

5:34d

and ordered that the men be put outside for a short time: The word ordered indicates that Gamaliel commanded someone, probably the temple guards (5:26), to take the apostles out of the room where the Sanhedrin was meeting. Here are some other ways to translate this:

and told ⌊the guards⌋ to take the men/apostles out of the room for a short time
-or-
and said, “Take(plur) these men outside for a little while”

the men be put outside: This clause is passive. Probably Gamaliel told the temple guards to take the apostles out of the room. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊someone⌋ put the men outside
-or-

⌊the guards⌋ put the men outside

If you use “someone,” as in the first example, it should not imply someone other than the temple guards. If it does, use the second example.

a short time: This probably refers to some minutes less than an hour.

General Comment on 5:34d

This clause implies that the guards did take the apostles out of the room. In some languages a literal translation would imply that the apostles were still in the room. If that is true in your language, add the implied information here. For example:

and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. ⌊And they did.⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:10

15:10a–c

why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?: This is a rhetorical question. Peter used it to emphasize that they should not test God. Translate 15:10a–c with that function. Some ways are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

why are you testing God by putting a heavy load around the necks of the non-Jewish believers? It is a load that neither we nor our ancestors were able to carry. (New Century Version)

• As a statement. For example:

you test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear! ⌊That is wrong!⌋

• As a command. For example:

You should not test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear!
-or-
Do not test God by putting a heavy load around the necks of the non-Jewish believers! It is a load that neither we nor our ancestors were able to carry.

15:10a

Now: This word indicates that Peter changed from talking about past events to talking about the current debate about circumcising Gentile believers and making them follow Jewish laws.

In some languages translating Now literally would only mean “at the current time.” If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

Well
-or-
Okay

In some languages omitting this word would imply the correct meaning. For example:

So then, why… (Good News Translation)

then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then is usually translated as “therefore.” That is its meaning here. For example:

therefore (English Standard Version)

you test God: A different verb tense may be more natural. For example:

why are you testing God…? (God’s Word)
-or-
why do you try to test God…? (New International Version)

test God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as test can mean “to test a person to see what they can or will do.” In this context, the Pharisee-group believers knew (or should have known) that God accepted Gentiles because of their faith (Acts 10:44–47) and without being circumcised. So by saying that Gentiles believers must be circumcised, they tested God because they challenged God’s will in this matter.

In some languages the word test has a different meaning. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that indicates the correct meaning. For example:

will not accept what God has done
-or-
oppose/challenge God’s ⌊purposes⌋
-or-
reject God’s ⌊ways/will⌋
-or-
push God’s patience to the limit

15:10b

by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke: The word by indicates that placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke was the way they tested God. They demanded that Gentiles keep the whole law (including circumcision) when God had made it clear this was not necessary for salvation. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

that is, you want to put a yoke on the necks of the disciples
-or-
when you try to put a yoke on the necks of the disciples
-or-
We and our ancestors were not able to carry the burden of upholding Moses’ laws, so why do you want to give it to them, why do you want to test God?

placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke: This metaphor of “placing a yoke on the neck” of someone refers to making him do something difficult. People put yokes on large animals like oxen so that they can pull heavy loads. Here the yoke refers to following the whole law of Moses, including circumcision.

In some languages this metaphor would not be correctly understood. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the words of the metaphor as they are and explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

A yoke helps people or animals to carry or move heavy loads. Here it is a metaphor. It refers to making the disciples do something difficult.

• Change the metaphor to people carrying heavy loads. For example:

laying a load on the backs of the believers (Good News Translation)
-or-
placing a heavy burden on the shoulders of these disciples

• Translate the meaning as a metaphor or simile and explain in your translation that the yoke is keeping the whole law of Moses. For example:

making the disciples carry the heavy load of keeping the whole law
-or-
requiring the disciples to obey the whole law of Moses. That is like putting a yoke on their shoulders

• Translate the meaning of the metaphor. For example:

making the believers do something difficult

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

Literally: “putting a yoke on the necks of the disciples.”

disciples: This word in Greek means “learners.” The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn from him and live according to his teaching and example. See how you translated this word in 6:1 or 14:28.

disciples: Here the word disciples probably refers to all believers. The burden would apply to all believers.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to the first twelve disciples. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain its meaning here in your translation. For example:

the disciples, ⌊that is, all believers⌋
-or-

⌊all⌋ believers

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

Here the word “disciples” refers to all believers.

yoke: A yoke is a piece of wood made to fit over the neck or shoulders of an animal. A yoke is put on an animal for pulling a cart, plow, or something like that. The picture below is a double yoke for two animals.

Other ways to translate this word are:

harness
-or-
pulling/carrying gear

15:10c

that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear: This tells the reader more about the yoke (or burden) to obey the whole law. It still uses the metaphor. If you translated the meaning of the metaphor in 15:10b, you may want to translate the meaning of the metaphor here. For example:

that neither we nor our fathers have been able to do

neither we nor our fathers: Peter spoke as a Jewish believer, and the phrase our fathers refers to the ancestors of the Jews. For example:

neither our ancestors nor we (Good News Translation)
-or-
not even we Jews or our ancestors

bear: Here this word means “carry a burden.” It is used figuratively to refer to the difficulty of obeying all the laws of Moses. Other ways to translate this word are:

carry (Good News Translation)
-or-

This burden was too heavy for us or our ancestors (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages a literal translation would not mean “do something difficult” (see notes at 15:10b). If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

obey ⌊them⌋
-or-
follow

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:1

Section 16:1–5

Paul invited Timothy to join them in their work

In this section, Paul and Silas traveled as far as Lystra. Paul encountered Timothy, learned that he was a strong believer, and chose him to work with them. Then they traveled through the region visiting believers in various towns. They told the believers about the four new things the leaders in Jerusalem had decided Gentile believers should obey.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas (New International Version)
-or-
Lycaonia: Paul recruits Timothy (New Jerusalem Bible)

Paragraph 16:1–5

16:1a

Paul: Since this is the beginning of a new chapter, you may want to use the name Paul instead of a pronoun, even though the Greek has a pronoun. Silas went with him, but Paul was the leader. For example:

Paul ⌊took Silas and⌋

came: This Greek word is literally “arrived.” Other ways to translate it are:

went (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
traveled (Good News Translation)

Paul (and Silas) left Cilicia to come here. In some languages it is more natural to indicate where they left. For example:

⌊left Cilicia/there and⌋ arrived

Derbe…Lystra: Both of these names refer to cities.

where he found a disciple named Timothy: This clause begins with the Greek phrase that means “and look.” It emphasizes the fact that Timothy was there. It implies that Timothy was important in the early history of the church. For example:

and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus (King James Version)

But many English versions do not translate the phrase “and look.”

disciple: This word in Greek means “learner.” The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn from him and live according to his teaching and example.

Here this word refers generally to someone who believes in Jesus. In some languages using the word disciple would imply that Timothy was one of the twelve disciples. If that is true in your language, use a more general word for anyone who believes in Jesus. See how you translated this word in 6:1 or 15:10.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021