SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 59

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 27:10

27:10a–b

Paul spoke here from personal experience. In 2 Corinthians 11:25 he spoke about being shipwrecked three times. This saying is not a prophecy from God. God spoke to Paul about what would happen during the last part of the voyage, but it was not until many days later (see 27:21–26).

27:10a

Men: This term of address was a respectful address to men but did not exclude women if any were present.

I can see that our voyage will be filled with disaster: The word see indicates that based on personal experience, Paul expected that any further sailing would end with disaster. In some languages the verb see is not natural here. For example:

I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I expect that our voyage will be disastrous

our voyage will be filled with disaster: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disaster refers to hardship, destruction, or damage. Paul expected that if they sailed further, then a storm would likely destroy or damage the ship. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the voyage will certainly be with damage (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
there is trouble ahead if we go on (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the voyage will become disastrous
-or-
this voyage is likely to result in damage (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

27:10b

great loss, not only to ship and cargo, but to our own lives as well: These words indicate that Paul also expected harm to ship and cargo, and people’s lives. The ship may fall apart, cargo may sink into the sea and people may die. Other ways to translate these words are:

is going to have great loss to ship and cargo, and to us also
-or-
The ship, the cargo, and even our lives may be lost. (New Century Version)
-or-
great loss to ship and cargo will occur/happen and also many of us will die

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 27:42

Paragraph 27:42–44

27:42a–b

The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none of them could swim to freedom: In some languages indirect or direct speech must be used to describe what the soldiers planned. For example:

The soldiers decided that they should kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping.
-or-
The soldiers decided saying, “We should kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping.”

27:42a

The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners: This clause in Greek is literally “The decision of the soldiers was that they should kill the prisoners.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The soldiers said to each other, “We need to kill the prisoners.”

27:42b

so none of them could swim to freedom: Roman authorities punished Roman soldiers severely (sometimes even killing them) if they allowed a prisoner to escape. So usually they would kill prisoners rather than allow them to escape. In some languages the implied reason will not be clear. If so, you may want to:

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

Roman authorities punished Roman soldiers severely if they allowed a prisoner to escape. So usually they would killed prisoners rather than allow them to escape.

• Include some implied information. For example:

to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping ⌊because that way the soldiers avoided being punished for allowing them to escape⌋

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 28:30

Paragraph 28:30–31

28:30a

two full years: This probably refers to a time period of twenty-four months (instead of parts of two years).

his own rented house: This phrase in Greek refers to either a house, flat, apartment, or room that Paul paid the owners each month so that he could live there. For example:

a place he rented for himself (Good News Translation)

28:30b

welcoming all who came to visit him: Paul welcomed anyone who came to see him. He was happy to speak to Jews, Romans, Greeks, or any other kind of person. For example:

He welcomed all who came to visit him (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:16

1:16a–b

the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Scripture had to be fulfilled is literally “it was necessary (for) the Scripture to be fulfilled.” The things that David foretold in Scripture (1:20b–c) had to happen. This would fulfill Scripture. Those things happened to Judas.

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

⌊Certain events⌋ had to happen in order to fulfill the Scripture that the Holy Spirit spoke through David. ⌊Those events⌋ happened to Judas.
-or-
in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit said through David something that must happen involving Judas (New Century Version)
-or-
what the Holy Spirit predicted through David in Scripture about Judas had to come true (God’s Word)

1:16a

Brothers: The Greek is literally “Men, brothers.” The address is a polite way to begin speaking to the people. The address Brothers indicates that Peter was also a believer. Both words here refer to both men and women. Here are some other ways to translate this Greek phrase:

Men/People, my siblings/relatives ⌊in Christ⌋
-or-
My fellow believers

the Scripture: Here this refers to particular verses from the Psalms. Peter quoted them in 1:20. He understood them as prophecies about Judas. For example:

in the Scriptures (New Century Version)
-or-
the ⌊prophecies in⌋ Scripture

fulfilled: This word indicates that what King David said would happen. Those things happened to Judas. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

come true (Good News Translation)
-or-
truly happen

1:16b

the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David: The phrase through the mouth of is a Hebrew way of saying that the Holy Spirit caused King David to speak. He spoke the prophecies long before Judas lived.

the Holy Spirit: This phrase refers to the Spirit of God. See how you translated it in 1:2b.

David: The name David refers to a king who ruled Israel long ago and who wrote some of the Psalms. In some languages people are not familiar with David. If that is true you may want to:

• Explain who he was in your translation. For example:

King David (New Living Translation (2004))

• Translate literally and explain who he was in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

David was a king who ruled Israel about a thousand years before Jesus lived on earth. He was well regarded by God. The Scriptures have many stories about him. He wrote some of the Psalms.

1:16c

concerning Judas: The prophecies in 1:20 came true about Judas. But Judas was not named in those prophecies. Your translation should not indicate or imply that David knew that these prophecies were about Judas. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

foretells the fate of Judas (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
They came true in Judas.

General Comment on 1:16a–c

There are many things said in 1:16a–c. In some languages reordering the information is more natural. For example:

and said, “Brothers, the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David. The Scripture must be fulfilled. Those words were about Judas.
-or-
and said, “Brothers, the Holy Spirit spoke long ago about Judas through the mouth of David, and the Scripture had to be fulfilled.

1:16d

who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus: This clause further describes Judas. It does not separate Judas from other men named Judas. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word who. For example:

He served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.

became a guide: This phrase indicates that Judas led the group who arrested Jesus to him. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

was the guide (Good News Translation)
-or-
guided/led

arrested: This word refers to grabbing someone for the purpose of taking him to someone in authority. The leaders of the group took Jesus to the high priest to be tried in court. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

captured
-or-
seized/caught

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:22

Paragraph 2:22–24

2:22a

The quote from Joel ended in 2:21 and Peter again spoke for himself in 2:22a. In some languages that meaning is more clear by adding an introduction to this part of Peter’s speech. For example:

⌊Peter then said,⌋ “Men of Israel…

Men of Israel: This phrase refers to all people who descended from Jacob, who was later called Israel. It is another way to refer to the Jews. The word Israel would have reminded them about the covenant that God had made with their ancestors. For example:

Descendants of Israel

This address shows respect for them. Consider how to translate this phrase that would be respectful to the listeners.

Peter was also a man of Israel. He did not try to exclude himself from them here. In some languages a literal translation would imply that Peter excluded himself from them. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in your translation. For example:

⌊my fellow⌋ men of Israel
-or-
Fellow Israelites (New International Version (2011))

listen to this message: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as listen to this message is literally “listen to these words.” It refers to what follows. For example:

hear these words: (Revised Standard Version)

2:22b

Jesus of Nazareth: Peter identified Jesus by naming his hometown, Nazareth. He was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth. The Jews knew him as Jesus of Nazareth. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

Jesus from Nazareth (New Century Version)

a man certified by God to you: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

a man whom God certified to you

certified: This word refers to showing that a person is who he says he is. God showed the Jews that Jesus was the Christ by miracles, wonders, and signs. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

whose divine authority was clearly proven (Good News Translation)
-or-
confirmed
-or-
caused us(incl) to understand who he was

2:22c

miracles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as miracles is literally “powers.” The word miracles refers to actions which require supernatural power to accomplish. Jesus used God’s power to do miracles, and these miracles demonstrated that he came from God. For example, Jesus healed sick people and multiplied a few fish and loaves of bread to feed several thousand people.

Here are some other ways to translate miracles:

mighty works
-or-
amazing acts ⌊done with/by God’s power⌋
-or-
actions of supernatural power

If possible, translate this word in a different way than “wonders” or “signs.”

wonders, and signs: See how you translate wonders and signs in 2:19a.

which God did among you through Him: This clause describes the miracles, wonders, and signs. It does not separate these miracles, wonders, and signs from other miracles, wonders, and signs. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word which. For example:

God did them among you through him.

God did among you through Him: The word through indicates that Jesus did the miracles, wonders, and signs on God’s behalf. God enabled him and he did them when God said to. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

by God having him do them on his behalf in your midst
-or-
God/he was having him do among you
-or-
God/he caused him to do among you

2:22d

as you yourselves know: Probably some of the crowd had actually seen Jesus do some of those miracles, wonders, and signs. Probably all of them had heard others tell about the miracles, wonders, and signs that Jesus had done.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 3:8

3:8a

He sprang to his feet: The Greek is literally “jumping up, he stood.” It indicates that the man stood quickly. The Berean Standard Bible uses a more natural way in English to translate that meaning here. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

leaping up he stood (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
He quickly stood
-or-
He suddenly stood

3:8b–c

Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God: The grammar indicates that the man walked, jumped, and praised God at various times while they went into the temple courts. He may have walked a bit, then leapt, then praised God, then leapt again, then walked, then praised God, and so forth. Here are some other ways to translate these words:

walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
He went with them into the temple courtyard. On the way he was walking, jumping, and praising God.

3:8b

the temple courts: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as temple courts is literally “temple.” But as in 2:46 and 3:1–2, the word refers to the courtyards that surrounded the temple. Only the priests were allowed into the temple itself. See how you translated temple courts in 2:46a or 3:2c.

3:8c

praising God: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as praising God means “express approval of God,” or “speak well of God.”

In some languages direct speech must be used. For example:

he said, “God is great!”

See how you translated this phrase in 2:47a.

God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as God refers here to the eternal spirit who created everything. He is more powerful than any other spirit, and he is perfectly good and wise. See how you translated this word in 1:3e or 2:47a.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:14

4:14a

And: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And introduces the leaders not saying anything to Peter and John because they could see the crippled man who was now healed. But there is implied contrast here. The leaders wanted to punish Peter and John for preaching about Jesus, but God had healed the man in the name of Jesus. So some versions translate the connection as “But” (as in the New International Version). Connect 4:14a to 4:13c in a way that is natural in your language.

seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them: This phrase introduces the reason for the result in 4:14b. Many languages must indicate this connection differently. For example:

they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, therefore

the man who had been healed: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the man whom ⌊God⌋ had healed

them: The pronoun them refers here to Peter and John.

4:14b

they had nothing to say in response: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to say means “to speak opposing someone.” The leaders could not tell Peter and John that they had done something wrong or bad. For example:

they had nothing to say to oppose them
-or-
they could say nothing against it (King James Version)

they: The pronoun they refers here to the leaders.

General Comment on 4:14a–b

In some languages it is more natural to have the reason clause last. For example:

14bBut there was nothing they could say 14asince/because they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:9

5:9a

The Greek here begins with the word that is often translated as “and.” It introduces the consequences of Sapphira lying to Peter. Here are some ways to translate this Greek word:

Then (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
But (Revised Standard Version)

How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?: This is a rhetorical question. Peter rebuked Sapphira for agreeing with Ananias to test the Holy Spirit. Here are some ways to translate this:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why did the two of you agree to test the Lord’s Spirit? (Contemporary English Version)

• As a statement. For example:

You ⌊two⌋ should not have agreed to test the Spirit of the Lord

you agree: Here the word you refers to Ananias and Sapphira. The two of them agreed to test the Holy Spirit. For example:

you(dual) agree

to test the Spirit of the Lord: The verb test indicates that Ananias and Sapphira tried to deceive Peter into thinking they had given the apostles the full amount from the sale of the land when they had not. But Peter saw that it really was a test: Would the Holy Spirit reveal the lie or not? Here are some other ways to translate this:

to try to deceive the Spirit of the Lord to accept your lie
-or-
to try to trick the Spirit of the Lord into accepting this amount as the full amount

the Spirit of the Lord: This refers to the Holy Spirit. It is not clear if Lord refers to God or Jesus. Some languages must name to whom Lord refers. If that is true in your language, add “God” or “Jesus.” You may want to follow the major language version.

Lord: This word means “master, one who has authority over others.” See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 4:33.

5:9b

Look: This word tells the listener to pay attention. It is not a command to look at something. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Hey/Indeed!
-or-
Listen, (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door: The phrase the feet of the men is a figure of speech that indicate that these men were ready to step forward and come to where Peter and Sapphira were. Translate that meaning. For example:

The men who buried your husband are on their feet and at the door
-or-
The men who buried your husband are ready and at the door

the feet of the men who buried: The Greek is more literally “the feet of the ones having buried.” It refers to the young men of 5:6 but does not use the Greek word that means “young men” here. For example:

the feet of those who have buried (New Revised Standard Version)

In some languages it would be better to use the same word as in 5:6. For example:

the feet of the young men who buried

5:9c

they will carry you out also: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as carry…out is the same one as in 5:6. It implies that Sapphira would die and the men would carry out her body. At this point of the story, she has not yet died. If possible translate carry…out as you did in 5:6. For example:

they will carry out your body also

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021