SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 62

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 26:18

26:18a

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light: There are two ways to interpret the connection of the two clauses here:

(1) Opening the eyes is the purpose of sending Paul (26:17b), and turning the people from darkness to light is the purpose of opening their eyes. For example:

to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Century Version)

(2) Both opening the eyes and turning the people from darkness to light are purposes for sending Paul. For example:

to open their eyes and turn them from the darkness to the light (Good News Translation)

(New International Version, Good News Translation, King James Version, God’s Word, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because there is no “and” in the Greek here.

to open their eyes: This is a metaphor. Someone who has not believed in God is like someone with closed eyes. Paul would explain God’s plan to save people through Jesus. Giving them that knowledge is like opening their eyes. Many languages can use the same metaphor for this meaning here. However, in some languages the meaning of a literal translation of the metaphor would not be clear. If so, you may want to:

• Explain all or part of the meaning in your translation. For example:

to open their eyes ⌊by knowing/hearing God’s plan to save people⌋
-or-
to remove their blindness ⌊concerning me⌋

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

Someone who does not believe in God is like someone with closed eyes. Paul would explain God’s plan to save people though Jesus. Teaching them that is like opening their eyes.

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

to explain God’s plan to save people though me

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

Literally: “to open their eyes.”

so that they may turn from darkness to light: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that they may turn is literally “to turn.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek word:

(1) Paul was to turn them from darkness to light. This would be similar to bringing them out of prison in the second and third parts of Isaiah 42:7 (the first part refers to opening their eyes). For example:

turn them from the darkness to the light (Good News Translation)

(New International Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) The people themselves turn from darkness to light. They do this based on their new understanding about God’s plan to save them. For example, the Revised Standard Version says

that they may turn from darkness to light

(Berean Standard Bible; Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Century Version, English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek phrase does not have the word that means so that (or “that” as in the Revised Standard Version example above). Interpretation (1) is also more similar to Isaiah 42:7.

turn from darkness to light: This is a metaphor. Living apart from God is like being in the dark. Following God is like being in the light, because God guides and teaches. Many languages can use the same metaphor for this meaning here. However, in some languages the meaning of a literal translation of the metaphor would not be clear. If so, you may want to:

• Explain all or part of the meaning in your translation. For example:

change from ⌊living in⌋ darkness to ⌊living in⌋ light
-or-
leave the darkness and enter the light ⌊of God⌋

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

Living apart from God is like being in the dark. Following God is like being in the light, because God guides and teaches.

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

turn their backs on evil and their minds will be illumined
-or-
turn away from evil and allow God to guide them

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

Literally: “to turn from darkness to light.”

26:18b

and from the power of Satan to God: This is the second thing they are to turn from and the second thing they are to turn to. In some languages it is more natural to repeat the verb here. For example:

and ⌊turn⌋ from the power of Satan to God

This phrase refers to believing in God. In some languages it is more natural to indicate the implied information. For example:

and ⌊turn⌋ from the power of Satan to God ⌊and believe⌋
-or-
and ⌊turn⌋ from the power of Satan ⌊and believe in⌋ God

the power of Satan: This phrase in Greek can also be translated “the authority of Satan.” Satan is like a leader over those in the darkness. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the dominion of Satan (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Satan leading them

Satan: The word Satan is the Hebrew name of the leader of all the evil spirits. See how you translated this word in 5:3.

26:18c

26:18c–d describe two results for those who turn to God.

that they may receive forgiveness of sins: This clause in Greek is literally “so that they receive forgiveness of sins.” This is a result of turning to God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

and receive…forgiveness of their sins (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and God will forgive them for sinning

they may receive forgiveness of sins: In English, the word receive implies someone else willingly gave what was received. The word “take” does not imply that someone else willingly gave it. It is implied here that God willingly gave the forgiveness.

Many languages have the same word for both “receive” and “take.” In some of those languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that the believers took the forgiveness without God giving it willingly. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a different word than receive. For example:

⌊God⌋ may give them forgiveness of sins
-or-

⌊God⌋ may forgive their sins

forgiveness of sins: This phrase refers to God not punishing the person for his sins. He also does not hold those sins against the person for punishment later. See how you translated this phrase in 5:31 or 13:38.

26:18d

and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me: This is the second thing that believers will receive. In some languages, it is more natural to repeat “receive” here. For example:

and ⌊receive⌋ an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me
-or-
and ⌊he may give to them⌋ a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me

an inheritance: The Greek word is literally “(a) portion.” All believers share in what God has promised for them. For example:

a share in the inheritance (New Jerusalem Bible)

those sanctified by faith in Me: The clause is passive. God has sanctified them by means of they believing in Jesus. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

those whom ⌊God⌋ has sanctified by faith/believing in me

sanctified: This refers to God making believers holy. He has changed them from being sinners to being holy. For example:

have been made holy (New Century Version)

by faith in Me: This phrase probably connects to “sanctified.” It indicates that when people believe in Jesus, God sanctifies them. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

by means of their believing in me
-or-
because of their belief in Me

faith in Me: The word faith means “a strong and sincere belief in something or someone.” Faith in Jesus includes:

(a) accepting His message as true,

(b) acting on the basis of His message,

(d) trusting in Him.

The word faith describes an event. In some languages a verb must be used. For example:

believing in me
-or-
believing that I ⌊am the Christ⌋

General Comment on 26:15b–18d

26:18d is the end of Paul’s telling King Agrippa what Jesus said to him. In some languages it is more natural to clearly indicate the end with an added sentence. For example:

18dand a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ ⌊That is what the Lord Jesus said to me.⌋
-or-

18dand a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” 19⌊Then Paul continued speaking to King Agrippa,⌋ “So then…

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 27:18

27:18a

We were tossed so violently: The Greek clause can be translated literally as “We being storm-tossed violently.” The wind and waves pushed the ship from side to side as well as up and down in the front and back. Other ways to translate this clause are:

As we were violently storm-tossed, (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
We were being pounded by the storm so violently (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
As the storm beat violently against us
-or-
The storm ⌊and waves⌋ tossed us ⌊and the ship⌋ around violently

27:18b

the men began to jettison the cargo: The Greek clause can be translated literally as “they began to do throwing out.” What they threw into the sea is not said. They did not throw equipment for sailing the ship until 27:19 and they did not throw the grain in the hold of the ship until 27:38. Each time they threw something overboard it was more important things to the ship owner, so this first time they would have thrown less important things. So it may have been:

(a) other things that the ship owner planned to sell in Rome,

(b) things that the ship owner was taking for other people,

Refer generally to these kinds of things in your translation. For example:

they began to throw various ⌊less important⌋ things off the ship
-or-
they started throwing cargo ⌊that was not essential⌋ into the sea

Throwing these things overboard made the ship lighter, so that the ship floated higher in the water so the waves would damage it less. Some of these things may have been on the top deck of the ship, and removing them would help prevent the ship from tipping over. In some languages the purpose for throwing these things overboard may not be clear. If so, you may want to explain it in your translation. For example:

they began to throw various things off the ship ⌊to make it lighter⌋
-or-
they started throwing cargo ⌊that was not essential⌋ into the sea ⌊to help prevent the waves damaging the ship⌋

the men: The word men probably refers to the sailors here. For example:

the crew (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 28:6

28:6a

The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead: The people of the island recognized that the snake was poisonous. They were expecting the poison to cause him to become swollen or suddenly die. For example:

They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. (Good News Translation)

were expecting: The Greek tense probably indicates the people waited some time expecting Paul to swell or die. For example:

waited, expecting (Revised Standard Version)

him to swell up: The snake bite would probably have caused his hand and possibly his arm to become swollen rather than the whole body. In some languages what became swollen must be explicitly said. For example:

his hand would swell-up
-or-
his ⌊hand⌋ ⌊and arm⌋ to swell

28:6b

after waiting a long time: The people knew about how long it would be before someone bitten by this kind of snake would swell up or die. So they waited longer than that time. It could have been some minutes or perhaps even an hour. These verses do not tell us the exact kind of snake it was. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

when they had waited a long time (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
after they waited longer than usual

seeing nothing unusual happen to him: This indicates that Paul remained healthy. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

without seeing anything out of the ordinary happen to him (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
watched him for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him (New Century Version)

28:6c

they changed their minds: This indicates the people no longer thought Paul was a murderer but instead thought he was a god. Other ways to translate this clause are:

their thinking changed
-or-
they began to think differently
-or-
they changed what they thought

said he was a god: The people of the island believed in many gods. Since Paul did not swell up and die, they began to think that he had power over nature and therefore was a god.

said: The Greek tense probably indicates that they continued saying this for some time. For example:

began to say (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:13

1:13a

When they arrived: The Greek is literally “when they entered.” The word “Jerusalem” is implied from 1:12. For example:

They entered the city (Good News Translation)

they went to the upper room where they were staying: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the upper room indicates that this house had a large room built on top of the main part of the house. In NT times some houses had two stories like this one. Often the room upstairs had its own staircase outside. Also, the room was probably large (the event in 1:15 may have been in this room).

It is also implied that they walked from the city gate to the house where the upstairs room was. For example:

they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying (New Living Translation (2004))

they were staying: The apostles were from Galilee. So they probably rented the room. By this time they had probably stayed there for 6 weeks or so.

1:13b–d

Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James: This list identifies who the pronoun “they” refers to in 1:13a. This is the first time that these men are mentioned by name in Acts. The Greek makes three groups with the names by using “and” between some names. For example:

Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. (English Standard Version)

But some languages must use and between every name in this list for a natural translation.

1:13b

The Greek of 1:13b begins with a word that literally means “The/Those.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word, but indicates that the list of names is connected to the pronoun “they” (1:13a) by using a colon (:) at the end of 1:13a. If you choose to translate this Greek word, here are some other ways to translate it:

there were (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon (known as the Zealot), and Judas son of James were there. (New Century Version)
-or-
They were

1:13d

James son of Alphaeus: There were two disciples with the name “James.” In order to distinguish this James from the first James (1:13b), people referred to this James as James son of Alphaeus. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Alphaeus’s son James
-or-
James who was the son of Alphaeus

In some languages the father’s name is used as a surname. For example:

James Alphaeus

Simon the Zealot: There were also two apostles with the name “Simon.” In order to distinguish this Simon from (Simon) Peter (1:13b), people referred to this Simon as Simon the Zealot.

the Zealot: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Zealot means “someone who was zealous or passionate.” At that time in Israel it referred to people zealous for Jews to be free from the control of Rome.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

the Zealous One
-or-
the Patriot (Good News Translation)
-or-
the nationalist/revolutionary

Judas son of James: This Judas was also known as Thaddeus. (See Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18.) His father James was a different person from the two apostles named James. In some languages a literal translation would imply that this James was one of the apostles. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Indicate that this James is a different person. For example:

Judas son of ⌊another⌋ James

• Explain in a footnote. For example:

This James was a different person from the two apostles named James.

In some languages the father’s name is used as a surname. For example:

Judas James

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:19

2:19a

wonders: This word refers to an amazing action or event that indicates something is about to happen. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

omens
-or-
portents (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
events that show that something will happen

the heavens above: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the heavens above refers to the sky here.

signs: Here this word refers to the kinds of miracles which are regarded as having some special meaning. In Matthew 12:38 the Pharisees wanted Jesus to do a special miracle to make it plain that God had sent him. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

miracles ⌊with special meaning⌋
-or-
supernatural occurrences/events ⌊with special meaning⌋

2:19b

blood and fire and billows of smoke: There is a textual issue here.

Many early Greek manuscripts have this phrase.

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version, English Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, New Century Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

Some Greek manuscripts do not have this phrase.

(New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1).

These three things are examples of wonders and signs. For example:

⌊such as⌋ blood and fire and billows of smoke
-or-

⌊for example,⌋ blood and fire and billows of smoke

blood: This may refer to people killing other people or to things that turn the color of blood. Translate this word in a way that allows both meanings.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 3:5

3:5

the man gave them his attention: As a response to Peter’s command the man began looking at Peter and John. He waited to see what they would do. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

The man looked at them (New Century Version)
-or-
He turned to them expectantly (New Jerusalem Bible)

expecting to receive something from them: Other people usually gave the man money, because he begged for money there. So he expected Peter and John to give him money as well. Here are some other ways to translate these words:

hoping that they would give him something (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
expecting some money (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Expecting a gift from them (Revised English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:11

4:11a

The part of 4:11a–b inside the quote marks is a quote from Psalm 118:22. You may want to include this information in a footnote or a cross-reference in your translation.

Peter quoted this Scripture to refer to Jesus. The stone is a metaphor that refers to Jesus. The Jewish leaders were like the builders who rejected the stone. They rejected Jesus, but God revealed that Jesus was the Christ, like the stone that made the building stand well.

It may be helpful to include a footnote in your translation to explain that Peter compared Jesus to the stone in this verse. Here are some example footnotes:

Jesus is like the stone because the Jewish leaders rejected him.
-or-
The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, like the builders rejected the capstone. Jesus is also like the capstone because it is the most important stone in the building.

This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected…’: In some languages a quote from the OT is always introduced. For example:

This Jesus is, ⌊as the scriptures say,⌋ ‘the stone you builders rejected…’

In many languages, this metaphor must be translated using “like.” For example:

This Jesus is ⌊like⌋ ‘the stone that you who are like the builders rejected…’

This Jesus: This word in Greek is literally “This male (person).” Here it refers to Jesus, not the man who was lame before Peter healed him.

the stone you builders rejected: This clause in Greek is literally “the stone, the one having been rejected by you, the ones building.” In Greek, this clause is passive. Translate this in a way that is natural in your language. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• As a passive clause. For example:

the stone which was rejected by you builders (Revised Standard Version)

• As an active clause, as the Berean Standard Bible models. For example:

‘the stone that you builders rejected (New Century Version)

the stone: The Jews used stones to construct most of their houses and other buildings. If people in your area do not use stones to build buildings, you may want to write a footnote to explain the meaning here. Here is an example footnote:

At that time the Jews cut blocks of stone from the mountains to make buildings.

An illustration that shows men building a house with stones and a stone foundation could also be helpful to readers. Because the New Testament writers often referred to Jesus as a “stone,” it is good to keep this metaphor in your translation.

you builders rejected: The builders chose only the stones that they thought were good quality. But they did not realize that they rejected the best stone.

4:11b

which has become the cornerstone: The Greek does not say how the rejected stone became the most important stone in the building. In some languages it may be necessary to add that information. If that is true in your language, you should indicate that God did it. For example:

which ⌊God⌋ has made the cornerstone

the cornerstone: This phrase in Greek is literally “(the) head of the corner.” Scholars interpret this phrase in different ways:

(1) It refers to a stone in the corner of the foundation. For example:

the cornerstone (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, New Century Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New International Version (2011))

(2) It refers to a capstone, a stone at the top center of an arched door. For example:

the capstone (New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). However, both interpretations indicate that the stone was a vitally important one. This was the stone that made the whole building strong. In some languages it may therefore be good to indicate that point clearly. For example:

the most important stone of all (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the stone that makes the whole building strong
-or-
the stone that supports the rest of the building

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:6

5:6a

Then: The Greek word is often translated “and.” The events of 5:6 occur after the events of 5:5. Here are some other ways to translate this:

And (King James Version)
-or-
The young men…

the young men: This refers to men under 24 years of age. These young men have not been mentioned before in this story. In some languages it would be more natural not to use the word the here. For example:

some young men (New Living Translation (2004))

stepped forward: The Greek is more literally “having arisen.” There are several ways to interpret the Greek word:

(1) It refers to arising from a sitting position. For example:

rose

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

(2) It refers to being in the room already and coming before Peter as their leader. This is the interpretation of the Berean Standard Bible and the New International Version. Peter then probably acknowledged them for the task of taking care of the dead body.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version)

(3) It refers to being somewhere and coming. For example:

came

(New Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(4) It refers to being outside the room and coming into it. For example:

came in

(Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because “having arisen” probably implies that these men were nearby. Interpretation (2) is also a sense of the Greek word, so is possible too.

wrapped up his body: This phrase probably indicates that the young men wrapped a large piece of cloth around his body to prepare it for burying it. Here are some other ways to translate this:

wrapped him in a shroud (TLV)
-or-
wrapped his body in a sheet (God’s Word)

5:6b

carried him 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. Here it refers to carrying the body of Ananias, wrapped in a large cloth, out of the building where Peter was.

In some languages it is more natural to refer to the body here. For example:

carried out his body

buried him: According to Jewish custom, people would put a body in a hole dug in the ground or in a tomb carved out of the bedrock. The hole with the body in it would be filled again with dirt or the entrance to the tomb would be closed with a large stone.

In some languages it is more natural to refer to the body here. For example:

buried it

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021