SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 70

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 3:4

3:4a–b

Peter looked directly at him, as did John: Peter and John responded to the man’s request by looking directly at him. This action showed that they wanted to talk to him. It does not mean they stared at him in disapproval.

In some languages a literal translation would have a wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

Peter looked at him, as did John
-or-
Peter turned to speak to him, and John turned too

The grammar here indicates that Peter is more important to the story than John. It is Peter who talked to the man, healed him, and spoke to the crowd.

© 2001, 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:10

4:10a

then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: The word then connects 4:10 to the “if” in 4:9. If you did not use “if” there, you may want to introduce 4:10 with “therefore” to indicate the connection to 4:9. See the first two examples at 4:9a–b.

let this be known: The Greek phrase here is an indirect command. But some languages cannot use an indirect command here and must translate it as a direct command. For example:

know this (New International Version)

this: The word this refers to what Peter was about to say.

all of you and to all the people of Israel: The members of the Jewish Council were also people of Israel, so you may need to add “other” before people. For example:

you and all the ⌊other⌋ people of Israel

4:10b–d_

It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…that this man stands before you healed: In the Greek and in the Berean Standard Bible the phrase by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is emphasized by being first in the sentence. In some languages it is more natural to have the by phrase after the main clause. For example:

This man stands before you healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth

4:10b

by the name of: The phrase by the name of means “by the authority of.” Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

through the power of the name of (Good News Translation)
-or-
because of the power of (God’s Word)

Christ: The word Christ is used here as a title. It is not one of Jesus’ names. The Jews used this title to refer to the special person whom God had appointed and promised to send as king and savior. See how you translated this term in 2:31.

of Nazareth: Peter identified Jesus by naming his hometown, Nazareth. He was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth and still lived there when he began his ministry. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

from Nazareth (New Century Version)

4:10c_

whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead: The Berean Standard Bible adds the word but, because the second whom also refers to Jesus. In some languages the word “and” would be more natural. For example:

whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead

These two clauses tell the reader more about Jesus. They do not separate Jesus from other men named Jesus. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word whom. For example:

You crucified Jesus Christ of Nazareth and/but God raised him from the dead. It is in name of Jesus that this man stands…

whom you crucified: Roman soldiers had crucified Jesus, but Peter blamed the Jewish leaders of killing him, because they demanded that Pilate have him killed. They were responsible for Jesus being killed.

crucified: The word crucified refers to killing someone by nailing or tying him to a cross made of wood, then setting the cross upright and waiting until the person died. This was a Roman way to cause criminals to die a slow and painful death. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

killed/executed on a cross
-or-
nailed/tied to a cross ⌊to kill him⌋

killed by nailing to a plank/wood of death
-or-
killed on crossed beam(s) of death

whom God raised from the dead: The phrase from the dead indicates that Jesus was among the dead people but then God raised him and caused him to be alive again.

God: This word refers here to the eternal spirit who created everything. See how you translated this word in 1:3.

4:10d

that this man stands before you healed: The phrase this man stands before you indicates that the man was standing with Peter and John in front of the Sanhedrin. It describes the man as standing there. Then Peter indicates that he is healed. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

this man standing before you; he is well/healthy
-or-
this man who stands before you was/is healed

healed: The Greek adjective that the Berean Standard Bible translates as healed indicates that the man was completely healthy and well. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

well (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
with a healthy body (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:5

5:5a

Ananias fell down and died: This probably indicates that Ananias died while standing then his body fell to the ground. Here are some other ways to translate this:

he fell down dead (Good News Translation)
-or-
he dropped dead (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
he suddenly died and his body fell to the ground

5:5b

great fear came over all who heard what had happened: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as came over indicates that these people became very fearful. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

great fear seized all who heard what had happened (New International Version)
-or-
all who heard about it were terrified (Good News Translation)

all who heard what had happened: The Greek is more literally “all the ones hearing.” There are two ways to interpret to whom this refers:

(1) It refers to those who heard the whole story of Ananias with Peter (5:2b–5a). It includes people who were there and other people who heard soon after. For example:

all who heard of it (Revised Standard Version)

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

(2) It refers to hearing Ananias fall down dead (5:5a). It includes only the people who were there. For example:

everyone present (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible)

Interpretation (2) is possible, but it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because most scholars support it as well.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:37

5:37a

After him: The Greek is more literally “after this(masculine).” The word “this(masculine)” probably refers to Theudas (5:36). The phrase then refers to some time after Theudas died. For example:

After this man (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
After that man (God’s Word)

Judas the Galilean: This Judas was a different man than Judas Iscariot. If you think that readers of your translation will confuse the two men, you may want to explain in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This man was a different man than Judas Iscariot.

the Galilean: This indicates that this Judas lived in the land of Galilee. Here are some other ways to translate this:

of Galilee (King James Version)
-or-
from Galilee (God’s Word)
-or-
a Galilee man

appeared: This is the same word as the word that the Berean Standard Bible translated as “rose up” in 5:36a. See how you translated this word there.

in the days of the census: Here the phrase in the days of means that this Judas rebelled during the time that the Romans were going around and taking this census. Roman officials took this census in Judea in AD 6. It was done about ten years after the one that Luke wrote about in Luke 2:1–2. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

during the time of the census (Good News Translation)
-or-
at the time of the census (Revised English Bible)

The Romans probably took the census over some weeks or months.

census: This word refers to when the Roman government registered all people in a province. They usually did this to determine how much tax had to be collected from that province. See how you translated the similar Greek word in Luke 2:2 that the Berean Standard Bible also translates as “census.”

5:37b

drew away people after him: This Judas persuaded some people to rebel against the Roman rule over the Jews. Here are some other ways to translate this:

caused people to follow him in revolt (LEB)
-or-
led some people to oppose the ⌊Roman⌋ government ⌊over the Jews⌋

people:
The Greek article usually translated as “the” is not present, often implying “some,” as it does here. Here are some other ways to translate this Greek word:

people (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
some of the people (Revised Standard Version)

5:37c

He too perished: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as perished means “die in a violent or untimely way.” The Romans probably killed him. Here are some other ways to translate this:

He too was killed (New International Version)
-or-
he also died a violent death

too: Here this word indicates that the situation of Judas the Galilean was similar of Theudas. Both were killed for rebelling. Here is another way to translate this:

also (Revised Standard Version)

all his followers were scattered: The clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active clause. For example:

⌊soldiers⌋ scattered all his followers

all his followers: See how you translated this phrase in 5:36c.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:13

15:13a

When they had finished speaking: This clause in Greek is literally “After they were silent.” Barnabas and Paul finished speaking, then James spoke. For example:

After they had stopped speaking (New American Standard Bible)

James: This name is spelled Iakobos in the Greek language. In the Old Testament this name is written in English as “Jacob.”

This James was probably the brother of Jesus, not the brother of the apostle John. You may want to include a footnote to explain this. An example footnote is:

This James was probably the brother of Jesus.

declared: The Greek phrase is literally “responded saying.” James responded to what Peter and the others had said and so spoke as he did in 15:13b–21b. For example:

responded and said

In some languages a simple “said” is all that is needed. This allows the context to indicate he responded to the previous speeches. For example:

said (Contemporary English Version)

15:13b

Brothers: The Greek phrase here is literally “Men, brothers.” See how you translated this phrase in 15:7.

listen to me: This phrase is a command to listen. It is a polite request for people to listen to what he wants to say. James was a leader in the church at Jerusalem, so he had some authority.

In some languages a command to listen would not be polite. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that is polite in this situation. For example:

I would like you to listen to me.
-or-
Could you please listen to me?

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:4

16:4a

As they went from town to town: This clause probably covers Paul and Silas’ travels beginning in 15:41 and going to 16:6. For example:

As they went on their way through the cities (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
In all the cities they visited

they: This pronoun refers to Paul, Silas, and Timothy here.

town: Here the Greek word is often translated as “city.” There is also a Greek word for “village.” The Greek word for town is a combination: “village-city.” Here the relative size is not important. Use a word that can be applied to any of these towns/cities. In some languages the general word is “village.” You should not use a word that refers only to large, modern cities.

16:4b

delivered: This word refers to giving something. For example:

gave (New Century Version)

Paul and Silas probably told them rather than giving them a piece of paper with the decisions written on them. (Or they may have shown the original letter to them.) In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to giving a physical object rather than rules. If that is true in your language, use a different verb. For example:

instructing the believers to follow the decisions (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
told (Contemporary English Version)

the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem: This clause refers to the four rules of 15:29. This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the decisions that the apostles and elders in Jerusalem handed down
-or-
what the apostles and elders in Jerusalem decided

handed down: Here the words handed down refer to something that was decided. For example:

decided upon (Good News Translation)

16:4c

for the people to obey: Here the word people refers to believers, and in particular Gentile believers. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to all people. If that is true in your language, refer specifically to believers. For example:

for the believers to obey

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:36

16:36a–b

The magistrates have sent orders to release you: This clause in Greek is literally “The magistrates have sent that you(plur) be released.” For example:

The magistrates have sent to let you go (Revised Standard Version)

The magistrates ordered the jailer to release both Paul and Silas. The jailer told this message to Paul. Since English uses the same pronoun for you(sing) and you(plur), many English versions translate similarly to the New International Version for the correct meaning. For example:

The officials have sent an order for you and Silas to be released (Good News Translation)

In many languages the pronoun you(plur) is different than the pronoun you(sing), so a literal translation would be clear.

16:36c

Now you may go on your way in peace: The Greek words are literally “Having gone out, go in peace.” Leaving the prison introduces the main point of what the jailer wanted to say to Paul. He wanted him to go on his way in peace. For example:

Leaving here, go in peace.

But a literal translation of the Greek words is not very natural in English. So many English versions translate without using a verb ending in “-ing.” For example:

You may leave, then, and go in peace. (Good News Translation)

go on your way in peace: This refers to leaving the prison. This clause is the jailer’s own message to Paul and Silas. It was a common farewell expression. The jailer wanted God to grant peace to Paul.

in peace: See the similar phrase in 15:33.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:28

17:28a

For in Him we live and move and have our being: This saying is similar to a saying by a Greek philosopher hundreds of years before this time. Since Paul did not introduce it like he did in 17:28b, he probably did not intend for it to be understood as an exact quote. The New Jerusalem Bible does not use quote marks:

since it is in him that we live, and move, and exist (New Jerusalem Bible)

For: This word introduces the basis for saying that God is not far away from anyone.

in Him we live and move and have our being: Here the word in indicates that God is the source of life and people depend on God to live. Other ways to translate this clause are:

we live, move, and exist because of him (God’s Word)
-or-
he gives us the power to live, to move, and to be who we are (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He is the one who causes us to live, who enables us to move, and who enables us to be people

in Him: This phrase is emphasized by being first in the clause. Another way to emphasize it is:

It is in him that

move: Here the verb move refers to any activity. In some languages another verb is used to refer generally to any activity, such as “do.” If that is true in your language, you may want to use it here.

have our being: This phrase refers to being alive. God causes all people to exist. For example:

exist (Good News Translation)

17:28b

your own poets: The pronoun your refers to the Greek people.

poets: This word refer to a person who speaks or writes sayings that are meaningful, wise, well-expressed, and worthwhile to follow. Both 17:28a and 17:28b have poetic sayings. Some languages do not have a single word for this meaning or do not have a tradition of poets. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Describe the meaning in your translation. For example:

people who write good sayings
-or-
people who make ⌊sweet⌋ sayings

• Refer generally to people in your translation. You may then want to explain the literal word in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The literal word refers to a person who speaks or writes sayings that are meaningful and well-expressed. “For in him we live and move and have our being” and “We are his offspring” are examples of these kinds of sayings.

We are His offspring: This clause in Greek is literally “for of him we are also descendants/family/relatives.” Here it indicates that people originate from God. Other ways to translate this clause are:

We too are his children. (Good News Translation)
-or-
For we are indeed his offspring. (Revised Standard Version)

This clause does not indicate that God caused us to be in the same way that a father causes his children to be. In some languages a literal translation would have the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the correct meaning. For example:

we originated from God
-or-
He caused us to be and made us like him

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

This clause indicates that people originate from God. It does not indicate that God caused us to live like a father causes his children to live.

Search

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021