SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 73

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 4:17

4:17a

But: There is contrast between the leaders not being able to deny the miracle (4:16c) and warning Peter and John to stop speaking about Jesus (4:17b).

Some languages would not see that connection as contrast. If that is true in your language, omit this conjunction or use a natural connection here.

to keep this message from spreading any further among the people: This phrase in Greek is literally “in order that it may not be spread further.”

The Greek clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active clause. For example:

in order that it may spread no further (Revised Standard Version)

Here “it” refers to the gospel of Jesus or people becoming believers in Jesus (both are possible from what the leaders said in 4:17b), as the Berean Standard Bible makes explicit.

4:17b

we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name: This clause indicates that the Jewish leaders planned to tell the apostles that they would punish them, if they continued to speak to people about Jesus. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

let us warn them to speak no more to any one in this name (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
we must warn them not to speak to anyone in that name again

to speak…in this name: These words mean here “to speak as those authorized by Jesus or as those representing him.” For example:

to speak as spokesmen for that man
-or-
to be an advocate/messenger for that person

Scholars think that the Jewish leaders belittled Jesus, when they referred to him by this name and avoided saying the name “Jesus.” See the above examples.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:12

Section 5:12–16

The apostles healed many people

In this section, the apostles were doing many amazing miracles, and all the believers met regularly in one of the temple areas. Other people greatly respected the believers and many were becoming believers in the Lord Jesus. During those days, God used the apostles to heal all of the sick and demon-possessed people who came to them.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

The apostles healed sick people and removed evil spirits from people
-or-
The apostles do miracles, wonders, and healings

Paragraph 5:12–16

5:12a

The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people: The Greek is more literally “and/but/now many signs and wonders were being done by the hands of the apostles among the people.” It implies that God was doing these signs and wonders through the apostles. Here are some ways to translate this passive clause:

• As a passive clause. For example:

Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. (Revised Standard Version)

• As an active clause. For example:

Through the apostles ⌊God⌋ was doing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people.

apostles: See how you translated this word in 1:2 or 5:2.

performed: The tense of the Greek verb indicates that they did a number of these signs and wonders, but not all at one time. See the above examples.

many signs and wonders: The word many applies to both the signs and the wonders. In some languages the word many must be repeated for the correct meaning. For example:

many miraculous signs and many wonders

signs: The Greek word refers to the kinds of miracles which are regarded as having some special meaning. See how you translated this word in 2:22 or 4:30.

wonders: This word refers to an amazing action or event that indicates something is about to happen. See how you translated this word in 2:22 or 4:30.

5:12b

the believers gathered together: The Greek is more literally “they all were.” The word “all” in the Greek probably refers to a different group than the apostles (5:12a).

Solomon’s Colonnade was not a house with beds or places to cook, so the Greek verb refers to the believers generally being in this place.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they were all (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
all the believers were meeting (New Living Translation (2004))

Solomon’s Colonnade: A Colonnade is a long building made of many columns or posts instead of walls. Here there were columns on one side and a wall on the other side. They supported a roof. See how you translated this phrase in 3:11.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 6:3

6:3a

brothers: Here this word refers to fellow believers, both men and women. All believers belong to God’s family, so the family terms of “brother” and “sister” are often used for fellow believers. See how you translated this word in 1:16.

6:3b

confirmed to be: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word here:

(1) It means that people spoke well of these seven men. For example:

of good reputation (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

(2) It means that people knew that these seven men behaved a certain way. For example:

whom the people know are (God’s Word)

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

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the BDAG (sense 2.b) supports it.

full of the Spirit: The word Spirit here refers to the Holy Spirit. The phrase indicates that these men listened well to the Holy Spirit and did what he told them. Here are some other ways to translate this:

full of the Holy Spirit (Good News Translation)
-or-
joined by the Holy Spirit
-or-
whom God’s Spirit enables well

and wisdom: The word wisdom is also connected to “full of.” The word wisdom means “the ability to understand events and know the right action.” Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

and wise words and actions
-or-
and ⌊full of⌋ right and just thinking

6:3c

We will appoint this responsibility to them: The Greek is more literally “whom we will appoint over this work/need.” The apostles would give the work of helping the poor widows to these seven men. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

whom we may appoint to this duty (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
and we will put them in charge of this matter (Good News Translation)
-or-
and we will give this work/ministry to them

responsibility: The Greek word refers to work or ministry that helps with people’s needs. The believing Grecian widows needed more food, so these men would help them with that need, probably every day. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

ministry to their needs
-or-
work of helping those in need

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:20

15:20a

Instead: There is contrast here. The contrast is between making the lives of the Gentile believers more difficult (in 15:19) and making their lives less difficult (in 15:20). The apostles would make the Gentile believers’ lives more difficult if they required them to obey all the Old Testament laws including circumcision (in 15:19). They could make their lives less difficult by requiring them to obey only the four rules that James recommended (in 15:20).

In some languages it is more natural to explain the contrast. For example:

Instead ⌊of making it difficult⌋
-or-
Instead ⌊of telling them to obey the laws of Moses⌋

15:20b–d

James listed four rules that Gentile believers should follow. The first two rules agree with Paul’s own rules for Gentile believers. The second two would help Gentile believers to invite Jewish believers for a meal and not offend them.

15:20b

food polluted by idols: The Greek is literally “the pollutions of idols.” This probably refers to all activities connected to idol worship or anything that honored the idols. This would include feasts held at the temple of an idol. Such activities would “pollute” the faith of the believers by mixing honoring idols with honoring God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

any activity connected to idols because they pollute ⌊a believer’s faith⌋
-or-
things polluted by contact with idols (Revised English Bible)
-or-
any deed that honors idols since that ruins ⌊a pure devotion to God⌋

The apostles and elders used a different Greek word in 15:29 (“food sacrificed to idols”). Probably the Greek word in 15:29 helps define what James meant here. For example:

eating food offered to idols (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
any food that is ritually unclean because it has been offered to idols (Good News Translation)

idols: The idols are statues or other physical representations of a god. People bow down in front of the idol to worship that god.

15:20c

sexual immorality:
This phrase refers to any kind of sexual activities outside of marriage. In your culture, you may use a euphemism for this meaning. For example:

sleep/lie with someone who was not their/his/her spouse
-or-
do wrong with someone who was not their/his/her spouse

The word or phrase you use should be acceptable for reading aloud in public, and not be embarrassing.

15:20d

the meat of strangled animals: At that time Gentiles sometimes strangled the animal and cooked it with the blood still in it. In some languages the implied information about cooking it with the blood still in it may not be clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to include the implied information. For example:

the meat of strangled animals ⌊and cooked without draining the blood⌋

The law of Moses prohibited doing this. This practice offended Jewish believers. In some languages the reason for this rule is not clear. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Cooking meat with the blood still in it would offend Jewish believers.

from blood: The law of Moses also prohibited drinking blood or eating food made with blood. This practice also offended Jewish believers. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

not to eat…any blood (Good News Translation)
-or-
from consuming blood (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:11

Section 16:11–15

In Philippi, Lydia became a believer

In this section, Paul and his companions left Troas and sailed across the Aegean Sea to Macedonia. Then they traveled inland to the city of Philippi. They did not find a synagogue in the city. So they went to a nearby river where they met a group of women who followed the Jewish religion. The women met there regularly for prayer. Paul told them the gospel about Jesus and a woman named Lydia became a believer.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Conversion of Lydia (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Arrival at Philippi (NET Bible)

Paragraph 16:11–12

16:11a

sailed from Troas straight to Samothrace: The wind was from a direction that the ship could sail in a straight line for the island of Samothrace. For example:

sailed straight across to Samothrace (Good News Translation)

The context implies that they stopped overnight at Samothrace.

sailed: This verb refers to going somewhere by ship on the sea. The ships of that time used sails and wind to move forward. They could be large, taking hundreds of people. Below is an artist’s drawing of that kind of sailing ship.

Other ways to translate this word are:

travel by ship
-or-
got on a ship and went
-or-
began traveling by sailboat

Samothrace: This name refers to an island in the Aegean Sea between Troas and Neapolis.

16:11b

the following day on to Neapolis: The verb phrase “sailed straight” is implied here. They sailed straight from Samothrace to Neapolis. In some languages a verb is necessary here. For example:

the next day ⌊we sailed straight⌋ to Neapolis

Neapolis: This name in Greek means “New City.” It was the name of a city on the shore of the Aegean Sea.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:3

17:3a

explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead: This clause describes how Paul reasoned with them from the Scriptures (17:2b). He explained the meaning of certain verses in the Old Testament and showed from them that the Christ would suffer and die, and God would raise him from death. Other ways to translate this clause are:

by explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer ⌊and die⌋, and rise from the dead
-or-
He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. (New Living Translation (2004))

the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead: God said that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead. So it would happen. Other ways to translate this clause are:

it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the Christ was required to suffer, ⌊die,⌋ and rise from death
-or-
the Christ must die and then rise from the dead (New Century Version)

the Christ: The word Christ is a title. It means “the anointed one.” The Jews used it to refer to the special person that God had promised to send to save them from their enemies. The Hebrew word with the same meaning is written “Messiah” in English. Here Paul was trying to convince the Jews that Jesus was the Christ/Messiah.

Some languages use Christ like a surname for Jesus. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the meaning of the title. For example:

the Anointed One
-or-
the Chosen Man

You may then want a footnote to explain the meaning here. An example footnote is:

Literally “the Christ.” This title refers to the special person that God had promised to send to save the Jews from their enemies. Jesus showed that he was that special person and that he would save people from their sins.

• Use a word that indicates the title here. For example:

the Messiah

suffer: This word refers to others causing someone to feel pain. Here the word implies “die” as well. For example:

suffer, die, (God’s Word)

rise from the dead: This refers to God causing the Christ to live again after he died. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

rise from death (Good News Translation)
-or-
come back to life (God’s Word)
-or-
for God to cause him to live again

17:3b

“This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared: The Berean Standard Bible placed the phrase he declared after the spoken words. Place it where it would be most natural in your language. For example:

He said, “This Jesus I am telling you about is the Christ.” (New Century Version)

Luke probably implied that Paul concluded his talk with these words. For example:

saying ⌊at the end⌋ ⌊of his talk⌋, “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”

This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ: The Greek words are literally “This is the Christ, Jesus, whom I proclaim to you.” The words indicate that the Christ whom Paul was talking about (17:3a) is Jesus and that Paul proclaimed him as the Christ. For example:

This is the Christ, ⌊he is⌋ Jesus, whom I proclaim to you.
-or-
This is the Messiah, Jesus. I am proclaiming him to you.

The Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions connect the word “this” with Jesus, probably indicating that This is emphasized and so put first. Other ways to order the clause are:

And the Christ…is this Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
This Christ is Jesus and I am telling you about him.

am proclaiming: This phrase refers to publicly announcing something. The Greek present tense may refer to the end of his talk at the end of the third day (as in the Berean Standard Bible) or more generally to all three days. For example:

proclaim (Revised Standard Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 18:1

Section 18:1–17

Paul went to Corinth

In this section, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. He made the acquaintance of Aquila and Priscilla there. He worked with them making tents. Every Sabbath he discussed Jesus as the Christ with people. After some time Silas and Timothy came to Corinth. Then Paul stopped making tents and began preaching every day. Some of the Jews opposed Paul. So Paul began using the house of Titius Justus as a place to preach. Many people of Corinth believed in Jesus.

One night Jesus spoke to Paul and told him to speak the gospel fearlessly. So Paul stayed a year and a half, preaching and teaching. During that time, the Jews took Paul to court, but the Roman judge refused to judge the case. Then some people at the court beat Sosthenes, the synagogue ruler, because they disliked the Jews.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul preached in Corinth and stayed for a year and a half
-or-
People in Corinth hear the message
-or-
In Corinth (New International Version)

Paragraph 18:1–4

18:1

After this: Paul probably spent at least a few days teaching the new believers in Athens. Your translation should not indicate that Paul left Athens immediately after he left the council (such as with a phrase like: “That day” or “Then”). Refer generally to his time in Athens. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

After these things (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Later (New Century Version)

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth: Paul may have gone by ship or by road. It was a one day trip by ship in good weather. The road from Athens to Corinth was about 80 kilometers (50 miles). This would take two days on foot, or one day by cart or horse.

Paul left: The Greek word is literally “(he) left.” But since this verse begins a new chapter, the Berean Standard Bible uses Paul’s name here.

Corinth: Corinth was the capital city of the province of Achaia and was a center of commerce at that time. Corinth is a seaport on the Gulf of Corinth leading to the Ionian Sea.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 19:5

19:5

On hearing this: The word this refers back to 19:4b. In some languages the word “that” is more natural.

they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus: The phrase into the name of indicates that they were baptized as a sign that they followed Jesus. They now belonged to the group of believers. They had now completed the process of becoming Christians. Other ways to translate this clause are:

they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they were baptized ⌊again⌋ to make known that Jesus was their Lord
-or-
they were baptized as followers of the Lord Jesus
-or-
they were baptized to show that they now believed in the Lord Jesus
-or-
they were baptized so that it might be known that they were in fellowship with our Lord Jesus

they were baptized: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. Perhaps Paul baptized them. But since Paul is mentioned by name in 19:6a, perhaps someone else baptized them. For example:

⌊Paul⌋ baptized them
-or-

⌊someone⌋ baptized them

baptized: Here this word refers to the Christian ritual that uses water. See how you translated this word in 1:5 or 18:8.

General Comment on 19:5

The context implies that the men believed that Jesus was the Christ and so asked to be baptized. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate or imply that they did not believe in Jesus, but were baptized anyway. If that is true in your language, include the implied information in your translation. For example:

On hearing this, they ⌊believed and⌋ were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
-or-
On hearing this, they ⌊believed in⌋ the Lord Jesus ⌊and⌋ were baptized into his name.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021