SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 75

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 22:23

Paragraph 22:23–25

22:23a–24a

As they were shouting and throwing…and tossing…, the commander ordered: 22:23a–b describes what the crowd was doing when the commander ordered his soldiers to take Paul into the barracks. What the crowd was doing caused the commander to order his soldiers to take Paul to the barracks. Other ways to translate that meaning are:

They were shouting ⌊those things⌋ and ⌊began⌋ throwing…and flinging dust into the air. 24⌊So⌋ the commander ordered…
-or-
The mob was yelling, taking off their coats, and throwing dirt into the air. 24So the officer ordered… (God’s Word)

22:23a

As they were shouting: This clause refers to the things the crowd said in 22:22c. They probably shouted other things as well.

throwing off their cloaks: There are several ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as throwing off. The two main ways are:

(1) It means throw. The people in the crowd forcefully removed their own outer garments. For example:

threw off their coats (New Living Translation (2004))

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

(2) It means wave. The crowd took off their outer garments and waved them in the air. For example:

waving their clothes (Good News Translation)

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because that is the usual meaning of the Greek word.

cloaks: The Greek word here is the same word as the one the Berean Standard Bible translates as “garments” in 22:20c. It refers to the outer garment worn by Jewish men. Translate this word as you did in 22:20c.

22:23b

tossing dust into the air: The word tossing means “throwing.” For example:

threw dust into the air (Revised Standard Version)

General Comment on 22:23a–b

By throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the crowd indicated that they were upset, angry, or disgusted by what Paul said. In some languages a literal translation would have the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

These actions indicate that the crowd was upset, angry, or disgusted at what Paul said.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 23:4

Paragraph 23:4–5

23:4a–b

How dare you insult the high priest of God!: In Greek this is a rhetorical question. It is more literally “Do you insult the high priest of God?” The men used this rhetorical question to rebuke Paul. This is why the Berean Standard Bible translates this as an emphatic rebuke. Translate it as a rebuke in your language. Some ways are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example,

Don’t you know you are insulting God’s high priest? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Is that the way to talk to God’s high priest? ⌊Of course not!⌋

• As a statement. For example:

You should not insult God’s high priest ⌊like that⌋!

• As a command. For example:

Do not insult God’s high priest ⌊like that⌋!

How dare you insult: This word in Greek is literally “you insult.” For example:

Are you insulting (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Berean Standard Bible adds the phrase How dare in order to help indicate a rebuke.

the high priest of God: The phrase of God indicates that the man speaking believed that God enabled and supported this high priest. It implies that when Paul insulted the high priest, he also insulted God.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 24:1

Section 24:1–27

Paul was on trial before Felix

In this section, Tertullus spoke for the Jewish leaders. He accused Paul before Governor Felix of being a troublemaker, of causing riots, of being a leader of a sect, and trying to harm the Jewish temple. Paul defended himself before Felix.

Felix adjourned the session, and promised to judge between Paul and the Jews when the Roman commander who had sent Paul arrived. But that promise was actually an excuse to do nothing. Instead, he hoped Paul would bribe him to allow him to leave prison. But Paul did not.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul is Accused in the Court of Felix (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Felix listened to Paul ⌊defend himself⌋ ⌊in court⌋
-or-
Paul before Felix (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
The Jews accused Paul before ⌊Governor⌋ Felix, and Paul defended himself

Paragraph 24:1–4

24:1a–b

the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus: In the Greek here, the high priest alone is the subject of the verb came down, even though there were others who traveled with him. This is probably because the high priest was a much more important person than the others named here. He probably was the leader of this group. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the high priest Ananias took/brought some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus and went down to Caesarea
-or-
the high priest Ananias, along with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, went down to Caesarea

the high priest: This phrase refers to the priest who was the leader of all the Jewish priests. Other ways to translate this word are:

the leader of the priests
-or-
the priest who was the leader of all ⌊Jewish⌋ priests

See how you translated this phrase in 4:6 or 22:5.

24:1a

came down: Some English versions add a phrase such as “to Caesarea” (or “to the city of Caesarea”) to make it clear where the high priest went with the others. Verse 23:33 indicates that the governor was in Caesarea and they went to him there. In some languages, with the new chapter here, it is more clear to say to where or to whom they went. For example:

went down to Caesarea (New International Version)
-or-
went down to the city of Caesarea
-or-
went to the governor (Contemporary English Version)

came down: Jerusalem is up in the mountains at about 760 meters (2,500 feet) in elevation, and Caesarea is on the sea coast. It is a journey of about 120 kilometers (75 miles). So Luke used the Greek verb that refers to going down in elevation. In some languages it is more natural not to use the word down. For example:

went to Caesarea (Good News Translation)

23:33 already indicates that Paul arrived in Caesarea at that time. In some languages it is more natural to use “went” here. For example:

went down (New International Version)

24:1b

some elders: The word elders describes leaders in Jewish society who were not priests. They were the heads of important families. Here it probably describes elders who were members of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling Council. See how you translated this word in 23:14.

a lawyer named Tertullus: This phrase in Greek is literally “a lawyer a certain Tertullus.” The word “certain” probably indicates that Luke did not expect his readers to know who Tertullus was. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

a particular lawyer named Tertullus
-or-
the lawyer Tertullus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Tertullus, their lawyer

lawyer: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lawyer refers in general to someone who is trained to speak well. Here it refers to someone who knew Roman law and customs of the court and could speak in a way that could convince the judge that he is right. Other ways to translate this word are:

spokesman (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
advocate (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
attorney/barrister

24:1c

who presented to the governor their case against Paul: This clause indicates that the lawyer and the leaders briefly told what they accused Paul of doing. This was the first step in a Roman court. The governor was the judge.

After they told the governor what they accused Paul of doing, the governor would order someone to bring Paul. Then the lawyer would accuse Paul and explain his accusations (24:2–9), and Paul would defend himself (24:10–21). Some ways to express this are:

they reported to the governor what they thought Paul had done wrong
-or-
They reported to the governor their charges against Paul. (God’s Word)
-or-
they told the governor what crimes they accused Paul of doing
-or-
they told the governor about Paul’s alleged crimes

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 25:6

Paragraph 25:6–9

25:6a

After spending no more than eight or ten days with them:
This phrase in Greek is literally “having stayed not more than eight or ten days among them.” Festus spent at the most eight or ten days talking with the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. This phrase does not indicate that he lived in the same building with them or even shared meals with them, because the Jewish law forbade those things. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

When he had stayed among them not more than eight or ten days (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
He talked with them over the next eight or ten days at the most

25:6b

Festus went down to Caesarea: It is implied that the appropriate Jewish leaders went with him. In some languages, a literal translation would wrongly imply that the leaders did not go. If so, include the implied information in the clause. For example:

Festus went down to Caesarea, ⌊and some of the Jewish leaders went with him,⌋
-or-
he went down to Caesarea, ⌊and those Jewish leaders with the proper authority went with him,⌋

25:6c

he sat on the judgment seat: This clause in Greek is literally “having sat on the seat of judgment.” The “seat of judgment” refers to a special chair that the judge sat on when he was ready to judge cases. Other ways to translate this clause are:

he took his seat in court (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he took his place as judge (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Festus was seated on the judge’s seat (New Century Version)

25:6d

Paul be brought in: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

⌊someone⌋ bring Paul before him

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 26:11

26:11a

I frequently had them punished in the synagogues: This clause in Greek is literally “throughout all the synagogues often punishing them.” The word “often” probably indicates that Paul punished Christians on many occasions. This clause also describes what Paul was doing when he tried to force them to blaspheme (26:11b). Other ways to translate this clause are:

And I punished them often in all the synagogues (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
And as I punished them often in all the synagogues (New American Standard Bible)

punished: This word refers to causing someone to feel pain or suffering because of an evil deed that he has done. Paul believed that Jesus followers blasphemed God when they said that Jesus was the Christ and God’s Son. The punishment was either a beating with a stick or a whipping. Translate this word in a way that allows one or both of those kinds of punishment.

synagogues: Here the word “synagogue” refers to a building where Jews would teach and discuss religious matters. See how you translated this word in 9:20 or 24:12.

26:11b

and I tried to make them blaspheme: This clause in Greek is literally “I was forcing them to blaspheme.” The tense on the verb probably indicates doing this to many Christians.

There are two ways to interpret this clause:

(1) Paul was able to make Christians say something offensive to Jews and their view of God, like “Jesus is the Son of God.” This sense would be like Matthew 26:63–65.

(2) Paul tried to make Christians say something offensive about Jesus, like “Jesus is not the Christ.” For example:

and tried to make them speak against Jesus (New Century Version)

(Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

Some other English versions probably imply interpretation (2) when they add tried. Many scholars support it. But Paul, when he was a Pharisee,

(a) would have had the same thinking as the priests in Matthew 26:63–65, when they believed that Jesus blasphemed God when he agreed that he was God’s Son.

(b) The Greek connects punishing with blaspheming. But Paul would not have punished those who blasphemed Jesus, but rather would have let them go.

(c) If it is “tried to force,” it should be “tried to persecute” in 26:11c, because the Greek grammar on the two verbs are the same. But no English version or scholar supports that.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) for the above reasons. Some ways to translate are:

I forced them to blaspheme ⌊God⌋
-or-
I made them insult ⌊God⌋

But the believers blasphemed God only as Paul as a Pharisee thought they would, because they said that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of God. In many languages this would need to be explained:

• In your translation. For example:

I forced them to blaspheme ⌊God⌋ ⌊by saying that Jesus is his son⌋
-or-
I made them insult ⌊God⌋ ⌊by saying that Jesus is his son⌋

• In a footnote. An example footnote is:

Paul, as a Pharisee, would consider that believers saying that Jesus is God’s son insults God. But Christians believe that Jesus is God’s Son.

However, if the major language version follows interpretation (2), you may want to follow that. For example:

tried to make them blaspheme (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
to get them to curse Jesus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I used to try and force them to deny their Lord (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

26:11c

In my raging fury against them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as raging fury refers to extreme anger, perhaps even to the point where the person can no longer think properly. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in my obsession against them (New International Version)
-or-
my fury against them was so extreme that (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I was extremely angry toward them

I even went to foreign cities to persecute them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as persecute has several meanings:

(1) It means pursue here. For example:

I even pursued them into foreign cities (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) It means persecute here. For example:

I persecuted them even to foreign cities (Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, King James Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the Greek phrase that means “even as far as to” makes more sense with “pursue” than “persecute.”

Other ways to translate this clause according to interpretation (1) are:

I pursued them even to foreign cities (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I even chased after them into foreign cities

foreign cities: This refers to cities outside of Israel. Damascus (26:12a) was a foreign city to the Jews. Other ways to translate this word are:

cities of other countries/lands
-or-
cities outside of Israel

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 27:11

27:11a–b

the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship: This verse does not say what the centurion decided. In some languages it is necessary to say what he decided. For example:

followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship ⌊regarding sailing further with the prisoners⌋

was persuaded: The Greek word here refers to being persuaded by someone’s opinion about something. The centurion listened to what various people said and thought what the pilot and owner said was the best opinion. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

paid more attention to (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
followed the advice (New International Version)
-or-
listened more to (New Living Translation (2004))

the pilot and by the owner of the ship: At that time, the pilot steered the ship, but the owner was the highest authority over the ship.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 27:43

27:43a

the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as spare…life refers to bringing someone safely through a dangerous event. The centurion prevented the soldiers from killing Paul, but he was probably also thinking about getting Paul all the way to Rome. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the centurion was determined to bring Paul safely through (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the centurion wanted to keep Paul safe/alive

centurion: Translate this word as you did in 27:31.

27:43b

thwarted their plan: This refers to preventing the soldiers from doing as they had planned. He ordered them to not kill the prisoners. Other ways to translate this are:

and he did not let the soldiers do what they had planned (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
so he stopped them from doing this (Good News Translation)

27:43c

those who could swim: This refers to the prisoners and soldiers who could swim.

to jump overboard first: This refers to leaving the ship. Those that could swim would go first. For example:

to jump into the water first (New Century Version)

get to land: This implies that the swimmers would swim to land. For example:

swim ashore (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 28:31

28:31a–b

In Greek 28:31a–b continues the sentence from 28:30 and tells the reader more about what Paul did during those two years. Some ways to indicate that are:

• Follow the Greek grammar. For example:

preaching…and teaching… (Revised Standard Version)

• Start a new sentence and include a time phrase:

During that time he preached…and taught…

• Continue the sentence from 28:30 and use the conjunction “and.” For example:

and preached…and taught…

28:31a

Boldly: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Boldly refers to speaking in a clear and frank way, as well as being bold. This kind of person does not fear opposition and desires that the people understand him. He does not hide any part of the message from them. Other ways to translate this are:

with all openness (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
openly and unafraid
-or-
sincerely and boldly

freely: This indicates that no one tried to stop Paul from preaching and teaching. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

unhindered (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
with all…freedom (Good News Translation)
-or-
And no one tried to stop him. (New Living Translation (2004))

he proclaimed the kingdom of God: This refers to telling people about the kingdom of God. For example:

proclaiming the kingdom of God (New Jerusalem Bible)

proclaimed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as proclaimed refers to publicly announcing something. Here it may refer to speaking to people in his house (28:30). See how you translated this in 8:4 or 26:20.

the kingdom of God: This phrase usually refers to God’s activity of ruling his people and caring for them as their king. See how you translated this phrase in 1:3 or 28:23.

28:31b

taught about the Lord Jesus Christ: This refers to teaching that Jesus was the person whom God promised would save people. It would also include what he did and said while on earth.

the Lord Jesus Christ: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord means “master, one who has authority over others.” See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 26:15.

Christ: The word Christ is a title for Jesus. It means “the anointed one.” The Jews used it to refer to the special person God promised to send. See how you translated this word in 2:31 or 24:24.

General Comment on 28:31a–b

The phrase “Boldly and freely” occurs last in the Greek. Being the last phrase of this book, it emphasizes that Paul preached and taught about Jesus boldly and without hindrance. In some languages the natural place for emphasizing that phrase is the end of the sentence. For example:

proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance (New Revised Standard Version)

General Comment on 1:1–28:31b

This is the end of the book of Acts. In some languages an added sentence is used to indicate the end the book. For example:

This is the end.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021