SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 78

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)

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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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 5:38

5:38a

So: The Greek word here is usually translated as “and.” In 5:35b–37c Gamaliel gave two examples of what happened to groups with new ideas when their leader died. In 5:38b he gave his advice about the apostles as a group now that their leader (Jesus) has died. Consider what kind of connection is appropriate in your language. For example:

Therefore (New International Version)
-or-
And so (New Century Version)
-or-
So then

in the present case: This refers to the situation with the apostles. Here are some other ways to translate this:

in this case (Good News Translation)
-or-
about this situation

I advise you: The Greek is more literally “I say to you.” The words 5:38b are Gamaliel’s advice about what the Jewish leaders should do with the apostles. But the words of 5:38c–39b are his reasons for the advice he gave. For example:

I tell you (Revised Standard Version)

5:38b

Leave these men alone: The Greek is more literally “stay away from them.” Gamaliel told the leaders to avoid the apostles. Here are some other ways to translate this command:

keep away from these men (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Avoid these men

Let them go: Here Gamaliel told the Jewish leaders to allow the apostles to leave the meeting room of the Sanhedrin. Here is another way to translate that meaning:

Allow them to leave

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Let…go can also mean “move away from.” For example, the Good News Translation and some other English versions say:

Leave them alone (Good News Translation)

But this is close to the same meaning as “Leave these men alone,” as in the previous command. So Let them go is probably the right meaning here.

5:38c

For: This word introduces the reason why the Jewish leaders should leave the apostles alone and let them go (5:38b).

if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin: The Greek is more literally “if this purpose/plan or this work is from men/people.” Gamaliel spoke here of one possible situation in his opinion. He did not know if the purpose or activity of the apostles was of human origin.

purpose: This word refers to what someone intends to do. For example:

plan (Revised Standard Version)

endeavor: This word refers to what someone does. For example:

doing these things (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
activity (New International Version)

of human origin: The Greek is more literally “from men/people.” It indicates that people (not God, 5:39) thought or planned these things that the apostles were doing. Here are some other ways to translate this:

originates with people (NET Bible)
-or-
from human authority (New Century Version)

This phrase is in the front of the Greek clause to emphasize it. If possible, emphasize this phrase.

it will fail: The Greek is more literally “it will be overthrown.” The basic meaning is to throw something to the ground to ruin it. Here it indicates that someone or some people will make this plan result in nothing and he or they will make the apostles stop doing these things. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

it will be overthrown (New American Standard Bible)
-or-

⌊someone⌋ will overthrow/destroy it

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:14

15:14a–b

Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own: This refers to Peter’s speech (15:7–11) about talking to Cornelius and the other Gentiles with him.

15:14a

Simon: This name refers here to the apostle Peter. In some languages, you may want to:

• Indicate that it is Peter in a footnote. An example footnote is:

This is Peter’s Jewish name (Matthew 16:17–18).

• Use both names. For example:

Simon Peter (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Simon (who was also called Peter)

• Use his usual name. For example:

Peter (New Living Translation (2004))

You may then want to explain the literal name in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally “Simon/Simeon.” James called Peter by his Jewish name here.

how God…visited the Gentiles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as visited the Gentiles is often used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament to refer to God coming to visit people in a special way to help them. That is probably the meaning in this passage. God visited Gentiles in a special way when he brought salvation to Cornelius together with his relatives and friends (Acts 10).

Translate this with a word or phrase that refers to going to people or visiting them with the purpose of bringing help or mercy in a time of need. For example:

how God…came to help the Gentiles

Do not use a word for “visit” that refers only to a friendly or social visit.

first: This indicates that Cornelius became a believer early in the history of the church. But it may imply that this was the first time God specifically worked at bringing Gentiles into the church. Cornelius became a believer about ten or twelve years before the time James was speaking here. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

it first happened that (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the first time (New Century Version)

15:14b

to take from them a people to be His own: This is what God was concerned about: he wanted Gentiles to believe in Jesus. In that way they would become God’s people. For example:

how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name (New Revised Standard Version)

to take from them a people to be His own: This is what the Jews thought about themselves. They were God’s chosen people. Now James indicated that God began calling people from the Gentiles to believe in Jesus. They, together with Jewish believers, became God’s people in Jesus. For example:

made some of them his own people (Contemporary English Version)

to be His own: The Greek phrase is literally “for his name.” It indicates that the things the Gentile believers do will benefit God’s name. They will believe in him, honor him, serve him, and belong to him. These things will make God’s name greater. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

for his name (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
to benefit his name
-or-
to make his name even greater

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:5

16:5a

the churches were strengthened in the faith: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause here. For example:

⌊Paul and the others⌋ strengthened the churches in the faith
-or-

⌊Paul and the others⌋ encouraged the churches to believe ⌊in the Lord⌋ more completely
-or-
the churches ⌊in the various towns⌋ believed more ⌊in Jesus⌋

strengthened in the faith: This phrase refers to believing in Jesus more completely. The believers began following and obeying Jesus even more than before. See the examples above.

16:5b

grew daily in numbers: This phrase indicates that more and more people believed in Jesus. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

grew larger every day (New Century Version)
-or-
each day more people put their faith in the Lord (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:37

Paragraph 16:37–40

16:37a

the officers: The Greek word is literally “them.” Here it refers to the rod-holders of 16:35a. The pronoun “them” may clearly refer to the rod-holders in your language.

16:37b

They beat us publicly: The judges did not beat Paul and Silas personally but had the rod-holders do it. In some languages it is necessary or more natural to indicate that they ordered the beating. For example:

They had us beaten publicly
-or-
They ordered you(plur) to beat us in public

without a trial: The Roman law required a trial before punishing a Roman citizen. The magistrates did not check to see if Paul and Silas were Roman citizens before they ordered the rod-holders to beat them. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

without hearing the matter in court
-or-
without first having a proper court session
-or-
without first sitting as judges about the problem and hearing both sides

16:37c

even though we are Roman citizens: Roman law required judges to have a proper court trial before punishing Roman citizens. In some languages a literal translation would not clearly imply this. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the implied information in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Roman law required judges to have a proper court trial before punishing Roman citizens.

• Include the implied information in your translation. For example:

even though we are Roman citizens ⌊and have the right to a trial beforehand⌋
-or-
even though we are Roman citizens ⌊and deserved a judge to listen to our story before punishing us⌋

even though: These words indicate that it was true that Paul and the others were Roman citizens, and despite that being true, the leaders of Philippi had Paul and them beat without trial.

we are Roman citizens: The word citizens indicates that the Roman government considered Paul and Silas to belong to Rome. They had rights as Romans. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

we are Romans by right
-or-
we have Roman citizenship
-or-
we are legally people of Rome
-or-
we legally belong to Rome
-or-
our names are on the list of Roman people

General Comment on 16:37b–c

The phrase “even though we are Roman citizens” is emphasized in the Greek. If possible emphasize it in your translation. One way may be to move it before the other information in this sentence. For example:

Even though we are Roman citizens, they beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison.
-or-
We are Roman citizens. And yet they beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison.

16:37d

And now do they want to send us away secretly?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that Paul believes that the magistrates want Paul and Silas to go away quietly. Translate this clause with that meaning. Some ways are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

And now they want to send us away secretly? (Good News Translation)
-or-
And how is it that they want to get rid of us quietly?

• As a statement. For example:

Now they want to make us go away quietly. (New Century Version)
-or-
Now they think they can secretly send us away!

secretly: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as secretly refers to doing something without others knowing. For example:

quietly (New International Version)

16:37e

Absolutely not!: The Greek phrase here is two words that can be translated as: “No indeed!” For example:

Not at all! (Good News Translation)

Let them come themselves and escort us out: The Greek words are a command to the magistrates (them). They were not there. English does not have a command for “them” but uses the word Let instead. Many languages have a command for “them.” The Good News Translation uses “must” for the same meaning:

The Roman officials themselves must come here and let us out (Good News Translation)

escort us out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as escort…out refers to leading or bringing someone out of something. For example:

take us out (Revised Standard Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 17:29

Paragraph 17:29–31

17:29a

Therefore, being offspring of God: Here Paul restated what he said in 17:28b (“we are His offspring”) and used it as a basis for the conclusion he gave in 17:29b–c. The word Therefore introduces that conclusion. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Being then God’s offspring, (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Indeed we are God’s offspring, therefore
-or-
Since we are God’s children (Good News Translation)

17:29b–c

we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone: The gold, silver, or stone statues may be beautiful, or even awesome in an earthly, natural way. But God is not like that. He is an all-knowing, all-powerful spirit. He does not share the characteristics of gold, silver, or stone. Other ways to translate this clause are:

we ought not to imagine God in terms of gold or silver or stone (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
we should not suppose that his nature is anything like an image of gold or silver or stone (Good News Translation)
-or-
you must not think that God is like something that people imagine or make from gold, silver, or rock (New Century Version)

17:29b

the Divine Being: This phrase refers to the characteristics of being God. It refers to the kind of being he is and what he does. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

his nature (Good News Translation)
-or-
his being God
-or-
the kind of being that he/God is

17:29c

gold: Gold is a rare metal of a somewhat yellow color. It was the most expensive metal at that time. It is naturally shiny and beautiful. Below is a picture of a gold coin made in the Roman era of Caesar Augustus.

Some languages do not have a word for gold. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the common language word. If people in your language are not familiar with gold, you may want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Gold is a rare metal of a somewhat yellow color. It was the most expensive metal at that time. It is naturally shiny and beautiful.

• Use the word for something in your language that is valuable and beautiful. You may then want to explain the literal word in a footnote, using the common language word. An example footnote is:

Literally “gold.” Gold is a rare metal of a somewhat yellow color. It was the most expensive metal at that time. It is naturally shiny and beautiful.

silver: Silver is a somewhat rare metal of a gray color. It was less expensive than gold but more expensive than other metals at that time. It is shiny when polished.

Some languages do not have a word for silver. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Use the common language word. If people in your language are not familiar with silver, you may want to explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Silver is a somewhat rare metal of a gray color. It was less expensive than gold but more expensive than other metals at that time. It is shiny when polished.

• Use the word for something in your language that is somewhat valuable and beautiful. You may then want to explain the literal word in a footnote, using the common language word. An example footnote is:

Literally “silver.” Silver is a somewhat rare metal of a gray color. It was less expensive than gold but more expensive than other metals at that time. It is shiny when polished.

an image formed by man’s skill and imagination: This is the fourth thing that people should not think that the divine being is like. It also tells the reader more about the “gold or silver or stone” of 17:29c. Altogether the verse refers to images made of gold, silver, or stone. For example:

27b–cwe should not suppose that his nature is anything like an image of gold or silver or stone (Good News Translation)

image: This word refers to something that represents something else in appearance. Since people did not know what the gods looked like, they made statues, carvings, or pictures of men and women. Then they said that the images (the statues, carvings, or paintings) represented the gods. Other ways to translate this word are:

representation (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
statue
-or-
idol (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
looks like anything in gold, silver or stone that has been carved and designed by a man (New Jerusalem Bible)

formed by man’s skill and imagination: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

that people designed and skillfully formed

imagination: This word refers to people thinking and planning how to make something. Other ways to translate this word are:

design (New International Version)
-or-
thought (New American Standard Bible)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021