SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021 – Page 8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 21:37

Section 21:37–22:21

Paul defended himself before the Jewish crowd

In this section, Paul spoke to the Roman commander using the Greek language. The commander was surprised that Paul knew Greek. He asked him if he was from Egypt and had earlier led a revolt. Paul replied that he was a Jew from Tarsus. He asked the commander to allow him to speak to the crowd. The commander allowed him to do that.

Paul spoke to the crowd using the Aramaic language. At this time the first language of the Jews was Aramaic. Paul told his history and training. He told how he used to persecute believers in Jesus. He described how he became a believer. He told the crowd that God sent him to tell the gospel to the Gentiles.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul Defends Himself (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Paul Speaks in His Own Defense (God’s Word)
-or-
Paul told the ⌊Jewish⌋ crowd about how he lived

Paragraph 21:37–39

21:37a

The context implies that the soldiers put Paul back on his feet here. In some languages it is better to indicate that in the translation. For example:

The soldiers ⌊put him down.⌋ As they were about to…
-or-
The soldiers ⌊put Paul back on his feet.⌋ As they were about to…

It is possible that the soldiers did not put Paul down until 21:40b (“Paul stood on the steps”). But this seems unlikely, because Paul felt safe enough from the mob to talk to the commander, so it was probably safe enough for the soldiers to put him down.

As they were about to take Paul into the barracks: This clause in Greek is literally “As he was about to be brought into the barracks.” It continues to focus on Paul here. For example:

As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks (Revised Standard Version)

However, the Greek clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the army building (New Century Version)

barracks: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as barracks means “a place where soldiers lived.” Here it refers to the stone fortress next to the temple. See how you translated this word in 21:34.

21:37b

he asked the commander: 21:37c indicates that Paul spoke Greek here. Some languages must indicate here that Paul spoke Greek here for the correct meaning. For example:

he asked the commander ⌊in Greek⌋

May I say something to you?: This clause in Greek is literally “If it is permitted for me to say something to you?” It is a polite request to speak with the commander. Other ways to translate this clause are:

If I am allowed to say something to you?
-or-
Would you allow me to say something to you?
-or-
I would like to say something to you. Will you permit me to?
-or-
There is something I would say to you please.

21:37c

“Do you speak Greek?” he replied: The Berean Standard Bible placed the phrase he replied after the spoken words. Place it where it would be most natural in your language. For example:

The officer replied, “Do you know Greek? (NET Bible)

Do you speak Greek?: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as speak is literally “know.” If Paul knew Greek, then he could speak it. For example:

Do you know Greek? (Revised Standard Version)

This is a rhetorical question. It means “Oh, you know Greek!” It implies that the commander was surprised that Paul knew Greek. Translate this clause with that meaning. Some ways are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

You speak Greek, do you? (Good News Translation)

• As a statement. For example:

So, you know Greek!

In some languages the idea of surprise must be indicated in the translation. For example:

⌊Surprised,⌋ he replied, “Do you know Greek?

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 22:30

Section 22:30–23:11

Paul spoke to the Jewish leaders

In this section, the Roman commander still did not know why the Jews wanted to kill Paul, so he arranged for Paul to stand before the Jewish ruling council so that their discussion could inform him. But the members of the Jewish ruling council considered this as an opportunity to judge Paul according to their laws.

The ruling Jews belonged to one of two religious groups: the Pharisees and Sadducees. One way they differed was that the Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, but the Sadducees did not believe in it.

Paul saw that they intended to judge him. So, he declared that he believed in the resurrection of the dead in order to start them arguing. And indeed, the Pharisees and Sadducees began to argue with one another. These two groups argued so violently that the commander thought that it was dangerous for Paul to remain there. So he ordered soldiers to rescue Paul and bring him back to the barracks.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul before the Council (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Before the Sanhedrin (New International Version)
-or-
Paul caused the Jewish leaders to argue

Paragraph 22:30

22:30a

The next day: This phrase refers to the day after the one mentioned in 22:24. It goes with 22:30b. For example:

30aSince the commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the next day 30bhe released him…

the commander: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as commander means “leader of one thousand soldiers.” This kind of officer commanded six hundred to a thousand soldiers in the Roman army. See how you translated this word in 21:31 or 22:24.

the real reason: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the real reason is literally “something definite.” It refers to a reason that the commander could be reasonably certain was correct. At this time the commander did not know why the Jews were so angry with Paul. Other ways to translate this word are:

exactly (New International Version)
-or-
for sure (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
really

Paul was accused by the Jews: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the Jews were accusing Paul

22:30b

released him: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as released:

(1) It means allowed to leave prison. The commander had kept Paul in prison overnight to protect him from the angry Jews outside. For example:

he freed Paul (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

(2) It means removed his chains. For example:

he had Paul’s chains taken off (Good News Translation)

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version, New Century Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the commander would not insult Paul by leaving chains on him after he discovered that Paul was a Roman citizen. Other ways to translate this clause according to interpretation (1) are:

released ⌊from prison⌋
-or-
allowed to leave ⌊prison⌋

22:30c

the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin: The chief priests were part of the Sanhedrin. For example:

the chief priests and the rest of the Sanhedrin

chief priests: This phrase refers to the priests who were leaders of the other Jewish priests. Other ways to translate this word are:

the leader of the priests
-or-
the priests who led of all ⌊of the other Jewish⌋ priests

See how you translated this phrase in 4:6 or 9:21.

Sanhedrin: The word Sanhedrin is a Greek word that means “council.” Here it refers to the group of Jewish men with the highest authority over their people. They made laws and decided court cases. Some ways to translate Sanhedrin are:

council (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Jewish council (New Century Version)
-or-
Jewish high council (New Living Translation (2004))

See how you translated this word in 4:15 or 6:12.

to assemble: The Jewish council probably met in their usual meeting place. They would not have met in a Roman house.

22:30d

he brought Paul down: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brought…down indicates a downward direction. It was downhill from the barracks to the building where the Sanhedrin met. In some languages it is important to indicate that direction as the Berean Standard Bible has done. But in some languages the direction down is not important here.

stand before them: This clause indicates that Paul would speak to the Sanhedrin. The commander did not intend for the Sanhedrin to judge Paul.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 23:32

23:32

they returned: This refers to the two hundred soldiers, the two hundred spearmen and in particular the two centurions (23:23). 23:31 refers to them generally as soldiers. The centurions would have been in charge of all the soldiers, including the horse soldiers.

The verb translated as returned can mean “to turn back.” The word indicates that they began traveling back to Jerusalem, and not that they arrived back at the barracks on the same day.

let the horsemen go on: There are two ways to interpret the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as let:

(1) It means leave here. The commander ordered only the horsemen to take Paul from Antipatris to Caesarea. So the soldiers and spearmen separated from the horse soldiers at Antipatris. For example:

left the horsemen to go on (Good News Translation)

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, Revised English Bible, King James Version)

(2) It means allow here. The centurions permitted the horse soldiers to continue. For example:

let the horsemen go on (New Revised Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the commander probably told them what to do at Antipatris rather than allowing the centurions to decide. But interpretation (2) is also possible.

horsemen: The word horsemen refers to soldiers who ride on horses. See how you translated this word in 23:23.

go on: This phrase indicates that the cavalry and Paul would continue traveling to Caesarea.

The journey from Antipatris to Caesarea is about 52 kilometers (32 miles) in a generally northerly direction. The journey also was along the plains near sea level. It would take anywhere between four and twelve hours to travel that distance, depending on how fast they made the horses go.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 25:2

25:2a

where: The Greek word is literally “and.” It introduces the meeting of Festus and the Jewish leaders. For example:

And (Revised Standard Version)

But many English versions do not translate this Greek conjunction and allow the context to indicate the connection.

the chief priests: This phrase refers to the priests who were leaders of other priests and religious leaders of Israel. See how you translated this phrase in 4:23 or 22:30.

Jewish leaders: This phrase in Greek is literally “the first ones of the Jews.” The word “first” refers to the people who were most important among the Jews, namely the leaders and other men who had status and power. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the principal men of the Jews (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the most prominent men of the Jews (NET Bible)
-or-
the other important Jewish leaders (God’s Word)

presented their case against Paul: The Greek words are literally “explained to him against Paul.” For example:

informed him of the case against Paul (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Jewish leaders told Festus about the accusations they had against Paul. They were probably the same accusations that they told Felix (24:5–6). Paul was not there, because he was in Caesarea. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

laid out their case against Paul (English Standard Version)
-or-
told him about their charges against Paul
-or-
told him what they accused Paul about

25:2b

They urged Festus: This clause appears at the end of 25:2 in the UBS4 Greek. Since it is the main verb for 25:3, some English versions put this clause in 25:3a. If possible, put this clause in 25:2b as the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions have done. For example:

2b…they urged him, 3asking as a favor… (Revised Standard Version)

But if the common language version puts this clause in 25:3a, you can follow that.

They urged: The Jewish leaders probably wanted Festus to agree with them before he left Jerusalem, so he could send for Paul immediately. Festus was the leader whom Caesar had placed as leader to rule the Jews. Paul was under Festus’ control, so they had to try to convince him to agree. They could not demand anything from him. Translate in a way that shows that the Jewish leaders respected Festus properly.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 26:7

26:7a

the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to realize: Paul was still speaking of the promise he mentioned in 26:6. This clause indicates that the Jews still hoped that God will resurrect the righteous people. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to realize is literally “reach the goal.” The goal was God resurrecting them. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the very thing that the twelve tribes of our people hope to receive (Good News Translation)
-or-
the promise that our twelve tribes…hope to attain (New Jerusalem Bible)

our twelve tribes: The twelve sons of Israel became the founders of the twelve clans or tribes of Israel. Therefore this phrase refers to all of Israel. The nation of Israel refers to the Jews. Paul belonged to one of these clans/tribes and therefore to Israel. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

our twelve clans ⌊of Israel⌋
-or-
all of us Jews

26:7b

as they earnestly serve God day and night: This clause refers to what the Jews do while they wait for God to send the Christ. The word serve refers to doing what God told them to do. This would include things like worshiping him, praying to him, offering sacrifices, teaching others about him, and helping others. Other ways to translate this clause are:

as they earnestly fulfill all their religious duties to God night and day
-or-
as they earnestly do night and day all the things God told them to do

earnestly: This word refers to continuing to do something eagerly. Other ways to translate this word are:

zealously (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
with intense devotion (God’s Word)

day and night: This phrase indicates that various Jews serve God at various times so that altogether someone is serving God at all times.

26:7c

It is because of this hope…that I am accused by the Jews: This clause in Greek is literally “about which hope I am being accused by Jews.” It refers back to the hope that Paul mentioned in 26:7a. The Jews hoped that God would resurrect the righteous people. But the Jewish leaders, at least the Sadducees, accused Paul of wrongdoing because he believed in God resurrecting people (and perhaps because he said that the hope came true in Jesus). Other ways to translate this clause are:

for this hope I am accused by Jews (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they accuse me for having this hope (New Living Translation (2004))

O king: Paul used the title king instead of his name to show respect.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 27:7

27:7a

After sailing slowly: The ship’s captain wanted to go west and a little north. But the wind was probably from that same direction. To sail a boat towards the wind, the sailors would change the angle of the sails and sail far to the left of the direction of the wind. In that way the ship can catch the wind to move forward. Then they would change the angle of the sails and sail far to the right. The ship would slowly gain distance in the desired direction (see diagram below). Therefore progress in the desired direction would be made slowly. Other ways to translate this clause are:

We made forward progress slowly
-or-
We moved slowly in the desired direction

many days: With a wind from a helpful direction, the trip would only take two days. But with a headwind, the trip could take five days, ten days, or more. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

numerous days
-or-
a lot of days

27:7b

we arrived off Cnidus: In Greek this phrase could be literally translated as “with difficulty, we having arrived off Cnidus.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate the Greek word in this clause which means “with difficulty,” probably because it translates the Greek word in 27a which means “sailing slowly” and therefore is letting the translation of that Greek word imply that the sailing was accomplished “with difficulty.” Do what is most natural in your language.

The headwind made it hard for them to sail in the direction they wanted to. For example:

with great difficulty finally arrived off the town of Cnidus (Good News Translation)

arrived off Cnidus: Here the word off refers to coming near to Cnidus. The ship did not go all the way to Cnidus.

coming near Cnidus
-or-
not quite arriving at Cnidus

Cnidus: This name refers to a city. The English letters “cn” are from the Greek “kn.” Both letters were probably pronounced. In some languages, a vowel must be placed between these letters to pronounce both letters. For example:

Cenidus/Kenidus

It was probably a medium-sized city at that time. In many languages people are not familiar with this name. If so, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

⌊the city of⌋ Cnidus

• Explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Cnidus was a city.

Do not use a word that refers only to large, modern cities of today.

27:7c

When the wind impeded us: They could no longer sail to the west. Perhaps the wind grew stronger so that they no longer made any progress in the direction that they desired to go. So they had to change direction.

27:7d

we sailed to the lee of Crete: Here the word lee refers to east and south of Crete. It is the large island in lower left of the photo above.

Crete: Crete is a large island west of Cyprus. It is about 260 kilometers (160 miles) east to west.

opposite Salmone: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as opposite means “off” (“near”) as in 27:7b.

Salmone: In the Greek language the “e” was probably pronounced, unlike the usual pronunciation in English. For example, the Madak NT says:

Salmoni (Madak NT)

This name refers to a point of land jutting from the island into the sea. It is on the eastern shore of Crete. In many languages people are not familiar with this name. If so, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

⌊point/cape⌋ Salmone

• Explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Salmone was the name for a point/cape on the eastern shore of Crete.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 27:39

Paragraph 27:39–41

27:39a

When daylight came: This clause in Greek is literally “When it became day.” This probably includes the increasing light before dawn. Other ways to translate this clause are:

when it was day (English Standard Version)
-or-
In the morning (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
When morning dawned (New Living Translation (2004))

they did not recognize the land: The Greek tense probably indicates that the people on the ship tried to recognize the land as daylight increased, but finally decided they did not know which coastline it was. For example:

they tried to recognize the land but could not
-or-
they tried to recognize the land but finally decided they did not know it
-or-
they could not recognize the land (New American Standard Bible)

Many English versions focus only on the final decision. For example:

they saw land but did not know what land it was

27:39b

they sighted a bay with a sandy beach: The Greek tense on the verb probably indicates that the people slowly were able to see the bay as daylight increased. For example:

eventually/finally saw a bay with a sandy beach

bay: A bay is a place where the coastline goes inward from the sea. So the land to either side of the bay can protect it from waves.

a sandy beach: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a sandy beach refers to land at the edge of a lake or ocean that slopes gently down into the water. The sailors could probably see that the shore was sandy and not rocky. In some languages the word beach already implies sand rather than rocks. For example:

a beach

27:39c

where they decided to run the ship aground if they could: This clause tells the reader more about the sandy beach. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Luke was thinking of other sandy beaches and they decided to run the ship aground only on this one. If that is true in your language, translate this information in a way that tells more about the sandy beach. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

They decided to run the ship aground on it if they could.

run the ship aground: This refers to sailing the ship so that it came onto the ground in shallow water. The verb indicates force. They wanted the speed of the ship to cause it to slide as far as possible after touching bottom. They hoped that the shallow water was near shore so the people would not have to swim far. Other ways to translate this are:

drive the ship onto it (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
bring the ship ashore (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
beach the ship (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

if they could: They did not know where they were, so they did not know if there were sandbars, rocks, or reefs just under the water between them and the shore. For example:

if possible (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 28:27

28:27a–f

The pronoun changes from “you” in 28:26 to “they” in 28:27, because in 28:26 God commanded Isaiah to say those words to the Jewish people but in 28:27 God talked about them.

28:27a

The command to speak ended at 28:26c. Now God described the people. In some languages, it is more natural to indicate clearly the change from command to description. For example:

⌊The Holy Spirit continued⌋
-or-

⌊The Holy Spirit said further⌋

For: This conjunction introduces the reason for the people not understanding what they see and hear. For example:

because (Good News Translation)

If it is not natural in your language to start a sentence with For, you may want to:

• Continue the sentence from 28:26 as the Good News Translation does.

• Add a statement that refers to 28:26 in a general way. For example:

⌊These things are true⌋ because
-or-

⌊They are like that⌋ because

• Allow the context to imply the connection and do not translate the conjunction.

this people’s heart has grown callous: This clause is a metaphor. Their heart being callous indicates that they were slow to learn or did not want to understand. They were that way because they were unwilling to believe what God told them. Here is another way to translate this:

For the hearts of these people are hardened (New Living Translation (2004))

In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If so, you may want to translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

the heart of this people has become dull (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
the heart of this people has become closed
-or-
these people have become stubborn (New Century Version)
-or-
this people’s minds are dull (Good News Translation)

this people’s heart: The word heart refers figuratively to the center and source of inner life, so the word refers to thinking, feeling, and the will.

In some languages a literal translation would not refer to this inner life. If that is true in your language, you may want to use the word or phrase that has the right meaning. For example:

this people’s insides
-or-
this people
-or-
this people’s minds and will

28:27b

they hardly hear with their ears: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hardly hear means “hear with difficulty.” Here the Greek phrase indicates that they refuse to listen. It does not indicate that they are partly deaf. Other ways to translate this clause are:

they refuse to listen
-or-
they have plugged/covered their ears

The phrase with their ears is already included in the meaning of the verb hear. In some languages it may be more natural not to translate the phrase with their ears (as in the first example above).

28:27c

they have closed their eyes: This clause indicates that they refused to see or understand. Other ways to translate this clause are:

they refuse to see
-or-
they have closed their eyes ⌊to the truth⌋
-or-
they have closed their eyes ⌊to what is true⌋

28:27d–f

Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them: The Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translates as Otherwise expresses negative purpose: “in order not to.” It indicates that the deeds in 28:27a–c were done in order to have the things in 28:27d–f not happen. These people did not want to see, hear, understand or repent. Some examples are:

to avoid using their eyes to see… (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

so that they might not look with their eyes… (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-

in order to not look…

28:27d

see with their eyes: The verb see refers to more than just physical seeing, it also refers to understanding here.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to physical seeing. If so, you may want to make the meaning of understanding clear. Some examples are:

see ⌊and understand⌋
-or-
perceive with their eyes (Revised Standard Version)

The phrase with their eyes is already included in the meaning of the verb see. In some languages it is more natural not to translate the phrase with their eyes (as in the first example above).

hear with their ears: The phrase with their ears is already included in the meaning of the verb hear. In some languages it is more natural not to translate the phrase with their ears.

28:27e

understand with their hearts: In Greek culture, the “heart” was the center and source of inner life, so the word refers to thinking, feeling, and the will. So the phrase understand with their hearts refers to truly understanding something. Some examples are:

their mind understand (Revised English Bible)
-or-
truly understand
-or-
understand completely/deeply

The things to be understood are not stated. Here Paul probably used this message from God to refer to Jesus being the savior. In some languages an object for the verb understand is needed. If so, two examples are:

understand with their hearts ⌊what I do and say⌋
-or-
understand with their hearts ⌊what I am doing in front of them⌋

turn: This verb refers figuratively to repenting. Use a term for repenting that is natural in your language. Some examples are:

repent
-or-
turn to me (Good News Translation)
-or-
changing their ways (New Jerusalem Bible)

General Comment on 28:27a–e

In 28:27a–c, the order is heart, ears, eyes. In 28:27d–e, the order is eyes, ears, heart. This is a Hebrew (and Greek) poetic structure. In some languages it is more natural to use the same order in both places. For example:

For this people’s heart has become callused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might understand with their hearts, hear with their ears, see with their eyes and turn, and I would heal them.

28:27f

I would heal them: This clause refers figuratively to God forgiving their sins and changing them from sinning to following Him. This clause also had not actually happened, similar to 13:15d–e. They had not repented, so God had not healed them.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to healing sicknesses. If so, you may want to:

• Include some implied information. For example:

I would heal them ⌊spiritually⌋
-or-
I would heal their ⌊evil ways⌋
-or-
I would save them ⌊from sinning⌋

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

I would forgive them and change how they think

General Comment on 28:26a–27f

28:26a–27f is a quote from Isaiah 6:9–10. If you footnote the location of quotes from the Old Testament, you may want to do so here.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2021