Aquila is further mentioned in verses 18, 19, and 26, as well as in Romans 16.3; 1 Corinthians 16.19; 2 Timothy 4.19.

Pontus was a Roman province which, along with Bithynia, formed a single administrative unit under the Roman government.

Just translates an adverb which originally meant “freshly killed,” but then had the derived meaning of “recently” (see New English Bible, Phillips).

His wife Priscilla is again mentioned in connection with Aquila in verses 18, 19, and 26. The “Prisca” of the Greek in Romans 16.3; 1 Corinthians 16.19; and 2 Timothy 4.19, each time mentioned in connection with “Aquila,” is undoubtedly the same person, since the form Priscilla is simply a diminutive of Prisca. Aquila is never mentioned alone. It is almost certain that the same pair is referred to in each case.

The order from Emperor Claudius for all the Jews to leave Rome was given about A.D. 49, but very little is known about the circumstances which provoked it. From indications outside the New Testament, it would seem as if there had been a squabble between Christian Jews and non-Christian Jews in Rome, and the trouble caused by their disagreements led to their banishment.

A verb such as ordered may require direct discourse in some languages—for example, “had ordered, All you Jews must leave Rome.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .