My brothers translates the expression “men brothers.” Since in this phrase the word “men” is used in a general sense and does not exclude women, it is best left untranslated (see also fellow Jews, literally “men Jews,” 2.14; men of Israel, literally “men Israelites,” 2.22; and brothers, literally “men brothers,” 2.29).
An expression such as my brothers may cause considerable difficulty in languages in which a term for “brother” is not generalized. In these instances one can often generalize a term for “relative, kinsman,” or “companion.” This must, of course, be a term which can include women.
The scripture refers to a passage or a text of Scripture rather than to the entire Old Testament.
Had to (literally “it was necessary” or “it had to be”) is used here, as in many other passages of the New Testament, to denote something necessary in the purpose of God. The tense of the verb indicates that this necessity had already been accomplished at the time that Peter speaks, that is, it was brought about by the actions of Judas.
In order to specify that the scripture consisted of some passages of the Old Testament, one can often use a term such as “holy writings” or “writings of God” without, of course, implying that God himself actually wrote the documents.
Come true (see also New English Bible and Phillips) is rendered by most translations as “be fulfilled.” The root idea of the verb is that of filling something, but it is here used in the extended sense of “give full meaning to” or “make come true.” The primary meanings of the Scripture passages to which Peter has reference (see v. 20 below) are to be found in their original Old Testament setting. But because the character and actions of Judas are similar to those reflected in these passages from the Psalms, Peter can say that these Scriptures apply to Judas. This is quite typical of the manner in which the first Christians interpreted the Old Testament; they read it in light of the things which had taken place in connection with the life and ministry of Jesus.
What is really difficult about this verse is the association of ideas in an order which is not easy to communicate in other languages. At the same time, one should attempt to preserve the focus of concern, namely, the fact that Scriptures had to come true. This can often be done by introducing first a general statement, to be followed by an explanation which provides the remaining data in a more extended form. For example, the first clause can be rendered as “what is written in the holy Scriptures had to happen” or “it was necessary that the words in the Scriptures should prove to be true.” Then one can refer to the contents of the rest of the verse in such a manner as to preserve as much as possible of the historical order, for example, “The Holy Spirit caused David to speak about Judas. He told ahead of time what Judas would do, this Judas who guided the men who came to arrest Jesus.”
The secondary agent, that is, speaking through David, is often best reproduced as a causative statement, for example, “caused David to speak.”
Predicted is merely “said in advance what was going to happen” or “what Judas would do.”
A term for guide is normally quite easy, for example, “man who showed the way to” or “person who guided the men to Jesus.”
Arrested refers to a rather formal procedure, relatively well-known in most societies. But if there is no definite expression for “arrest,” one can always use “tied him up and led him away.”
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 .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.