inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Acts 1:17)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, translators typically select the exclusive form (excluding the attendees of the meeting who were not disciples).

In Huautla Mazatec, however, the translators selected the inclusive we.

Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.

complete verse (Acts 1:17)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 1:17:

  • Uma: “That Yudas, he was indeed our companion, and Yesus himself chose him as a disciple, the same as with us.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Judas ley was hep one of our (incl.) companions and he had also been commissioned by Isa to work like this our (incl.) work.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “As for Judas, he was our (incl.) companion apostle because that which the Lord gave us (incl.) to do was entrusted also to him,’ said Peter.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “but previously he was our (excl.) companion, because Jesus appointed him to serve-with us (excl.) apostles.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Really as for him, he was the twelfth of us (excl.) apostles, and he did indeed have his share of this which the Lord is causing to be done.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Isthmus Mixe: “Judas was our companion. He had this same work.'”
  • Desano: “Judas also was with us and worked with us.'”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “That fellow joined us and the work we were doing he was also doing.'”
  • Eastern Highland Otomi “The same work we did with Judas because Jesus chose Judas like he chose us.'” (Source for this and three above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

Translation commentary on Acts 1:17

The only serious problem in this verse is likely to be the causal expression which precedes in time the content of the first clause. In many languages the order must be changed, for example, “because Judas was chosen to work with us, he was a member of our group.” The Greek “he was numbered among us” simply means, as the Good News Translation has expressed it, Judas was a member of our group. An idiomatic way of rendering member of our group may be “he was with us,” “he associated with us,” or “he went around with us.” In some languages the most natural equivalent is “he was a friend to us,” in the sense of a close associate.

Even though had been chosen may mean “to receive something by the casting of lots,” it is doubtful if that meaning is to be found in this present context. The passive expression he had been chosen can be rendered as active, such as “Jesus had chosen him.”

Work of the Good News Translation is rendered by most translations “ministry”; the idea is that of the service or work which the apostle performs rather than the office which he holds. To have a part in our work is too general and abstract to be translated literally in some languages. Therefore, “to work together with us” or “to be one with us in working” may be more idiomatic and accurate.

Insofar as possible it is wise to employ for work a general term which can also include service to God. In some languages the connotative values of the term for “work” require that some more adequate expression be chosen. Therefore, some translators have used “in our working for God,” since this is a direct reference to Judas’ function as an apostle and not to his activity as a laborer.

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 1:17

1:17

This verse begins with the Greek conjunction that probably means “because.” Judas knew where Jesus was because he was one of the disciples. For example:

For (Revised Standard Version)

The conjunction could also be introducing the basis for saying that Scripture was fulfilled. Peter then tells the disciples which Scriptures in 1:20. Judas was counted as a disciple (but betrayed Jesus), so the Scripture in 1:20 applies to him.

The Berean Standard Bible and some English versions allow 1:16–17 to imply the meaning and do not translate this conjunction here.

He was one of our number: This clause indicates that Jesus chose Judas to be one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, like Peter and the others of the Twelve were. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he was numbered among us (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Judas was a member of our group (Good News Translation)

shared in this ministry: The Greek is literally “received a portion of this ministry.” It indicates that Jesus chose Judas to work along with the others. They did what Jesus or God told them to do. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

was allotted his share in this ministry (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
he had been chosen to have a part in our work (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊Jesus⌋ chose him to serve ⌊God⌋ with us

this ministry: Here the word ministry refers to helping others and teaching them about Jesus. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

our work (Good News Translation)
-or-
this ⌊religious⌋ service
-or-
our serving ⌊God⌋
-or-
served together with us (New Century Version)

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