complete verse (Acts 12:21)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 12:21:

  • Uma: “So, on the day that was set, Herodes put on his clothes of kingship and sat on his seat of kingship, and spoke to the crowds.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “So-then, when the appointed day for Herod to speak to the people arrived, he wore his kingly robes and he sat on the chair where he ruled-as-king. Then he let-out/delivered his words/message to the people.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “On the day which King Herod had set they came before him. He was dressed in his garments of kinging, and he was sitting also on the seat that he used for ruling and he talked to them.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When the day that Herod had said arrived, he put-on the robe that kings use, and went to sit-down on his throne to address the many-people.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “When the day arrived for their reconciliation, Herodes dressed in the ornate clothing of a king and sat down on his seat of kingship to make a speech.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 12:21

According to the account of Josephus, the Jewish historian, the chosen day was a celebration in honor of the Emperor. Luke does not state what the occasion was, or who chose the day, though the context suggests that this was a special day appointed by Herod to hear the grievances of the people from Tyre and Sidon. The chosen day can be “on a special day” or “on a day that Herod had especially selected.”

Put on his royal robes may be equivalent to “put on special clothes fit for a king” or “put on clothes which he wore for special days.”

Sat on his throne, and made a speech to the people does not indicate the nature of the gathering. Some scholars, however, contend that this was a court scene (Barclay “took his seat on the bench in his court,” New American Bible “sat on the rostrum”). The throne may be “his special seat” or “his special chair.” On the other hand, it may refer to “the chair on which he sat when he pronounced judgment” or “the chair on which he sat when he ruled.”

To the people may be limited to the delegations from Tyre and Sidon, or else it may be enlarged to include the people of Caesarea as well; no definite decision can be made.

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 .