complete verse (Acts 15:34)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 15:34:

  • Uma: “But as for Silas, he said: ‘I will not-yet return to Yerusalem. I’ll stay here in Antiokhia for now.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “However, Silas did not go along, but he stayed there.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But as for Silas, he stayed behind at Antioquia.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 15:34

This verse was evidently not a part of the original text (it is omitted or placed in the margin by New English Bible, Jerusalem Bible, Moffatt, An American Translation*, Phillips, Barclay), and it has been placed in brackets by the Good News Translation. Apparently verse 34 was added by some scribe on the assumption that verse 40 makes it impossible to conclude that Paul went to Jerusalem to get Silas or sent a message for him to come to Antioch. However, this assumption is without foundation, and the addition of verse 34 contradicts the plain meaning of verse 33.

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 .