complete verse (Acts 17:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 17:9:

  • Uma: “Finally, Yason and the other believers in Yesus were fined, and then released.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then Jason and his companions were made-to-pay bail by the officials and then they were sent home.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And as for Jason and his companions, the officials caused them to pay a fine for their bodies and then they let them go.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “And they made-Jason and his fellow believers -post-bail, then they released-them.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Therefore, what those officials did was, they caused Jason and his companions to put down a large amount (of money), which would be returned provided Pablo-and-co did no more of that making trouble of theirs. When they had put down what was being caused to be given, Jason-and-co were sent home.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 17:9

The required amount of money to be released translates a technical term which refers to the security or money which was given to the city officials and which would have been forfeited by Jason had the offense been repeated. Although the subject of the verb made … pay is not explicit in Greek, the context makes it clear that the authorities are the subject.

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 .