It is important that the conjunction but not be interpreted as being in contradiction to what has just been said. This is not an adversative “but.” Rather, it may be called a “diversionary” one, for example, “rather” or “on the other hand,” a transitional expression which shifts the focus of attention from a previous statement to something else which has other, and perhaps even more, significance.
You will be filled with power translates the Greek “you will receive power,” though the related expression in 2.4 is literally they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. The reference is to the miraculous power to be given to the disciples, by which they would be able to work miracles. The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and their being filled with the Holy Spirit are to be understood as simultaneous actions.
The passive expression will be filled (Greek “will receive”) is difficult in many languages. Accordingly, one must often employ an agent, namely, God, for example, “God will fill you” or “God will give to you.” However, be filled with power may require a somewhat different type of structure, such as “cause you to be powerful” or “cause you to be strong,” provided, of course, that this strength is not merely physical.
Where the term “power” or “strength” must have some complement, in order to avoid a wrong interpretation, it is often appropriate to use some such expression as “the power (or strength) to witness.”
You will be witnesses for me is not simply a statement of future fact, but it is given in the nature of a command. The Greek term usually translated as “witness” is found thirteen times in Acts, and the basic meaning is “one who testifies.” Only in 22.20 can it possibly be stretched to mean “martyr,” and even in that context the primary meaning is that of “one who gives testimony.”
The phrase witnesses for me must often be shifted to a verbal expression, for example, “tell people what you know about me.” The focus in “witness” is speaking from personal experience.
The locative expressions in Jerusalem, in all of Judea refer to places where people are, and this must be specified in some languages, for example, “tell about me to people in Jerusalem, in all Judea, …” And to the ends of the earth appears frequently in the Septuagint as a common phrase referring to distant lands; it is quite improbable that the expression must be understood as a specific reference to Rome. The phrase to the ends of the earth is variously expressed, for example, “to as far as there is land,” “far, far away,” or “to other countries.”
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 .
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