Asia

The Greek that is translated as “Asia” or similar in English is translated in German with Provinz Asia (or: “Asien”) or “province of Asia.”

complete verse (Acts 19:31)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 19:31:

  • Uma: “Thus also some noblemen of the province of Asia who befriended Paulus sent people to tell him not to go to the meeting-place.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Even the officials in that land Asiya who were his friends, sent word to him ngamey-ngamey (verbalized intensifier) telling him not to enter that large meeting house.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “There were also some friends of his who were officials of the province of Asia. They sent someone to Paul to beg him that he must not go into the gathering house.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “There were also rulers of the province who were Pablo’s friends who sent a person to go tell him, ‘Please we-beg-you don’t show-yourself (sing.) in the spectating-place of the people.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “And not only them, but on the contrary there were some of the officials of that province of Asia who, because their fellowship/friendship with Pablo was good, also told him not to. They sent some to go to him and tell him emphatically not to deliver his life/breath there to that trouble.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 19:31

The term which the Good News Translation has rendered provincial authorities translates an expression which refers to persons who were among the most outstanding individuals in the Roman province of Asia. The cities of Asia had formed a league, the main purpose of which was to foster the religion of the Roman Emperor and of the goddess Roma, and it was the duty of these men to encourage these functions. These provincial authorities were usually elected from the wealthiest and most influential families of the province, and there would certainly have been several of them in Ephesus at the time of Paul’s stay there. In Greek the verb sent has no object, but one must be supplied for the English reader.

To show himself in the theater may be equivalent to “to stand in front of the people in the theater” or “to try to speak to the people in the theater.” It is this public appearance of Paul which is specifically advised against by the provincial authorities.

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 19:31

19:31a

officials of the province of Asia: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as officials of the province refers specifically to leaders of the province of Asia. These leaders had authority over both religious and political matters. They were responsible to have the people honor Rome and the emperor. Men had to be wealthy and from the top class of society for people to elect them as these officials. Other ways to translate this Greek word are:

leaders ⌊of the province⌋ of Asia
-or-
provincial authorities (NET Bible)
-or-
high-ranking officials (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Some English versions use the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as officials of the province. They remove the Greek ending and put the English plural ending on it (“Asiarchs”). If you follow this practice, you may want to explain the meaning of the word in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The word “Asiarchs” refers to leaders of the province of Asia. These leaders had responsibility in both religious and political issues.

19:31b

It is not clear if these officials were at the theater or somewhere else. Perhaps they were not influenced by the excitement and so stayed home. So they also did not want Paul to go to the theater in fear of what the rioters might do to him.

sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre: In some languages the contents of the message must be in direct speech. For example:

sent him a message that said, “We urgently ask you not to venture into the theater.”

begging him: The word begging here refers to urgently asking. For example:

urging him (New Jerusalem Bible)

venture: This word in Greek is literally “give himself.” This phrase refers to going where there is danger. Other ways to translate this word are:

take the risk of going (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
risk his life by entering (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 19:31a–b

Paul did not go into the theater. In some languages this must be said in the translation for the correct meaning. For example:

Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. ⌊So he did not go.

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