complete verse (Acts 19:36)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 19:36:

  • Uma: “No one denies that. That is why let’s be quiet for now, don’t let’s get carried away by the anger of our hearts.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “No one can deny concerning this. So just stop and do not do anything unless you have thought about it first.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “No one can say that this isn’t true, therefore that’s why it’s necessary that the heat of your breath be taken way and stop rioting.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “No one is able to say that this isn’t true, therefore let us (empathy particle) quiet-down not being-in-a-rush.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Really no-one can attribute lies to these things, therefore it’s necessary that you cause this anger of yours to cool off now. Don’t be too hasty.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

everyone (Japanese honorifics)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way to do this is through the usage of appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017 by either using -san or –sama with the latter being the more formal title.

In these verses, the Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “everyone” or similar in English is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as mina-san (皆さん), combining the word for “everyone” (nī) and the suffix title –san. This creates a higher sense of familiarity and equality than for instance the same term with the more respectful title –sama at young people (Japanese honorifics). (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Acts 19:36

Anything reckless may be rendered as “something without thinking” or even “something like mobs often do.”

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 19:36

19:36a–b

The Greek begins with a word that many English versions translate literally as “Therefore.” It introduces a conclusion of what the city clerk said in 19:35. The city clerk now told the crowd what they should do.

Since these things are undeniable, you ought to be calm: The word Since introduces the reason that the people should be quiet. For example:

Nobody can deny these things. So then, you must calm down (Good News Translation)

19:36a

these things are undeniable: This clause in Greek is literally “these (things) being undeniable.” The city clerk believed everyone would agree that the Ephesians guarded the temple and that the stone fell from heaven. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Nobody can contradict this (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Everybody knows/agrees that those things are true

19:36b

you ought to be calm: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as calm refers to being calm. It also refers to preventing oneself from doing something. Other ways to translate this clause are:

you must calm down (Good News Translation)
-or-
you must calm/restrain yourselves

ought to: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ought to is literally “must.”

not do anything rash: The word rash refers to doing something without first thinking about the consequences of the action. If someone killed or hurt Paul because of Demetrius’ words, that person would still be responsible for those actions. Other ways to translate this clause are:

not do anything reckless (Good News Translation)
-or-
do not do anything unless you have thought about it first

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