Translation commentary on Acts 21:13

A difference in pronominal usage in Greek and English may be illustrated by the alternations in verse 12 and 13. In verse 12 Luke has in Greek the pronoun “him,” while in verse 13 the proper name “Paul.” To make this good English discourse structure, it is necessary to transform the pronoun “him” of verse 12 into “Paul,” and to change the proper name “Paul” into “he” in verse 13.

The word translated breaking is a very strong term. Originally it was used of a washwoman who pounded the clothes with a rock in order to try to make them come white again. Some translators press this last aspect of this verb to mean that Paul said they were making him “turn white” (that is, “pale”) from fear (see Jerusalem Bible and New English Bible “weaken my resolution” and Phillips “unnerving me”). However, it seems quite unlikely that this is what Paul meant; it appears much more natural to understand Paul to be saying that they were “breaking his heart” because of their sorrow over what would happen to him. Moreover, the conclusion reached by the Good News Translation is supported by Paul’s own answer: I am ready not only to be tied up in Jerusalem but even to die there for the sake of the Lord Jesus. For the sake of the Lord Jesus is literally “for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus,” but “name” is obviously only an idiomatic reference to the person.

It is usually impossible to translate literally breaking my heart. A far more usual expression would be “you are causing me to suffer so much,” “you are causing me great distress in my heart,” or “you are causing me very great disappointment.”

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 21:13

21:13a

It is clear from what Paul said here that at least some people were weeping as they pleaded with Paul. In some languages it is more natural to refer to the people weeping in the translation before Paul talked about it. For example:

⌊Some of us were weeping.⌋ Then Paul answered…

Why are you weeping and breaking my heart?: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Why are you is literally “What are you doing.” This question is a rhetorical question. It means “Stop weeping and breaking my heart.” It may be a loving rebuke. Translate this clause with that meaning. Some ways are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Why are you crying and making me so sad? (New Century Version)

• As a statement. For example:

You are weeping and breaking my heart!

• As a command. For example:

Stop weeping and breaking my heart!

breaking my heart: This idiom probably means “to cause me to grieve.” It probably means the same as the English idiom “to break my heart.” Some languages use a different organ or place in the body when referring to emotions like grief. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

making me so sad (New Century Version)
-or-
My liver is really grieved by you.

21:13b–c

I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus: In English the phrases not only and but also are used to emphasize the second clause (to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus). For example:

I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I am prepared to be-tied and even to die in Jerusalem for the Lord Jesus.
-or-
I am ready to be bound in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. But even more than that, I am also ready to die there for his name!

21:13b

The Greek conjunction often translated as “for” introduces this verse. It introduces the reason why Paul said what he did in 21:13a.

to be bound: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

for ⌊others⌋ to bind me

bound: The Greek word here means both “tied” and “put in prison.” Paul probably implied both meanings. The meaning “tied” refers to putting chains around the wrists or legs so that the person cannot escape (as in 21:33). He did not know whether one or both would occur.

Some languages have one word that has both meanings. Other languages must indicate both meanings with more than one word. For example:

bound or imprisoned

21:13c

to die…for the name of the Lord Jesus: This phrase indicates that someone may kill Paul because Paul believed in Jesus and was doing what Jesus wanted. In some languages a literal translation would not imply being killed for that reason. If that is true in your language, translate the implied meaning. For example:

for ⌊others/someone⌋ to kill me for the name of the Lord Jesus

for the name of the Lord Jesus: This phrase indicates that Paul’s death would honor Jesus, help spread the gospel, or in some way benefit Jesus. Other ways to translate this are:

for the sake of the Lord Jesus (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
for the Lord Jesus (New Century Version)

Lord: This word means “the one in authority over others” or “master.” Jesus rules over all things. See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 20:19.

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