Paul in Damascus

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complete verse (Acts 22:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 22:9:

  • Uma: “As for my companions, they saw that shining as well, but they did not know what that speaker said to me earlier.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Na, my companions saw the light,’ said Paul, ‘but they did not understand what the voice was saying to me.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “As for my companions, they saw the brightness, but they did not hear anyone talking to me.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Now as for my traveling-companions, they saw what-flashed, but they didn’t hear what the speaker said.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “As for my companions, they saw that light, but they couldn’t distinguish the words being said to me.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 22:9

On this verse see 9.7. In the earlier account the companions of Paul all hear, though they did not see the light.

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 22.9

22:9a

My companions: This phrase in Greek phrase is literally “the ones being with me.” They were traveling with Paul. They were probably men. They may have been assisting Paul in his work, or they may have been strangers who happened to be traveling the same road at that time. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

those who were with me (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
The men with me (Good News Translation)

saw the light:
This refers to the light shining on Paul.

22:9b

could not understand the voice: The Greek words are literally “did not hear the voice.” But there is a difference in the Greek grammar from the words in 9:7. There are two ways to interpret the Greek words here:

(1) The Greek words here mean did not understand the words. For example:

did not understand the voice (English Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, NET Bible, English Standard Version)

(2) The Greek words here mean did not hear the voice. For example:

did not hear the voice (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) because of the different grammar here.

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