they would tear Paul to pieces

The Greek in Acts 23:16 that is translated as “they would tear Paul to pieces” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with sie könnten Paulus buchstäblich in Stücke reißen or “they could literally tear Paul to pieces.”

Paul's sister

The Greek that is translated as “Paul’s sister” in English is translated in [tin Nigerian Fulfulde as minyiraawo Bulus or “younger sibling of Paul.” “There is no evidence that this sister was younger than Paul, but if there is no natural way to say ‘sibling’ without specifying the age, this is probably acceptable.” (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

Paul

The term that is transliterated as “Paul” in English means “little.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In American Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies the many letters he wrote. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Paul” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign depicting putting away a sword, referring to his conversion from a persecutor of Christians to a Christian leader. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Paul (and Saul)” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that is based on contemporary depictions and refers to the presumed baldness of the top of his head. The description originates from the 2nd-century apocryphal text titled Acts of Paul and Thecla , which represents the earliest and most detailed physical characterization of the apostle in Christian tradition (see also the icon below). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Paul” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Paul,” the second part refers to “apostle” (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Following is a Georgian Orthodox icon of Paul the Apostle from the 14th century (located in the Art Museum of Georgia, Tbilisi).

Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

The following is a contemporary stained glass window from the Messiah Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Minnesota by Peter Dohmen. Individual glass pieces were made in Germany in accordance with Dohmen’s design, using a technique first developed by Irish monks in the 9th and 10th centuries.

Source for the image and description below: The Stained Glass Windows of Messiah Episcopal Church

“This window is dedicated to St. Paul, the great apostle and missionary, for whom our city is named. At the top of the window is a ship which symbolizes the many missionary journeys of Paul — the Church is our ship, which carries us over the way of life. In the lower section we see Paul on the road to Damascus when he saw a great light and heard our Lord’s voice, which called him to discipleship.”

Stained glass is not just highly decorative, it’s a medium which has been used to express important religious messages for centuries. Literacy was not widespread in the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Church used stained glass and other artworks to teach the central beliefs of Christianity. In Gothic churches, the windows were filled with extensive narrative scenes in stained glass — like huge and colorful picture storybooks — in which worshipers could ‘read’ the stories of Christ and the saints and learn what was required for their religious salvation. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum )

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Paul (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Paul .

complete verse (Acts 23:16)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 23:16:

  • Uma: “So, that plan of theirs was heard by Paulus’ nephew [or niece]. Off he went to the house of the soldiers, announcing their intentions to Paulus.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But Paul had a nephew, the son of his sister, he heard that Paul was about to be ambushed and killed. So he went into the fort to tell Paul about what he had heard.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And the child of the sister of Paul heard this that they were going to do, and he went to the fort and he told Paul.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But Pablo’s nephew who was the child of his female sibling, he came-to-know-about that-aforementioned agreement of the Jews, and he went to the barracks of the soldiers to go report-the-bad-news to him.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But, that speech of theirs, it was heard by the nephew of Pablo, the son of his sister. When he had heard, he went at once to that camp and related it to Pablo.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 23:16

The expression the son of Paul’s sister may be rendered in this specific form, or it may be adapted to the more natural expression in a particular receptor language—for example, “Paul’s nephew.” The Greek of this verse seems rather awkward, but the sense is clear. The word rendered plot is a different word from the word plan (v. 12) and planned (v. 13), though it is quite likely that all three of these terms are used synonymously.

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 23:16

Paragraph 23:16–18

23:16a–b

But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul: As a result of hearing of the plot, Paul’s nephew went to Paul to tell him. In some languages it is more natural to clearly indicate that connection. For example:

But the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot; so he went to the fort and told Paul. (Good News Translation)

the son of Paul’s sister: If your language has a specific word for “the son of a sister,” you should use it here.

Paul’s sister: It is not known whether Paul’s sister was older or younger than Paul.

plot: This word refers to the plans of the forty men in 23:12–15. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as plot here can also mean “secret attack.” The conspirators plan a secret attack. They would gather somewhere between the barracks and the meeting place of the Sanhedrin. They would act like normal people until Paul was near, then they would attack him. Both meanings are correct here.

23:16a

But: Some English versions see contrast here. Some languages would see contrast here between what the conspirators plan and what Paul’s nephew does. But some languages would not see contrast here. For example:

Now (Revised Standard Version)

(Here the word “Now” indicates a new part of the story and is not a time word.)

23:16b

he went into the barracks: The Greek words are literally “and having come and having entered into the barracks.” It implies that Paul’s nephew had to ask the guards at the door to allow him to enter the barracks. For example:

he went and gained entrance to the barracks (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
going to the barracks, obtained entry, (Revised English Bible)
-or-
he went to the barracks and ⌊the soldiers let⌋ him go in

The Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions are not concerned with this implied information and omit “and having entered” as redundant.

barracks: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as barracks means “a place where soldiers lived.” Here it refers to the stone fortress next to the temple. See how you translated this word in 23:10.

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