perplexed

The Greek that is translated as “perplexed” or similar in English is translated in Noongar is translated as dwangka-birgi or “ear-sore” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

In Elhomwe it is idiomatically translated as “to be silent.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also perplexed / puzzled, troubled / perplexed, or perplexed.

complete verse (Acts 25:20)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 25:20:

  • Uma: “So, I was confused about how to decide that case. That is why I asked Paulus, I said to him: ‘Do you (sing.) want to go to Yerusalem so that there your (sing.) case can be decided?'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “And because I was at a loss as to how I could investigate those things,’ Pestus said, ‘therefore I asked Paul if he was willing to go to Awrusalam to be judged there about those cases/problems of his.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And since I knew of no way to settle this, I asked Paul if he would like to go to Jerusalem so that I could investigate him there.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Since my experience is lacking in rendering-verdicts in complaints like that, I asked Pablo if he wanted his case to be tried in Jerusalem.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well, since I know nothing concerning those things, I asked him whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem for there is where this legal-hearing of theirs would be finished up.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Jerusalem

The name that is transliterated as “Jerusalem” in English is signed in French Sign Language with a sign that depicts worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:


“Jerusalem” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

While a similar sign is also used in British Sign Language, another, more neutral sign that combines the sign “J” and the signs for “place” is used as well. (Source: Anna Smith)


“Jerusalem” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jerusalem .

Translation commentary on Acts 25:20

I was undecided renders a verb that indicates Festus felt thoroughly confused about what to do. Both Phillips (“I did not feel qualified”) and the New English Bible (“finding myself out of my depth”) express this idea on a rather high level of language.

Get information on these matters may be rendered as “learn more about these matters” or “find out exactly what was involved in these matters.”

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 25:20

25:20a

I was at a loss: This clause refers to not knowing what to do. Festus was unsure about how to get the information he needed to judge this case. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I did not know (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I was unsure

I: The Greek pronoun here probably indicates emphasis. Festus now emphasized what he thought. For example:

I myself

But many English versions translate the Greek pronoun as Festus resuming talking about himself and do not translate this as emphasis.

as to how to investigate these matters: This phrase in Greek is literally “about the investigation of these things.” Festus did not know how to discover the facts he needed to make a good decision. He was familiar with discovering the facts whether or not someone committed a crime, but he was not familiar with discovering the facts for this religious dispute. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

how I could get information on these matters (Good News Translation)
-or-
how to find out the truth about all this (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
how to find out about these questions (New Century Version)

25:20b

he was willing: The word willing refers to wanting to do something. Here Festus asked Paul if he wanted the trial in Jerusalem. For example:

he wanted (English Standard Version)

25:20c

be tried there on these charges: This phrase refers to having a trial. First the accusers would speak, then the person would defend himself, then the judge would decide. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

stand trial there on these charges (New International Version)
-or-
be put on trial there (Contemporary English Version)

Festus did not say here who would be judge in Jerusalem here. If possible, do not say who would have judged Paul in Jerusalem. For example:

be judged there (New Century Version)
-or-
go to court with these accusations against you
-or-
have the trial there regarding these accusations

Scholars have two opinions about who would judge Paul in Jerusalem:

(1) Festus would judge Paul.

(2) Festus would allow the Jewish leaders to judge Paul as he watched.

In some languages, the person who judges must be stated in the translation. If so, follow interpretation (1), as that seems the most likely interpretation of “before me” in 25:9c. For example:

I would judge him on these accusations

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