sign

The Greek that is typically translated in English as “sign” is translated in Huehuetla Tepehua as “thing to be marveled at” (source: Larson 1889, p. 279) and in Mairasi as “big work” (source: Enggavoter 2004).

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Acts 4:16)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, translators typically select the inclusive form (members of the Council talking among themselves).

Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.

complete verse (Acts 4:16)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 4:16:

  • Uma: “they said: ‘What shall we do to those two? Because all the people in Yerusalem know that they are the ones who did that big surprising sign. Yet we also cannot deny it.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “‘What on-earth (ente’) shall we (incl.) do to these men?’ they said. ‘It is well-known here in Awrusalam that they have done a powerful work. And we (incl.) cannot deny this.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “‘What are we going to do with those people because it is really true that they have done a miracle, and it has become famous here in the town of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then they said, ‘Now what shall we do with those, because all the people here in Jerusalem know the amazing miracle that they did, and it is impossible for us to say it is not true.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “They were saying, ‘What would be good for us to do to these people? For it’s obvious to all the taga Jerusalem that they have been able to do a sign which is an amazing thing. Of course, we can’t say that it’s only a lie.” (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 4:16

The reference to these men must identify Peter and John. There is, of course, no implication that the accusation is brought against the man who was healed. It may, therefore, be necessary to say “What shall we do with these men, Peter and John?”

Since, however, these individuals were actually not asking anyone else for advice, it may be necessary to translate “They were asking one another.”

Inasmuch as the following direct discourse is not a question, or even an answer to the question, it may be necessary to introduce a further statement of speaking, for example, “There were saying to one another.” The Greek text has an introductory participle of “speaking.”

Extraordinary miracle (see also New English Bible “notable miracle”) is literally “a well-known (or notable) sign”; but it is clear that the Greek word traditionally translated “sign” (see 2.19) in the present context indicates a “miracle.” The phrase this extraordinary miracle may be rendered as “this great miracle” or “this marvelous thing.”

The passive construction in has been performed by them can, of course, be shifted into the active, for example, “Peter and John have done this great miracle.”

An expression for we cannot deny it can be “we cannot say it did not happen” or “we cannot say, They did not do it.”

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 4:16

4:16a

“What shall we do with these men?” they asked: The Greek words are literally “saying, ‘What should we do with these men?’” The word “saying” introduces some of the things they conferred/discussed (4:15b). For example, the Contemporary English Version omits this word to indicate the connection to 4:15b:

“What can we do with these men? (Contemporary English Version)

Some languages must use a “say” verb to introduce what was said. But the Berean Standard Bible placed the phrase they asked in the middle of the spoken words. Place it where it would be most natural in your language. For example:

They said, “What shall we do with these men? (New Century Version)

In this quote (4:16–17), the first sentence in the quote is a question, but the rest of the quote are statements. In some languages it is better to use “say” here rather than “ask.”

What shall we do with these men?: This is a rhetorical question. It expresses uncertainty and frustration. The members of the Sanhedrin were uncertain about what to do with Peter and John. They were also frustrated. They wanted to punish Peter and John but were afraid to, because punishing them would make the people of Jerusalem angry with them.

There are several ways to translate this meaning:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

What are we going to do with these men? (New International Version)
-or-
What shall we decide to do with these ⌊two⌋ men?

• As a statement. For example:

We have to decide what we are going to do with these men!

• Make the implied meaning explicit. For example:

⌊being frustrated,⌋ said, What shall we do with these men?
-or-
said ⌊in frustration⌋, “We have to decide what we are going to do with these men!

Some languages have ways of indicating frustration. If your language has such a way that can easily be expressed in writing, this would be a place where you could use it.

4:16b

In Greek, 4:16b starts with the conjunction that is usually translated as “for.” It introduces an explanation for why the leaders do not know what to do (4:16a). For example:

For (Revised Standard Version)

It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them: In Greek this clause is literally “for that a remarkable sign has happened through them is clear to all those who live in Jerusalem.” It indicates that everyone in Jerusalem knew about this sign. The words through them imply that God did the sign/miracle because Peter and John asked him to do so. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

for it is clear to all of the people living in Jerusalem that a remarkable sign has happened through those two
-or-
a remarkable sign has occurred through them and everyone living in Jerusalem knows about it

remarkable: The Greek word here refers to something worthy of paying attention to. For example:

outstanding (New International Version)
-or-
notable (Revised Standard Version)

miracle: In Greek this phrase is literally “sign.” Here it refers to a miracle that has a symbolic meaning. The healing of the lame man suggests that what Peter and John said about Jesus was true. Some languages can use “sign” with that meaning. Some languages must make explicit that it is a miracle. For example:

miraculous sign (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a sign which is an amazing thing
-or-
a miracle that is a sign

See how you translated the word “sign” in 2:19a.

them: The pronoun them refers here to Peter and John.

4:16c

we cannot deny it: This clause indicates that the leaders could not honestly tell anyone that the miracle had not happened. They also could not deny that Peter and John had done the miracle, because too many people knew what happened. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

we cannot say that it didn’t happen
-or-
we cannot say that it is only a lie

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