inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Acts 4:17)

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 4:17)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 4:17:

  • Uma: “But so that not all the people hear their teaching, it is better that we threaten/scare them and forbid them, so they no longer continue to teach anyone mentioning Yesus.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But,’ they said, ‘in order that this will not become any further known, let us (incl.) instruct them that they should not speak to anyone about Isa.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Let’s tell them that they must no longer teach the believing in the name of Jesus to anybody so that this, their teaching, may not spread to the people.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Let’s threaten them so they do not repeat to say the name of Jesus when they are talking to the many-people, lest others increasingly find-out-about-it.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Of course we don’t want the number to increase very much of those who will know this, therefore what would be good is, we will tell them strictly not to teach anyone any more concerning that Jesus.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Lalana Chinantec: “But there is great danger of the word of Jesus spreading. We’ll tell those people that never again should they speak about Jesus. ‘We’ll just see what will happen,’ we will say, ‘if you continue to speak with people about Jesus.’ That’s the agreement that the people who judge reached.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

Translation commentary on Acts 4:17

Since the contents of verse 17 contrast abruptly with the contents of verse 16, a conjunction such as but, “on the other hand,” or “on the contrary” may be useful.

In a number of languages the purpose of an activity always follows that event. In such cases, it would mean that the first clause in verse 17 (in the Good News Translation) must be placed at the end of the verse.

In many languages one cannot speak of a matter spreading. Rather, can must say “in order that more people will not hear about it.”

The equivalent of a hortatory such as let us warn is in many languages an obligatory mode, for example, “we must warn” or “it is necessary that we warn.” There is, of course, nothing permissive in the use of the form let in English.

The last part of verse 17 must frequently be expressed as direct discourse, “we must warn them, You must never again speak to anyone using the name of Jesus.” (See also 4.21.)

In the name of Jesus is literally “upon (the basis of) this name.” The name referred to is that of Jesus, and the Greek preposition “upon (the basis of)” is equivalent in meaning to “in.”

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 4:17

4:17a

But: There is contrast between the leaders not being able to deny the miracle (4:16c) and warning Peter and John to stop speaking about Jesus (4:17b).

Some languages would not see that connection as contrast. If that is true in your language, omit this conjunction or use a natural connection here.

to keep this message from spreading any further among the people: This phrase in Greek is literally “in order that it may not be spread further.”

The Greek clause is passive. Some languages must translate it as an active clause. For example:

in order that it may spread no further (Revised Standard Version)

Here “it” refers to the gospel of Jesus or people becoming believers in Jesus (both are possible from what the leaders said in 4:17b), as the Berean Standard Bible makes explicit.

4:17b

we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name: This clause indicates that the Jewish leaders planned to tell the apostles that they would punish them, if they continued to speak to people about Jesus. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

let us warn them to speak no more to any one in this name (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
we must warn them not to speak to anyone in that name again

to speak…in this name: These words mean here “to speak as those authorized by Jesus or as those representing him.” For example:

to speak as spokesmen for that man
-or-
to be an advocate/messenger for that person

Scholars think that the Jewish leaders belittled Jesus, when they referred to him by this name and avoided saying the name “Jesus.” See the above examples.

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