complete verse (Acts 8:11)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 8:11:

  • Uma: “For a long time he had surprised him with his magic, to the point that all the townspeople followed him and listened to his commands.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “For a long time already they had been astonished/amazed because of his deeds that’s why they listened very well to him.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “That’s why they followed him, because for a long time now he had led them by means of his skills.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Their following him, it was because he had practiced-divination for a long-time, and they were amazed at his ability.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “He was being honored/respected by the crowd because for a long time already he was fascinating them with what he could do through his skill as a powerful-spirit-medium.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 8:11

Note that verse 11 does not add any new information which is not already contained in the two preceding verses. It is simply an emphatic repetition of the essential information. In some languages one must add a term such as “really,” for example, “he had really astounded them.” By such emphatic forms one can justify the repetition of the information.

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 .