BHT with Abridged Translator’s NotesActs 8 =
8
1 As for Saul, he was in full agreement with Stephen’s+ murder.
“There Broke Out That Day a Wave of Severe Persecution”
There broke out that day a wave of severe persecution against the assembly in Jerusalem, and all the believers were forced to scatter throughout the provinces of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.2 (It was some devout men who recovered Stephen’s body+ and entombed it, wailing loudly and beating their chests in mourning for him.+) 3 As for Saul, he kept trying to destroy+ the assembly. Going into house after house after house, dragging off both men and women, he would hand them over to be put in prison.
“There Was Great Joy in That City”
4 While those who had been forced to scatter, therefore, went from place to place proclaiming the message, 5 Philip, for his part, having gone down to the main city+ in Samaria, told the people there about the Messiah.+ 6 It was as with one ear+ that the crowds were carefully following the things being said by Philip, as they listened to him and saw the miraculous signs he was performing. 7 In the case of many of those who had unclean spirits, you see, it was with loud shrieks that the spirits+ were coming out. Many who were paralyzed and lame, moreover, were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
“Repent of This Wickedness of Yours”
9 Now there had lived in that city for some time a certain man named Simon, who had been practicing sorcery and astounding the people of Samaria, claiming himself to be someone of great power and importance, 10 who had the eyes and ears of everyone,+ from the lowest to the highest.+ “This man is the divine power known as ‘The Great Power,’ ”+ people would say.+ 11 They paid careful attention to him because for a long time he had astounded them with acts of sorcery. 12 When they believed Philip as he proclaimed the gospel about the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus the Messiah, however, both men and women began to be baptized. 13 And as for Simon, even he himself believed, and after being baptized, stuck close to Philip. When he saw the signs and great miracles that were taking place, he was in awe.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who, upon arrival, prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 (The Spirit+ had not fallen up to this time, you see, on any of them; they had with respect to+ the name of Jesus only been baptized.) 17 Then Peter and John+ placed their hands on the Samaritans,+ and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 Now when Simon saw how it was through the apostles laying their hands on people+ that the Spirit had been given, he offered them some money. 19 “Give this power to me, too,” he said, “so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter, however, said to him, “May ˢyour silver go into utter ruin and disaster right along with ˢyou, because the gift of God ˢyou thought you could acquire with money! 21 ˢYou have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right in the eyes of God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for such motives and intentions.+ 23 For I see that you are consumed with bitter envy and held captive by unrighteousness.+”
24 “Please pray to the Lord for me yourselves,” replied Simon, “so that nothing at all may happen to me of what ᵖyou have said.”
“Who Is the Prophet Saying This About?”
25 Therefore, while Peter and John,+ on the one hand, after they had borne witness and proclaimed the message+ about the Lord, started back to Jerusalem and proclaimed the gospel in indeed many Samaritan villages, 26 there came with a message to Philip,+ on the other, an angel+ of the Lord. “Get ready and go south to+ the road+ that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza,” the angel said.+ (This is a wilderness road.+) 27 So Philip+ got ready and went. Then something very significant happened:+ There traveling down the road was an Ethiopian eunuch,+ a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man+ was in charge of all the wealth of Candace’s kingdom,+ and he had come in order to worship in Jerusalem. 28 He was now on his way back home, sitting in his carriage+ and reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
29 “Go up to that carriage and walk along beside it,”+ the Spirit said to Philip.
30 When Philip ran over to it, he heard the man+ reading from Isaiah the prophet. “So then,” Philip+ said, “do ˢyou understand the things you are reading?”
31 “How in the world can I,” the man+ replied, “unless someone guides me?” Then he urged Philip to come up and ride+ along with him.
32 Now the passage of Scripture he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep it was to the slaughter that he was led away;
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not say a word.+
33 In the course of suffering humiliation,+
just judgment was to him denied.
The evils of his generation who can put into words?+
For it is his very life that will be taken from the earth.”+
34 In response the eunuch said to Philip, “Please tell me:+ Who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 35 Philip, then, beginning with this passage of Scripture, solemnly+ proclaimed the gospel about Jesus to him.
36 As they continued down the road, they came to some water. “Look! There’s some water!” the eunuch said. “What is there to keep me from being baptized?”+ 38 And so he gave orders for the carriage to be stopped,+ and the two of them went down into the water—both Philip and the eunuch—and Philip+ baptized him.
39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch did not see Philip+ again,+ continuing as he did on his journey, rejoicing. 40 Philip, meanwhile, found himself in a town farther to the north called Azotus. As he passed through the region, he proclaimed the gospel in each and every one of the towns on the way from Azotus to the city of Caesarea.+
+1:3Lit to whom.+1:3Lit the things concerning. IT. Cf τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ ( ta peri hautou) at Lk 24:27 (see esp the NCV and NET there), and πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα...περὶ ἐμοῦ ( panta ta gegrammena...peri emou) at Lk 24:44. Just as the article there points back to OT Scriptures in Lk 24, so the same is true here (with Luke summarizing the focus of Jesus’ teaching in the post-resurrection appearances).+1:3Cf Mt 28:16-20; Lk 24:13-49.+1:4Lit the promise of the Father. See note at Lk 24:49. The same applies here. Cf LEB.+1:4Lit which you have heard of/from me. Because of the abrupt shift in the Greek text from indirect to direct speech, the antecedent has been restated in translation, and a new sentence started. The genitive is functioning in the subjective/source range, which is reflected in the translation (cf NCV, TEV).+1:5Or in.+1:6Lit they. Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+1:6Or began asking.+1:6Cf Ps 102:12-17; Is 40:1; 49:13; 51:3; 57:18; 61:2; Mic 4:8; Lk 2:25.+1:7Lit he.+1:7Cf Ps 102:12-17; Dn 9:22-27, 12:8-9; Mt 13:11; Lk 21:25-31; Re 10:4.+1:8Lit will be my witnesses. ME (see note at Lk 24:48). Cf also UBSHS (Ac), 18.+1:9Lit he.+1:10Or into heaven.+1:11Or into the sky. Here we have a bit of a breakdown in language, since Jesus starts his departure in the first heaven (ie, the sky) and ends up at the Father’s right hand in a part of the heavens that are out of sight (cf 2 Co 12:1-3).+1:11Or into heaven. See note at “heaven” earlier in this verse. “Sky” is better here, since the angel is referring to the part of the ascension that the apostles had observed.+1:12Lit having a journey of a Sabbath. ME (see L-N, 81.28). Cf NCV, NLT. Though the idiom is derived from rabbinic traditions concerning how far someone was permitted to walk on the Sabbath (see NET Bible Notes, Ac 1:12), this is not central to Luke’s point here, and thus an ME has been used in translation.+1:14Lit were busying themselves together in prayer, or were continuing frequently together in prayer, or were continuing in one accord in prayer. Cf TEV; UBSHS (Ac), 23. V 15 what inclines me toward the interpretation reflected in the text.+1:14Lit his.+1:15Lit In these days. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NLT.+1:15Lit the brothers. In a number of situations, the plural masculine form of ἀδελφός ( adelophos) is used generically for brothers and sisters or for believers (see BDAG, 18, sv 1, 2). In this situation it means the latter and includes both men and women (see v 14). Cf CJB, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, NRSV, TEV.+1:15Lit in the middle, or in the midst. ME (see UBSHS [Mk], 104).+1:15Lit the crowd of names was in all about one hundred and twenty, or the crowd of names in one place was about one hundred and twenty. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 24). Cf most English translations.+1:16Lit men brothers. The compound indicates that Peter is most likely addressing the other apostles here (see NET Bible Notes, Ac 1:16).+1:16Or accomplished.+1:16Lit which.+1:17Lit was numbered/counted among us. ME (see BDAG, 526, καταριθμέω 2; L-N, 34.33). Cf TEV.+1:17Or this service.+1:18Lit with the wages/reward of his wickedness. ME(I/F) (see UBSHS [Ac], 27). Cf CJB, NCV, TEV.+1:18Cf Mt 26:14–15; 27:5, 7–8.+1:18Lit he burst open in the middle. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 19.30).+1:19Lit It. Cf NLT.+1:20Or home, or dwelling.+1:20Ps 69:25+1:20Or his office.+1:20Ps 109:8+1:21Lit during all the time in which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 41.24; UBSHS [Ac], 30).+1:22Lit beginning from the/his baptism of/by John. Cf NET, NLT.+1:22Lit one of these must become a witness with us. ME. Cf NLT, TEV.+1:24Lit the hearts. In the ancient world, the “heart” was the seat not only of the emotional faculties, but of the will and mind as well (see note at Mk 3:5). Cf TEV.+1:24Or chosen for yourself. “Yourself” here is drawn from the middle voice of the verb (see Wallace, Grammar, 419-23).+1:25Lit to take the place of this service/ministry and apostleship. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 31). The genitives “ministry” and “apostleship” have been interpreted as a hendiadys. This is reflected in the translation. Cf NIV.+1:26Lit cast lots for them. ME. Cf CJB, TEV.+1:26Cf Ex 28:30; Lv 8:8;1 Sm 14:41; Ezr 2:63; Ne 7:65.+2:1Traditionally Pentecost (a transliteration). ME(OTB). Cf Ex 34:22, Lv 23:15; Dt 16:9.+2:2Or from the sky.+2:3Lit it. The shift to the third person singular here, along with the distributive idea activated by διαμερίζω ( diamerizō) in the preceding clause, indicates that a single tongue rested on each person. Cf UBSHS (Ac), 35; ISV.+2:4Or tongues.+2:4Lit as the Spirit was giving to them to utter. ME. Cf CJB, NIV, TEV.+2:5Lit Jews, God-fearing men. ME. Cf NET.+2:5Lit from every nation under heaven. ME(I/F) (see BDAG, 737, sv οὐρανός, 1.b.).+2:7Lit Behold. EFE. See note at Mt 2:9. Cf CJB, NLT.+2:8Lit our own language in which we were born. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 38). Cf most English translations.+2:12Lit What does this want to be? ME (see BDAG, 448, sv θέλω 5).+2:13Lit They are filled/glutted with sweet new wine. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 40). Cf CJB, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:14ἀποφθέγγομαι ( apophthengomai) doesn’t merely mean to address, but to address with great clarity and boldness because of divine aid and leading (see and cf ANLEX, 72, sv; BDAG, 125, sv; Little Kittel, 75, sv; TDNT, 1:447, sv; UBSHS [Ac], 41).+2:14Lit to them.+2:14Lit listen carefully to my words.+2:15Lit For not as you think. Cf NET.+2:15Lit for it is the third hour of the day. ME(H). Cf, eg, CJB, HCSB, NIV.+2:17These two phrases are found neither in the MT or the LXX, and thus have not been included in the quotation here (cf NET).+2:17Lit all flesh. Following the lead of the NET at Jl 2:28 in translation here (see NET Bible Notes, Jl 2:28; cf NCV here and at Jl 2:28). The context (“sons,” “daughters,” “young men,” “old men,” “male slaves,” and “female slaves”) indicates that “all flesh” here does not mean “all mankind” in the sense of “every person,” but is referring to all classes and categories of people. Cf BDAG, 784, sv πᾶς 5.+2:18Or slaves.+2:18Lit in those days. ME. Cf NCV.+2:19Lit give omens/portents. ME (see BDAG, 999, sv τέρας; L-N, 33.480; translation and note at Lk 2:34).+2:19Or in heaven.+2:19Cf Ex 4:1–9, 7:8–13, 10:21-23; 1 Ki 18:38; 2 Ki 1:9-16; Ps 19:1-5; Is 13:10, 34:4; Jl 2:10, 30-31; Hab 3:11; Mt 24:29; Mk 8:11-12; Lk 21:11; Re 6:12-13, 8:12.+2:21Jl 2:28-32+2:22Lit Men Israelites. ME. Cf CJB, ESV, NASB, HCSB, NET, NIV, RSV.+2:22Cf Lk 24:19.+2:22Lit in the midst of you. ME (see UBSHS [Mt], 558). Cf Mt 18:2, Mk 3:3. Cf also the translation and note at Jn 12:37.+2:23Lit by/according to the appointed plan and foreknowledge of God. ME (see L-N, 28.6; UBSHS [Ac], 48). Cf NLT, TEV. The genitive has been rendered as a subjective genitive in translation.+2:23Lit at the hand of lawless men. ME(H) (see L-N, 9.17; NET Bible Notes, Ac 2:23). Cf CJB, NET.+2:23Cf Jn 18:31.+2:24Lit whom God raised.+2:24Lit the birth-pains. ME (see ANLEX, 415, sv ὠδίν 2 a., b.). Cf the parallelisms in the LXX at 2 Sm 22:6 (2 Kingdoms in the LXX), Ps 18:4-5 (17:5-6 in the LXX), 116:3 (114:3 in the LXX).+2:24Cf Ps 18:4-5, 116:3; 2 Sm 22:6; Heb 2:15, 5:7.+2:24Lit its.+2:24Lit held by it. ME. Cf ISV, NASB, NET, NRSV.+2:26Or shouts.+2:26Lit my flesh. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 51; FBT Chart, C, D, F, G). Cf TEV.+2:27Lit my soul. Here “soul” is referring not to one part of the person, but to the person as a whole. Cf CJB, HCSB, NCV, NIV, TEV.+2:27Lit Hades. ME(OTB) (see note at Mt 11:23).+2:28Ps 16:8-11+2:29Lit Men brothers.+2:29Or the patriarch, or our forefather.+2:29 being allowable/right/possible/obligatory to speak with frankness/plainly about the patriarch David. ME. Cf TEV.+2:30Lit he.+2:30Lit from the fruit of his loins. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 10.34).+2:30An allusion to 2 Sm 7:12-13 and Ps 132:11.+2:32Lit This Jesus. Cf ISV here; ISV, NET, and NIV at Ac 1:11.+2:32Lit of which we all are witnesses. ME (see note at Lk 24:48). Cf also UBSHS (Ac), 18.+2:33Cf Is 32:15, 44:3; Jl 2:11; Ezk 39:28-29.+2:34Lit he.+2:34Or Lord, or Master. Following the MT of Ps 110:1 in translation here. Cf NLT.+2:35Ps 110:1+2:36Lit house. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 11.58).+2:36Lit him.+2:36Lit this Jesus.+2:37Lit they. Cf NCV, NIV, TEV.+2:37Lit were pierced through the heart. ME(I/F) (see ANLEX, 220, sv κατανύσσομαι; BDAG, 523, sv κατανύσσομαι; L-N, 28.281). Cf Jn 16:8-10.+2:38Cf Is 32:15, 44:3; Jl 2:11; Ezk 39:28-29.+2:39Cf Dt 30:1-10; Is 57:19; 1 Pt 1:1. Cf also Ac 22:21; Eph 2:13.+2:39Or call.+2:39Cf Is 10:19-22; Jr 23:1-3.+2:40Cf Dt 32:20.+2:40Lit saying.+2:42Lit in the breaking of the bread. ME(H)/IT (see UBSHS [Lk], 63). Cf NLT, TEV.+2:42Lit They were continuing/constantly busying themselves/spending their time in the teaching of the apostles and in the fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers. Cf Ac 1:14, 3:1. “Gathering” is presupposed by all the verbal nouns here (cf Ac 1:14, 2:26), sounds much more natural in English with the imperfective aspect and the number of different verbal ideas activated here, and helps the activities mentioned to be processed as occurring frequently and as being distributed over a period of time (cf UBSHS [Ac], 23).+2:43Lit Fear was becoming over every soul. ME. Cf NASB.+2:44Lit had all things in common. ME (see L-N, 57.99; UBSHS [Ac], 65). Cf ISV, NLT, TEV.+2:45Lit them. ME. Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+2:45Lit in proportion to/to the degree that someone had need. ME. Cf TEV.+2:46Lit and breaking from house to house bread. ME(H)/IT (see UBSHS [Lk], 63, 65). Cf NLT+2:46Or humble, or sincere.+2:46Cf 1 Co 11:17-32.+2:47Lit having favor with/among. ME (see BSL, Ac 2:47; sv χάρις; UBSHS [Ac], 66).+3:1Lit the hour of prayer the ninth. ME(H) (see UBSHS [Ac], 68). Cf ISV, HCSB, NCV, NIV, NLT, NRSV, TEV.+3:2Lit being lame from his mother’s womb. ME. Cf ESV, HCSB, NCV, NET, NLT, NRSV, TEV.+3:2Lit they. This is an indefinite plural. Cf ISV.+3:2Cf ESV, NET, NRSV, TEV.+3:3Lit he.+3:3Lit asking alms to receive.+3:4Lit at him.+3:4Lit he.+3:6Lit Silver and gold is not existing/present to me. ME (see ANLEX, sv ὑπάρχω; BDAG, 1029, sv ὑπάρχω 1; BSL, Ac 3:6, sv ὑπάρχω).+3:7Lit him.+3:7Lit he.+3:7Lit his.+3:8Or stopped, or stood.+3:8Lit with them.+3:9Lit saw him walking and praising God.+3:11Lit at the portico. ME(H) (see BSL, Ac 3:11; NET Bible Notes, Ac 3:11; UBSHS [Ac], 75). Cf NET.+3:12Lit he answered to the people. Cf NCV, NIV, TEV.+3:12Lit Men Israelites. ME. Cf HCSB, NASB, NET, NIV.+3:12Or godliness, or piety.+3:13Or forefathers. Lit fathers.+3:13Included within the purview of δοξάζω ( doxazō) here is both the giving of honor and the causing of someone to enter into a state of being “clothed” in resurrected glory (see BDAG, δοξάζω, 258, 1, 2).+3:13Cf Is 40-66.+3:14Cf Is 53:11. This is a Messianic title most likely rooted in Is 53:11 (see UBSHS [Ac], 78).+3:15Or Pioneer, or Founder, or Source, or Originator, or Ruler.+3:15Lit of which we are witnesses. ME (see note at Lk 24:48). Cf also UBSHS (Ac), 18.+3:16Lit the name of him.+3:16ME/IT (see UBSHS [Jn], 170; translation and notes at 1 Co 1:10). Cf TEV at Jn 5:43.+3:16Lit him.+3:17Or And. Cf NKJV.+3:17Lit that you acted according to ignorance. ME/IT (see BDAG, 13, ἄγνοια, 2.a.; L-N, 32.7).+3:17Cf Lk 23:34; Jn 16:1-3; Ac 13:27; 1Co 2:8; 1Ti 1:13.+3:18Or accomplished, or carried out.+3:19Cf Dt 30:2; Lam 3:40; Is 55:7; Jl 2:12-13.+3:19Cf Col 2:14.+3:20Lit that appointed times of refreshment/relief may come from the face of the Lord. ME (see ANLEX, 53, sv ἀνάψυξις; BDAG, 75, sv ἀνάψυξις; L-N, 22.35; NAC [Ac], 134). Cf Ps 65:12 in the LXX.+3:20Cf Dt 30:1-10; Es 4:14; Ps 102:12-17; Is 40:1; 49:13; 51:3; 57:18; 61:2; Mic 4:8; Zc 12:10-14; Lk 2:25; Ac 1:6; Rm 11:12-16.+3:20Cf 1 Sm 16:1-13; 2 Sm 2:4, 5:1-5.+3:21Lit whom it is necessary for heaven to receive/welcome. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 84). Cf CJB, NCV, NIV, NLT.+3:21Ml 4:6. Cf LXX.+3:21Lit the times of the restoration of all things. ME(OTB). Cf Ml 4:4-5; Mt 17:11; Mk 9:12. ἀποκατάστασις ( apokatastasis) is simply the noun form of ἀποκαθίστημι ( apokathistēmi), with God as the implied agent. Cf ἀποκαταστάσεως πάντων ( apokatastaseōs pantōn) here with ἀποκαθιστάνει πάντα ( apokathistanei panta) at Mk 9:12 and ἀποκαταστήσει πάντα ( apokatastēsei panta) at Mt 17:11. Note that ἀποκαθίστημι ( apokathistēmai) is used at Ml 4:6 in the LXX to translate šûḇ in the Hiphil (Ml 3:23 in the LXX); cf Brenton’s translation. Just as in Mt 17:11 and Mk 9:12, the allusion here is to Ml 4:1-6. Ml 4:6 makes it clear that the “things” “turned back” or “brought back” are “hearts.” “All” is used as a shorthand reference to the various levels of relationship mentioned in Ml 4:6. Cf Dt 4:29-31, 30:2-3; 1 Ki 18:37-38; 2 Ki 1:1-16; Ml 4:6, Re 11:3-6. Cf also the NET’s rendering of Ml 4:6.+3:21Lit God. Since the implied subject has been made explicit in the preceding clause, a pronoun has been used in translation here.+3:22Lit from among your brothers. ME (see L-N, 11.25). Cf NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+3:22Or listen, or heed. Both hearing and obedience are in view here (see L-N, 36.14; UBSHS [Ac], 85). Cf NET, TEV.+3:22Cf Mt 17:5.+3:23Dt 18:18-19+3:23Lv 23:29+3:24Lit and all the prophets from Samuel and the successors, as many as spoke. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 86). Cf TEV.+3:24Lit and all the prophets from Samuel and the successors, as many as spoke. ME/IT (see UBSHS [Ac], 86). Cf NCV, TEV.+3:24Lit announced these days. ME. Cf ISV, NIV, NRSV.+3:25Lit you are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant. ME(I/F) (see BDAG, 1025, sv υἱός 2.c.β.; UBSHS [Ac], 86). Cf ISV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+3:25Or with your forefathers. Lit with your fathers.+3:25Lit saying to Abraham.+3:25Or through.+3:25Or families, or peoples.+3:25Gn 22:18, 26:4+3:26Cf Mt 10:5-6, Rm 1:16.+4:1Lit While they.+4:2Lit because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 91). Cf CJB, ISV, NCV, NLT, TEV.+4:3Lit laid hands on. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 37.110).+4:3Lit them.+4:4Or the teaching, or the word.+4:4Lit the number of the men became about five thousand. ME (see NET Bible Notes, Ac 4:4).+4:5Lit their leaders. Cf TEV.+4:7Lit them.+4:7Lit in the middle, or in the midst. ME (see UBSHS [Mk], 104).+4:8Lk 12:11-12. The aorist participle here indicates that the Holy Spirit came upon/filled Peter at that moment for the purpose of enabling him to speak (cf UBSHS [Ac], 95). The phrase “filled with the Spirit” is fairly common in Luke’s writings and is even used to describe events that occur before Pentecost (cf Lk 1:15, 41, 67). Just for the record, I’m not writing this as an anti-charismatic statement. Luke simply doesn’t use the phrase in the same way that it is sometimes used in modern charismatic circles.+4:9Or healed, or delivered.+4:11Lit This one, or This man. Cf NLT, NCV, TEV.+4:11Ps 118:22+4:12Lit under heaven, or under the sky. ME (see BDAG, 737, sv οὐρανός, 1.b.).+4:12Lit among men.+4:12Cf Dt 32:1-43, 33:26-29; Is 30:27-33, 43:12, 44:8, 45:17, 45:22, 59:20; Jr 23:6, 30:10, 31:7, 46:27; Jl 2:32; Zc 8:13.+4:13Lit they.+4:13Lit and they began recognizing them, that they were with Jesus.+4:13Lit that they were with Jesus. ME (see BDAG, 961, sv σὺν 1.a.γ.; UBSHS [Ac], 99). Cf TEV.+4:14Cf Ex 4:12; Jr 1:9; Mt 10:20; Mk 13:11; Lk 12:12, 21:15; Jn 15:25; Ac 6:10.+4:18Lit them.+4:18Lit they ordered them not to speak or teach completely/at all/in the slightest degree.+4:19Lit Judge if it is right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 102). Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+4:21Lit they.+4:23Lit they.+4:23Lit to their own [people]. ME. Cf NLT, TEV.+4:23Lit in regard to them, or to them, or about them.+4:24Lit raised voice. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 33.78).+4:24Or together.+4:24Or heaven.+4:24Or the earth.+4:24Cf Gn 1-2; Ps 8.+4:25Or forefather. Lit father.+4:25Or nations.+4:26Lit will stand near, or will be present. ME (see BDAG, 778, sv παρίστημι/παριστάνω, 2.a.β.; UBSHS [Ac], 106). Cf NCV, NLT.+4:26Lit gather at the same place [ie, for war/battle].+4:26Ps 2:1-2+4:27Or in. Lit of. The genitive has been interpreted as a genitive of subordination. This is reflected in the translation. λαός ( laos) here is in the dative plural, referencing “the peoples” mentioned in v 25. The parallelism there indicates that “the peoples” is referring to Gentile nations. Therefore, the genitive here is not functioning appositionally, but is better understood either as a genitive of subordination (note the mention of Pilate and Herod), or as a genitive of place.+4:28Lit to carry out everything that your hand and your plan decided in advance/already decided would happen. ME (see L-N, 30.84; UBSHS [Ac], 107). Cf TEV.+4:29Or message.+4:31Lit the place in which they were. ME. Cf ISV, NCV, NIV, TEV.+4:32Lit was saying it was his own. ME (see BDAG, 466, sv ἴδιος 1.a.).+4:32Lit but all things were theirs/to them in common. ME (see L-N, 57.99; UBSHS [Ac], 65). Cf CJB, ISV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+4:33Lit giving the witness/testimony.+4:33Lit and great favor was on them all, or great grace was on them all. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 111). Cf CJB, NJB. Cf also Ac 2:47.+4:34Lit selling [them].+4:35Lit It.+4:35Lit to each in proportion to/to the degree that someone had need. ME. Cf CJB, TEV.+4:36And/or Consoler, or Exhorter, or Encourager. Lit son of exhortation/consolation/encouragement. ME (I/F) (see L-N, 9.4). Cf NCV, NLT, TEV. Cf BSL, Ac 4:37, sv παράκλησις. The context suggests that Barnabas received the name because his generous act brought relief and help to those in the community of believers who had little and were struggling. Hence the rendering here.+4:37Lit a field being to him. ME. Cf HCSB, NLT, TEV.+5:3Lit filled your heart. ME (see note at Mk 3:4; UBSHS [Ac], 115).+5:4Lit While it was remaining. ME (see BDAG, 631, sv μένω 1.b.) Cf CJB, ISV, NCV, NET, NIV, TEV.+5:4Lit it was in your authority. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 116).+5:4Lit Why that you set in your heart this deed? ME (see BDAG, 509, sv καρδία 1.b.γ.). Cf TEV.+5:5Cf Re 2:16, 22-23.+5:6Lit wrapped him. ME. Cf CJB, NIV, TEV.+5:9Lit Why that it was agreed by you...? ME. Cf ISV, NIV, NLT.+5:10Lit they found her dead. An active search is not implied here. Cf BDAG, 411, sv εὑρίσκω 1.b.; UBSHS (Lk), 683; UBSHS (Mk), 434.+5:10Lit carrying her out, they entombed her next to her husband.+5:13Lit they. Cf NIV, NLT, TEV.+5:13Or were in one accord.+5:13Lit with them.+5:18Lit laid hands on. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 37.110).+5:18Or common, or public.+5:19Or The angel. See note at Mt 1:20.+5:19Or doors.+5:20Lit go and, stopping/standing, speak in the temple courts. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 124).+5:20Lit speak to the people all the words of this life. ME/IT (see NAC [Ac], 166; Robertson, Word Pictures, Ac 5:20). Cf CJB, HCSB, ISV, NCV, NIV, NLT, NRSV, TEV.+5:20Cf Ac 3:15, 4:1-2, 4:12, 11:14, 11:18; 13:46, 15:11; 16:17.+5:21Or On hearing [this]. ἀκούω ( akouō) here can refer either to hearing (see, eg, L-N, 24.52; cf, eg, ISV, NET), and/or obeying (see, eg, L-N, 36.14; cf HCSB, TEV).+5:21Lit sons. ME (see L-N, 11.58).+5:21Lit sent to the prison for them to be brought. Cf TEV.+5:24Lit were at a loss concerning them. ME. Cf ISV, TEV.+5:25Lit are standing. As in v 20, the focus here is not on posture but location (see UBSHS [Ac], 126).+5:26Lit them.+5:26Lit for they feared the people, lest they be stoned. ME. Cf ISV, NCV, NLT, TEV.+5:28Lit with an order we ordered. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 127; NET Bible Notes, Ac 5:28).+5:28Lit determined to bring on us. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 127; see also note at Mt 27:24). Cf TEV.+5:30Or forefathers. Lit fathers.+5:30Cf Dt 18:15-19; Ac 4:22, 26. Here, “raise up” can either mean something like to “send” (cf Ac 4:22, 26), or to “raise to life.”+5:30An allusion to Dt 21:22.+5:31Or Author, or Originator. Cf Ac 3:15.+5:33Lit When they. Cf TEV.+5:33Lit them.+5:35Lit said to them.+5:36Lit Before these days. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 130). Cf HCSB.+5:36Cf Mt 24:5, 24:24-26; Mk 13:6, 13: 21-23, 15:7; Lk 21:8, 23:18-19; Ac 21:38.+5:36Lit a number of men about four hundred.+5:36Lit all who were being persuaded by him, or all who were following/obeying him. ME. Cf, eg, HCSB, ISV, NCV, NIV, TEV.+5:36Lit and it became into nothing. ME. Cf TEV.+5:37Lit After this man.+5:37Lit in the days of. ME. Cf TEV.+5:37Lit caused people to revolt after/behind him.+5:39Lit They.+5:39Lit by him.+5:41Lit they.+5:41Or on the Name’s behalf.+5:42Or proclaiming the gospel about the Messiah, Jesus.+6:1Lit In those days. ME. Cf CJB.+6:1Or Greek-speaking.+6:1Lit complaining/grumbling/whispering arose from the Greek-speaking Jews. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NIV, NLT.+6:1Or Hebrew-speaking.+6:2Or desirable, or proper.+6:4Or service.+6:4Lit will persist/continue in. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 136). Cf CJB, NIV, NLT, TEV.+6:5Lit The statement was pleasing in the sight of all the multitude/group/community. ME. Cf HCSB, ISV, NET, NIV.+6:5Cf Ac 2:11.+6:6Lit whom.+6:6Lit [and] laid hands on them. ME(OTB)/IT (see NAC [Ac], 182; UBSHS [1 Ti], 105, 132). Cf Dt 34:9; Nu 27:16-23; 1 Ti 5:22; 2 Ti 1:6.+6:8Lit full of grace. ME (see translation and note at 1 Co 1:4, 3:10; BDAG, 1080, χάρις 4). Cf NCV, TEV.+6:8Or great. Drawing from BSL in translation here (see BSL, Ac 6:8, sv μέγας).+6:10Lit they were unable to oppose/resist the wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 139). Cf NCV, TEV.+6:10Cf Ex 4:12; Jr 1:9; Mt 10:20; Mk 13:11; Lk 12:12, 21:15; Jn 15:25; Ac 6:10.+6:11Or they bribed.+6:11Lit him.+6:13Or the Law. Cf CJB.+6:15Lit on him.+6:15Lit they saw his face like the face of angel. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 141). Cf Ex 34:29-30; Mt 17:4; 2 Co 3:7-13.+7:1Lit If these things thus have?. ME (see L-N, 13.2). Cf CJB, HCSB, ISV, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+7:2Lit he.+7:2Or the God of glory.+7:2Or forefather. Lit father.+7:3Gn 12:1+7:4Lit he.+7:4Lit him.+7:5Lit not even the step of a foot. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 80.3; UBSHS [Ac], 7:5).+7:5Lit it.+7:5An allusion Gn 12:7, 13:15, 15:2, 15:18, 17:8, 24:7, and 48:4. Cf Gl 3:16.+7:5Lit he.+7:6Lit his. Following the lead of the NET in translation here (see NET Bible Notes, Ac 7:6). Cf also CJB, NCV, NIV, TEV.+7:6Lit and they.+7:7Gn 15:13-14+7:7Or and worship me. In view here is the carrying out of sacred duties before God (see BDAG, 586, sv λατρεύω; NET Bible Notes, Ac 7:7).+7:7Ex 3:12+7:8Lit gave him the covenant of circumcision. ME/IT (see UBSHS [Ac], 146). Cf TEV.+7:8Lit him.+7:8Lit circumcised him.+7:9Lit with him.+7:10οἶκος ( oikos) in this context can refer to the royal household (see, eg, L-N, 10.8; cf TEV), and/or the possessions associated with that household (see, eg, L-N, 57.21; cf BDAG, 699, sv οἶκος 4). Both are probably in view here. Cf Gn 41:41-44; Ps 105:21.+7:11Lit a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan.+7:11Or forefathers. Lit fathers.+7:13Lit and the family of Joseph became known to Pharoah. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 149). Cf NCV, NCV, TEV. Cf also Gn 45:16.+7:14Lit in souls. Here “soul” is used for the whole person (see, eg, L-N, 9.20).+7:16Lit They. ME(OTB)/IT (see UBSHS [Ac], 149). Cf NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, NRSV, TEV. This is referring to the dead bodies/bones of Joseph and Jacob, which were both embalmed (see Gn 50:1-2, 26), and at different times were moved back to Israel (see Gn 50:4-14, 24-26).+7:16Gn 23:16, 35:19, 50:4-26; Ex 13:19; Jsh 24:32.+7:17Lit As the time of the promise which God had sworn to Abraham was/kept drawing near. ME. Cf NCV, NIV, TEV.+7:18Ex 1:8+7:19Lit so that they.+7:20Lit and he was beautiful to God. ME(I/F/OTB) (see DBL Greek, #842.2; UBSHS [Ac], 151; NET Bible Notes, Jnh 3:3). Cf Gn 23:6; 30:8; Ex 9:28; 1 Sm 14:15; Ps 36:6, 80:10; Jnh 3:3.+7:20Lit who was brought up/raised for three months.+7:22Or powerful.+7:22Lit in his words and deeds. ME. Cf NCV.+7:23Lit he.+7:23Lit it arose in his heart. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 30.17, UBSHS [Ac], 152). Cf HCSB, NIV, NLT, TEV.+7:23Lit his brothers. ME. Cf NET.+7:23Lit sons. ME (see L-N, 11.58).+7:25Lit that the brothers. ME. Cf NCV, NET, NIV, TEV.+7:25Or salvation.+7:26Lit he appeared to them as they. That two Israelite men are involved is clear from the context (see v 27; cf NET Bible Notes, Ac 7:26; UBSHS [Ac], 152). Cf HCSB, NCV, NET, TEV.+7:26Lit tried to reconcile them to peace. ME. Cf ESV, NIV, NRSV, RSV.+7:28Ex 2:14+7:29Lit Moses fled at this word. ME. Cf NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+7:30Ex 3:2+7:31Lit the voice of the Lord happened. ME. Cf NCV, NIV, TEV.+7:32Or forefathers. Lit fathers.+7:32Lit “of.” ME(OTB)/IT (see note at Mt 22:32).+7:32Ex 3:6+7:32Lit having become trembling. ME/IT (see, eg, ANLEX, 152, sv ἔντρομος; L-N, 16.6). Cf ISV, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+7:34Or seen, or observed, or noticed.+7:34Ex 3:5, 7-8, 10+7:35Lit This Moses.+7:35Lit This man. Cf ISV, NET.+7:35Or by means of, or with the help of. Lit with the hand of. ME(I/F) (see BDAG, 1083, sv χείρ 2.b.δ.; NET Bible Notes, Ac 7:35; UBSHS [Ac], 156).+7:36Lit this man.+7:36Lit them.+7:37Lit This is the Moses. Cf ISV.+7:37Lit sons. ME (see L-N, 11.58).+7:37Lit from among your brothers. ME (see L-N, 11.25). Cf NCV, NLT, NIV, TEV.+7:37Dt 18:15+7:38Lit This man is the one who. Maintaining consistency in translation here with vv 35-37.+7:39Or forefathers. Lit fathers.+7:39Lit returned in their hearts. ME(I/F) (see BDAG, 509, sv καρδία, 1.b.ε.; UBSHS [Ac], 159). Cf NCV, NLT, TEV.+7:39Cf Ex 16:3; Nm 11:4, 14:3–4, 20:3-5; Ezk 20:8, 24.+7:40Ex 32:1, 23+7:41Lit in those days. ME. Cf NET.+7:41Cf Ex 32:1-6; Dt 4:28; 2 Ki 19:18, 22:17; 2 Ch 32:19, 34:25; Is 37:19, 40:18-20, 44:9-20; Jr 10:1-6, 25:6-7, 32:20, 44:8; Ho 14:3; Mic 5:13.+7:42The meaning of “turned” here is that God takes an adversarial stance against the people (see, eg, Dt 9:19, 28:15-68; Jsh 24:20; 1 Sm 28:16). Cf NCV.+7:42Lit of the army/host of heaven. ME(OTB) (see L-N, 12.45; TWOT, #1491). Cf 2 Ki 21:3; 2 Ch 33:3-5, Jr 8:2.+7:42Or book.+7:42Lit the book/scroll of the prophets. ME(H) (see UBSHS [Ac], 161). Cf Lk 3:3.+7:42Lit house. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 11.58).+7:43The aorists here are proleptic. Cf the CJB, ESV, NET, NRSV, RSV, and TEV at Am 5:26-27. The point here is that God, in execution of the covenant curses (see Dt 4:27-28, 28:36, 28:64), is going to send Israel into exile in company with her false gods, the worship of which is what resulted in her exile in the first place. In other words, in the wilderness God allowed Israel to bear his own tabernacle in her midst, but because of disobedience, the nation would in the future (future from the time when the oracle was spoken) have to pick up and bear the tabernacle of her idols and carry them off into exile with her. It certainly does not mean that the Shekinah Glory graciously allowed some sort of idolatrous procession in the camp for forty years (cf Nm 25)!+7:43Or constellation-image. Lit star, or constellation. ME(H)/IT (see L-N, 1.31, 12.45; TWOT, #1491; UBSHS [Ac], 161).+7:43Am 5:25-27. Cf Dt 4:27-28, 28:36, 28:64.+7:44Cf Ex 25:22.+7:44Or forefathers. Lit fathers.+7:44Lit just as the one who spoke to Moses ordered him with detailed instructions to make it according to the pattern he had seen. ME. Cf NIV, NLT, TEV.+7:45Lit which also our fathers with Joshua brought in, having received it in succession, in the taking possession of the nations, which God drove out from the face of our fathers, until the days of David. The mismatch in languages is obviously vast here. For a discussion of challenges in translation, see UBSHS (Ac), 162.+7:46Lit who.+7:46Lit house. ME(I/F) (see BDAG, 699, sv οἶκος 3).+7:46Lit asked to find a tabernacle/tent for the house of Jacob. ME(I/F/OTB) (see UBSHS [Ac], 163). Cf JB, NEB, TEV. Cf 2 Sm 7:1-8; 1Ch 22:7; Ps 89:19; 132:5 (esp 1 Ch 22:7). Following the NIV at Ps 15:1 in the translation of “tent” here (cf LXX/MT alignment there). For a brief discussion of manuscript variants here (some manuscripts read “for the God of Jacob”), see NET Bible Notes, Ac 7:46.+7:47Or him. The antecedent here may be the “house of Jacob” (ie, the descendants of Jacob [see note at “descendants” in the preceding verse]; hence the translation “them” here), or God (implied from the context).+7:47Cf 1Ki 6:1–2, 8:17–20; 2 Ch 3:1.+7:50Is 66:1-2+7:51Lit You who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in hearts and in the ears! ME(I/F) (see note at Mk 3:5). Cf Lv 26:41; Dt 10:16, 30:6; Jr 4:4, 9:26; Ezk 44:7-9.+7:51Or forefathers. Lit fathers.+7:53Lit by the directions/instructions of angels. ME(H/OTB) (see BDAG, 237, sv διαταγή; L-N, 89.76; NET Bible Notes, Ac 7:53). Cf NCV, NET, NIV, TEV.+7:54Lit When they.+7:55Or the sky.+7:55Lit he.+7:56Or the skies.+7:57Lit rushed together, or rushed in one accord.+7:58Lit The witnesses. ME (see Ac 6:13). Cf NCV, NLT.+7:60Lit fell asleep. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 23.104).+8:1Lit his.+8:2Lit recovered Stephen.+8:2Lit and made great beating of the chest for him. ME(H)/IT (see ANLEX, 235, sv κοπετός; BSL, Ac 8:2)+8:3Or he was causing harm to.+8:5Following the NET in translation here.+8:5Lit proclaimed to them the Messiah. ME. Cf NLT, TEV.+8:6Lit with one accord/together/unanimously. Cf Mofft and NAB at Ac 7:57 (see UBSHS [Ac], 168).+8:7Lit they.+8:10Lit to whom all were paying attention.+8:10Or from the youngest to the oldest.+8:10Lit This man is the power of God/the god which is called Great. ME(H) (see NAC [Ac], 215; UBSHS [Ac], 215). Cf HCSB, NIV, TEV.+8:10Lit saying.+8:16Lit He. Cf NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+8:16Or in, or into.+8:17Lit Then they.+8:17Lit on them.+8:18Lit through the laying on of the hands of the apostles. ME. Cf CJB, NCV, NLT, TEV.+8:22Lit and ask the Lord if perhaps the intention/thought of your heart will be forgiven you. ME. In the ancient world, the “heart” was seen as the seat of one’s thoughts, emotions, and will (see note at Mk 3:5; cf UBSHS [Ac], 178). Cf CJB, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+8:23Lit For I see you being into the gall of bitterness and the bond of unrighteousness. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 88.166; NET Bible Notes, Ac 8:23; UBSHS [Ac], 179).+8:25Lit they. Cf NCV, NIV.+8:25Or word.+8:26Lit spoke to Philip, saying…+8:26Or the angel. See note at Mt 1:20.+8:26Or on.+8:26Or Get ready and go at noon to the road.+8:26Lit saying.+8:26Or This road is deserted, or This town [ie, Gaza] is [now] deserted.+8:27Lit he.+8:27Lit behold. EFE. See note at Mt 2:9.+8:27Cf Dt 23:1; Is 56:3-8.+8:27Lit who.+8:27Lit was over all her treasury. ME(H). DBL Greek states: “treasury, in context, the financial treasure of a kingdom” (see DBL Greek, #1125).+8:28Or chariot.+8:29Lit Approach and cling to this carriage. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 181). Cf NCV. That Philip is on foot is made clear by the following verse.+8:30Lit heard him.+8:30Lit he.+8:31Lit he.+8:31Lit sit. Following the lead of the UBSHS in translation here (see UBSHS [Ac], 182).+8:32Lit did not open his mouth. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 33.29). Cf TEV.+8:33Lit In/at humiliation. Cf CJB, NLT, TEV.+8:33Or His posterity/descendants/family history who can describe? For a discussion of the interpretive possibilities here, see UBSHS (Ac), 182.+8:33Is 53:7-8+8:34Lit I beg/pray/beseech you. ME. Cf NCV, NET, NIV, TEV.+8:35Lit opening his mouth. ME(I/F/OTB) (see notes at Mt 5:2, Lk 4:21). Contrary to the claim of the UBSHS (see UBSHS [Ac], 183), the statement is not “meaninglessly repetitious.”+8:36Some manuscripts have (with minor variations) verse 37: “And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he replied, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God’” (ESV). For a brief discussion of the manuscript variants here, see NET Bible Notes, Ac 8:36.+8:38Lit he ordered to stop. A driver (or perhaps drivers) is obviously implied in the command. Though English does technically allow for verbs of command to be used with inanimate objects, in this situation it sounds awkward (as with many languages; cf, eg, the discussion in UBSHS [Ac], 184). At the same time, the number of drivers is not mentioned in the text. Hence, a passive construction has been used in translation.+8:38Lit he.+8:39Lit him.+8:39Or And the eunuch saw him no longer, or And the eunuch did not see him anymore. Cf NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+8:40Lit until he came to Caesarea. ME (see UBSHS [Ac], 185). Cf NCV.
=