Acts 4:18-31

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Acts 4:18 tn Or “commanded.”
2. Acts 4:18 sn In the name of Jesus. Once again, the “name” reflects the person. The person of Jesus and his authority is the “troubling” topic that, as far as the Jewish leadership is concerned, needs controlling.
3. Acts 4:19 tn Grk “answered and said to them.”
4. Acts 4:19 tn Grk “hear,” but the idea of “hear and obey” or simply “obey” is frequently contained in the Greek verb ἀκούω (akouō; see L&N 36.14).
5. Acts 4:20 tn Grk “for we are not able not to speak about what we have seen and heard,” but the double negative, which cancels out in English, is emphatic in Greek. The force is captured somewhat by the English translation “it is impossible for us not to speak…” although this is slightly awkward.
6. Acts 4:21 tn Or “glorifying.”
7. Acts 4:22 tn Here σημεῖον (sēmeion) has been translated as “miraculous sign” rather than simply “sign” or “miracle” since both components appear to be present in the context. See also the note on this word in v. 16.
8. Acts 4:22 tn Or “had been done.”
9. Acts 4:23 tn Grk “they”; the referents (Peter and John) have been specified in the translation for clarity, since a new topic begins in v. 23 and the last specific reference to Peter and John in the Greek text is in 4:19.
10. Acts 4:23 tn Grk “to their own [people].” In context this phrase is most likely a reference to other believers rather than simply their own families and/or homes, since the group appears to act with one accord in the prayer that follows in v. 24. At the literary level, this phrase suggests how Jews were now splitting into two camps, pro-Jesus and anti-Jesus.
11. Acts 4:24 sn With one mind. Cf. Acts 1:14.
12. Acts 4:24 tn Or “Lord of all.”sn The use of the title Master of all (δεσπότης, despotēs) emphasizes that there is a sovereign God who is directing what is taking place.
13. Acts 4:24 tn Grk “and the earth, and the sea,” but καί (kai) has not been translated before “the earth” and “the sea” since contemporary English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
14. Acts 4:25 tn Grk “by the mouth of” (an idiom).
15. Acts 4:25 tn Or “ancestor”; Grk “father.”
16. Acts 4:25 tn Or “Gentiles.”
17. Acts 4:25 sn The Greek word translated rage includes not only anger but opposition, both verbal and nonverbal. See L&N 88.185.
18. Acts 4:25 tn Or “futile”; traditionally, “vain.”
19. Acts 4:26 tn Traditionally, “The kings of the earth took their stand.”
20. Acts 4:26 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”sn See the note on Christ in 2:31.
21. Acts 4:26 sn A quotation from Ps 2:1-2.
22. Acts 4:27 sn The application of Ps 2:1-2 is that Jews and Gentiles are opposing Jesus. The surprise of the application is that Jews are now found among the enemies of God’s plan.
23. Acts 4:27 sn A wordplay on “Christ,” v. 26, which means “one who has been anointed.”
24. Acts 4:28 tn Grk “hand,” here a metaphor for God’s strength or power or authority.
25. Acts 4:28 tn Or “purpose,” “will.”
26. Acts 4:28 tn Or “had predestined.” Since the term “predestine” is something of a technical theological term, not in wide usage in contemporary English, the translation “decide beforehand” was used instead (see L&N 30.84). God’s direction remains as the major theme.
27. Acts 4:29 tn Or “Lord, take notice of.”
28. Acts 4:29 sn Grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage. The request is not for a stop to persecution or revenge on the opponents, but for boldness (great courage) to carry out the mission of proclaiming the message of what God is doing through Jesus.
29. Acts 4:29 tn Grk “slaves.” See the note on the word “servants” in 2:18.
30. Acts 4:29 tn Grk “word.”
31. Acts 4:29 tn Or “with all boldness.”
32. Acts 4:30 tn The miraculous nature of these signs is implied in the context.
33. Acts 4:31 tn Grk “And when.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
34. Acts 4:31 sn The place where they were assembled…was shaken. This signifies that God is in their midst. See Acts 16:26; Exod 19:18; Ps 114:7; Isa 6:4.
35. Acts 4:31 tn The imperfect verb has been translated as an ingressive imperfect (“began to speak”). Logical sequencing suggests that their speaking began after they were filled with the Spirit. The prayer was answered immediately.
36. Acts 4:31 tn Or “speak God’s message.”
37. Acts 4:31 tn Or “with boldness.”