Acts 21:38-40

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Acts 21:38 tn L&N 39.41 has “οὐκ ἄρα σὺ εἶ ὁ Αἰγύπτιος ὁ πρὸ τούτων τῶν ἡμερῶν ἀναστατώσας ‘then you are not that Egyptian who some time ago started a rebellion’ Ac 21:38.”
2. Acts 21:38 tn Grk “of the Sicarii.”sn The term “Assassins” is found several times in the writings of Josephus (J. W. 2.13.3 [2.254-257]; Ant. 20.8.10 [20.186]). It was the name of the most fanatical group among the Jewish nationalists, very hostile to Rome, who did not hesitate to assassinate their political opponents. They were named Sicarii in Latin after their weapon of choice, the short dagger or sicarius which could be easily hidden under one’s clothing. In effect, the officer who arrested Paul had thought he was dealing with a terrorist.
3. Acts 21:38 tn Or “desert.”
4. Acts 21:38 tn Grk “before these days.”
5. Acts 21:39 tn Grk “said.”
6. Acts 21:39 tn Grk “a Jewish man.”
7. Acts 21:39 tn Grk “of a not insignificant city.” The double negative, common in Greek, is awkward in English and has been replaced by a corresponding positive expression (BDAG 142 s.v. ἄσημος 1).
8. Acts 21:39 tn Grk “I beg you.”
9. Acts 21:40 tn The referent (the commanding officer) has been supplied here in the translation for clarity.
10. Acts 21:40 tn Grk “When he gave permission.” The participle ἐπιτρέψαντος (epitrepsantos) is part of a genitive absolute construction and has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
11. Acts 21:40 tn Grk “standing.” The participle ἑστώς (hestōs) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
12. Acts 21:40 tn Or “motioned.”
13. Acts 21:40 tn γενομένης (genomenēs) has been taken temporally. BDAG 922 s.v. σιγή has “πολλῆς σιγῆς γενομένης when a great silence had fallen = when they had become silent Ac 21:40.”
14. Acts 21:40 tn Or “spoke out to.” L&N 33.27 has “to address an audience, with possible emphasis upon loudness—‘to address, to speak out to.’ πολλῆς δέ σιγῆς γενομένης προσεφώνησεν τῇ ᾿Εβραίδι διαλέκτῳ ‘when they were quiet, he addressed them in Hebrew’ Ac 21:40.”
15. Acts 21:40 tn Grk “in the Hebrew dialect, saying.” This refers to the Aramaic spoken in Palestine in the 1st century (BDAG 270 s.v. ῾Εβραΐς). The participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant in English and has not been translated.