complete verse (Acts 17:34)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 17:34:

  • Uma: “But there were some that followed Paulus and believed Yesus: One of those who believed Yesus, his name was Dionisius, a leader of the gathering that was at Areopagus Mountain. There was also one woman who was named Damaris, and a few others also.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “There were some men who joined him and trusted in Isa. Some of them were Diyonisi, one of that council, and a woman named Damaris, and there were also others.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “There were people there who believed in Jesus, and they followed Paul. These were Dionysius and company, one of the chiefs there in the Areopagus, and also a woman named Damaris, and there were also some others who believed.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But there were however those who followed him who believed in Jesus. There was Dionisius a leader of the Areopagus, there was a woman named Damaris, and there were also others.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But there were also some who became-constant-companions of Pablo and believed in the Lord. One of those believers was Dionisio who was one of those highest judges in Atenas. Another was a woman named Damaris. And there were still others who were their companions.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 17:34

Joined him may be rendered as “took sides with him” or “identified themselves with.” The term believed must probably be understood in this context as “became believers.” Certainly more is implied than merely “believed what Paul had said.”

It is significant that Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, became a believer, since the Areopagus was a closed body and to belong to it was a great honor. Neither Dionysius nor Damaris are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament.

The final phrase and some others may be expressed as “and there were also some other people who believed.”

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 .