the Way

The Greek that is often translated in English as “the Way,” referring to the young church in Acts, is translated in a number of ways:

In the Mandarin Chinese Union Version, the most commonly used Protestant Chinese Bible, it is translated as zhèdào (这道) or “this way.” What’s remarkable about that is the use of dào (道) or “way,” which is the same word that is also used for Logos (usually “Word” in English) in John 1:1 and elsewhere (see Word / Logos).

complete verse (Acts 19:23)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 19:23:

  • Uma: “At that time, many people made a disturbance in Efesus because of the Teachings of the Lord Yesus. Like this its account:” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “At that time, there in Epesus, there was big trouble because of the teaching of Isa. This is how it happened.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then big trouble took place in Ephesus because of the doctrine given by our Lord.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “That was when-a fearful riot -broke-out (lit. came-out) in Efeso concerning the faith of the Cristiano.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But, at that time, really far-from-ordinary trouble arose about the way/trail which Pablo was teaching.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 19:23

The expression translated as serious trouble is literally, in Greek, “not a little trouble.” Luke is particularly fond of these negative statements as a means of providing strong emphasis. By translating literally “not a little” one is, however, very likely to miss the emphasis implied in Luke’s usage. Moreover, from the standpoint of the structure of the meaning, it is more difficult for people to understand “not a little” than a positive expression such as “very much” or “serious.”

On the Way of the Lord see verse 9.

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 .