inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Acts 21:22)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, translators typically select the exclusive form (excluding the addressee).

complete verse (Acts 21:22)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 21:22:

  • Uma: “But now they have certainly heard that you (sing.) are here. So what shall we do? [lit., So, how?]” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Na, what should you do? Because it is certain that they have already heard that you have arrived.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Surely they have heard that you have arrived.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “What are we to do then in order that they will find-out that it’s not true, because they are sure to hear-reported that you (sing.) are here?” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well, now, what would be good to do? For of course, they will hear news that you have now arrived here.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 21:22

What should be done, then? (Jerusalem Bible “What is to be done?”) is a question raised by the people who are bringing this accusation to Paul’s attention. What they mean is what should Paul do, or what should they do, in order to show that the suspicions about Paul are unfounded? Though this question would seem to be directed to Paul to ask him for his opinion, in reality it is only rhetorical; that is to say, the question is asked in order to be immediately answered by the same persons who asked it. In order to deal effectively with such a question as what should be done, then?, it may be immediately followed by “let us tell you what we think you should do.” This would then be the first sentence of verse 23.

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 .