Stephen

The term that is transliterated as “Stephen” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that combines “S” and the sign for “stoned” or “rocks,” referring to Acts 7:58. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Stephen” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a signs for “see” + “heaven” + “open,” referring to Acts 7:55. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Stephen” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

See also the stoning of Stephen (image).

complete verse (Acts 22:20)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 22:20:

  • Uma: “So also, when your (sing.) witness Stefanus was killed, I was also there rejoicing that he was killed, and I was the one who watched the clothes of those who killed him.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “And when the people killed Estepan, your witness, I was also there agreeing to that their deed and I was yet the one who watched over the clothes of the people who killed him.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And when they killed Stephen, that person who did not cherish his life here on the earth because of you, I was there because I agreed also to his being killed. I am the one whom the ones who killed him had watched their shirts.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “They also know that I was made-happy at their killing of Esteban who confirmed-concerning you (sing.), because I was there guarding the clothes of the ones-who-killed-him,’ I said to the Lord.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “And that killing of Esteban, your testifier, I was indeed there for I was also one of those agreeing with that sentence of theirs which was death. I also was the one who took care of the clothes of those who killed him.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Lalana Chinantec: “‘When the blood of Stephen your witness poured out, I was standing alongside watching. They were doing well, they were doing the right thing, I thought back then. I guarded the clothes of the people who killed Stephen.’ That’s what I told the Lord.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

Translation commentary on Acts 22:20

When your witness Stephen was put to death is literally “when the blood of Stephen your witness was poured out.” But in biblical language “to pour out someone’s blood” is to have someone put death. It seems possible that this passage moves in the direction of using the word “witness” in the sense of “martyr.” It may be necessary to employ an active expression at this point, “when people killed your witness Stephen.” In this type of context, your witness may be rendered as “Stephen who told people about you.”

Approving of his murder may be rendered as “I agreed with them when they killed him,” “I said yes to their killing him,” or “I favored their killing him.”

The cloaks of his murderers are simply “the coats which belonged to those who killed Stephen.”

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 .