council

The Greek that is translated as “council” or “Council” in English is (back-) translated in a variety of ways:

complete verse (Acts 24:20)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 24:20:

  • Uma: “But they aren’t here. So, it is better for my enemies who are here now to say what wrong of mine was found when the religious judges in Yerusalem examined me the other day. When I was examined then, they didn’t find any wrong of mine.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But because they are not here, let these people who are here speak. Let them state what sin they found in me when I was examined/investigated there at the council.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Now these people who are accusing me today, it would be good if they make clear to you what my sin was that they know about when they brought me before the elders.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But if not, why-don’t (lit. even-if) these-people tell what crime/sin of mine they found-out when-I-was-standing before them in Jerusalem.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Or if not, then these ones here will tell what the members of the Sanedrin found when we (excl.) were in each others’ presence in Jerusalem, as to what I had done which was wrong.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 24:20

These men here is literally “these men themselves,” but the reference is to the men who are standing there accusing Paul (see New English Bible “these persons here,” Jerusalem Bible “those who are present,” and Moffatt “these men yonder”).

What crime they found me guilty of may be equivalent to “what bad they proved that I had done” or “what evil thing they showed that I had done.”

When I stood before the Council must be rendered in some languages as “when I defended myself before the Council,” since in a number of languages the mere fact of standing before the Council would not imply making one’s defense.

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 .