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 24:22)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 24:22:

  • Uma: “Governor Feliks knew well what people who believe in Yesus believed. That’s why he said: ‘Our trial will end here for now. I will decide this case as soon as Lisias, the head of the soldiers, arrives.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Then Governor Pilik stopped the talking because he knew already beforehand about the teaching of Isa Almasi. Pilik said, ‘You will know my judgment when Colonel Lisiyas arrives here.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And then Felix temporarily closed the court because he already knew what the people who believe in Jesus believed. He said, ‘I will give my judgment when Captain Lysias comes.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Governor Felix, he knew much concerning the faith of the Cristiano, so he caused-Pablo’s case -to-be-stopped saying, ‘When the commander Lisias arrives, then I will reach-a-verdict on your (sing.) case.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well, as for Felix that governor, he knew well the things believed by the people who followed/obeyed that way/trail of salvation. Therefore he said to that crowd there, ‘We will stop this legal-hearing for now. We’ll come back to it when Lysias arrives here, who is the highest-ranking-officer of soldiers in Jerusalem.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 24:22

Well informed (so also New English Bible) should possibly be taken in the sense of “somewhat well informed” (An American Translation*), “had a rather accurate knowledge” (Moffatt), or “a rather accurate knowledge” (Revised Standard Version). Some translators render well informed as “knew a good deal about” or “had learned much about.” As in a number of other contexts, it may be necessary to translate the Way as “the Way of the Lord.”

Brought the hearing to a close translates a technical judicial term (An American Translation* “adjourned the trial,” Jerusalem Bible “adjourned the case”). Evidently the Revised Standard Version rendering, “put them off,” comes from an understanding of the word as meaning “to withhold judgment for the time being.”

I will decide your case is rendered as “I will make a judgment on these matters” or “I will say whether you are guilty or innocent.”

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 .