sect

The Greek that is here translated as “sect” in English is translated as “new mind” in Isthmus Mixe, as “new teaching” in Morelos Nahuatl, or “different word” in Lalana Chinantec. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Acts 28:21-22)

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 (only including the Jewish leaders in Rome).

Source: SIL International Translation Department (1999).

complete verse (Acts 28:22)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 28:22:

  • Uma: “However, we do want to hear your (sing.) teaching speaking about the Redeemer King. Because we have heard people all over rejecting that teaching of yours(s).'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But we (excl.) want to hear what you believe in, because we (excl.) know that everywhere this teaching that you follow is being opposed by the people.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “We would like to listen to your teaching so that we might investigate it, because we know that those who believe in the doctrine that you teach, people everywhere are against them.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But we (excl.) do know however that people in the various-towns/countries speak-evil-of your (sing.) companions who are following Jesus, so we (excl.) would still want to hear what is in your (sing.) thoughts.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “However, since you are here now, we want to hear what you can tell concerning this believing of yours. For all we know is that, no matter which land, the ones who believe-in/obey that teaching are really being opposed.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 28:22

Your ideas may be rendered “what you think.”

The word rendered party appears in 24.5 and is the normal word used to refer to a recognized group within Judaism. The Good News Translation has made Paul’s relationship to this party explicit by the words that you belong to. In some languages one cannot speak of “belonging to a party.” One may, however, say “to be one with the party,” “to be a member of this group,” or “to be counted together with those who form this party.”

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 .