sign

The Greek that is typically translated in English as “sign” is translated in Huehuetla Tepehua as “thing to be marveled at” (source: Larson 1889, p. 279) and in Mairasi as “big work” (source: Enggavoter 2004).

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Acts 4:16)

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 inclusive form (members of the Council talking among themselves).

Source: Velma Pickett and Florence Cowan in Notes on Translation January 1962, p. 1ff.

complete verse (Acts 4:16)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 4:16:

  • Uma: “they said: ‘What shall we do to those two? Because all the people in Yerusalem know that they are the ones who did that big surprising sign. Yet we also cannot deny it.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “‘What on-earth (ente’) shall we (incl.) do to these men?’ they said. ‘It is well-known here in Awrusalam that they have done a powerful work. And we (incl.) cannot deny this.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “‘What are we going to do with those people because it is really true that they have done a miracle, and it has become famous here in the town of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then they said, ‘Now what shall we do with those, because all the people here in Jerusalem know the amazing miracle that they did, and it is impossible for us to say it is not true.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “They were saying, ‘What would be good for us to do to these people? For it’s obvious to all the taga Jerusalem that they have been able to do a sign which is an amazing thing. Of course, we can’t say that it’s only a lie.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Jerusalem

The name that is transliterated as “Jerusalem” in English is signed in French Sign Language with a sign that depicts worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:


“Jerusalem” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

While a similar sign is also used in British Sign Language, another, more neutral sign that combines the sign “J” and the signs for “place” is used as well. (Source: Anna Smith)


“Jerusalem” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

Translation commentary on Acts 4:16

The reference to these men must identify Peter and John. There is, of course, no implication that the accusation is brought against the man who was healed. It may, therefore, be necessary to say “What shall we do with these men, Peter and John?”

Since, however, these individuals were actually not asking anyone else for advice, it may be necessary to translate “They were asking one another.”

Inasmuch as the following direct discourse is not a question, or even an answer to the question, it may be necessary to introduce a further statement of speaking, for example, “There were saying to one another.” The Greek text has an introductory participle of “speaking.”

Extraordinary miracle (see also New English Bible “notable miracle”) is literally “a well-known (or notable) sign”; but it is clear that the Greek word traditionally translated “sign” (see 2.19) in the present context indicates a “miracle.” The phrase this extraordinary miracle may be rendered as “this great miracle” or “this marvelous thing.”

The passive construction in has been performed by them can, of course, be shifted into the active, for example, “Peter and John have done this great miracle.”

An expression for we cannot deny it can be “we cannot say it did not happen” or “we cannot say, They did not do it.”

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 .