Cephas

The Greek that is transliterated “Cephas” in English — and is an alternative name for Peter — is transliterated in Mandarin Chinese Protestant translations as jīfǎ (traditional Chinese: 磯法, simplified Chinese: 矶法). The first character jī (磯 / 矶) is not only chosen because of its sound but also because of its meaning: “rock,” corresponding to the meaning of the Aramaic kēp̄ā (כֵּיפָא), to which the Greek Kēphâs (Κηφᾶς) refers and also alluding to Jesus’ proclamation in Matthew 16:18 (see Peter – rock).

Note that Catholic Chinese versions don’t follow the English pronunciation of “Cephas” with its opening [s] sound. They use kēfǎ (刻法) transliterating the [k] sound from the Aramaic and Greek. Kēfǎ does not carry the additional meaning of “rock.” (Source: Jost Zetzsche)

In the Neo-Aramaic language of Assyrian the terms used for both “Peter” (English transliteration of the Greek “πετρος”) and “Cephas” are identical (كِيپَا, pronounced kēpā). (Source: Ken Bunge)

The passage in John 1:42 (“You are to be called Cephas (which is translated Peter)” in English) is solved by various translations like this: “‘I am going to name you Cephas.’ Cephas means ‘Peter.’ Both mean ‘rock.'” (Ojitlán Chinantec), “I am naming you Cephas. ‘Cephas’ in the Jews’ language, ‘Peter’ in the Greek language, the meaning being ‘stone’.” (Alekano), “You will become known as Cephas,’ he said, which in our language means ‘rock.'” (Chol), or “You will be called Cephas and also Peter.” Tenango Otomi. (Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)

See also Peter – rock.

complete verse (Galatians 2:11)

Following are a number of back-translations of Galatians 2:11:

  • Uma: “One time, when Petrus came to the town of Antiokhia, I did not hold-back to reprimand him. Because his behavior was indeed wrong.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Not long after that Petros came to us (excl.) there in the town Antiyok. One day he was scolded/reprimanded by me because there was something he did that was not right/not hitting-the-mark.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Now somewhat a long time after that, Peter came to us (excl.) in the town of Antioch. When he first arrived his behavior was proper, for he gathered together to eat with believers who weren’t Jews. But when some Jewish believers that James had sent arrived, he began avoiding eating with the people who aren’t Jews. And I rebuked him because it was quite clear that what he was doing was not right. The reason he avoided it was because he was afraid because he might be scolded for that action these Jewish believers who say that it’s necessary for the non-Jewish believers to be circumcised.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But when Pedro came to Antiok, I opposed him in front of the collective-people, because it was clear that what he had done was not right.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well when we (excl.) had returned to Antioquia Pedro visited us (excl.). But it happened that he did something wrong there, therefore it wasn’t possible/acceptable that I not correct what he did.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Afterwards I was at the town of Antioch and also Peter arrived. After some days, there came the day that he didn’t do what was right. Then before the people I rebuked him in what he did.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Galatians 2:11

Paul now relates the incident of Peter’s visit to Antioch as a further proof of his independence from the other apostles.

We are not sure when Peter visited Antioch, but it certainly was after Paul’s second visit to Jerusalem. Antioch is the major city in Syria, and the book of Acts informs us that it was from there that Paul started his first missionary journey (13.1-3). The membership of the church in Antioch consisted of both Jews and Gentiles, and apparently this had not caused any problems within the fellowship.

In rendering the clause when Peter came to Antioch, it is important to indicate that this was merely a visit and not a permanent change of residence.

I opposed him may be rendered as “I spoke against him,” or “I spoke against what he did.”

In public is literally “to the face,” a current idiom during Paul’s day. Some understand this to mean a face-to-face confrontation (New American Bible “I directly withstood him”). Others see an open public encounter as the main component (compare Phillips “I had to oppose him publicly,” thus connecting verse 11 with verse 14). In order to make clear that the phrase in public refers to the group of Christians and not to the people of the city in general, one may say “I opposed him with all the believers listening,” or “… in front of all the believers.”

He was clearly wrong may be rendered as “he stood condemned” (Revised Standard Version), here having the force of “guilty.” What Paul means is that it was obvious from Peter’s own actions that he was wrong (Knox “he stood self-condemned”). Since the mistake that Peter had made was not one of words but of actions, it may be important to translate “because what he did was wrong,” or “because it was clear that what he had done was not right.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .