translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: ACT

label: NET translator note

text: Grk “these.” The translation uses “those” for stylistic reasons.


text: Grk “were multiplying.”


text: Grk “the Hellenists,” but this descriptive term is largely unknown to the modern English reader. The translation “Greek-speaking Jews” attempts to convey something of who these were, but it was more than a matter of language spoken; it involved a degree of adoption of Greek culture as well. sn The Greek-speaking Jews were the Hellenists, Jews who to a greater or lesser extent had adopted Greek thought, customs, and lifestyle, as well as the Greek language. The city of Alexandria in Egypt was a focal point for them, but they were scattered throughout the Roman Empire.


text: Grk “against the Hebrews,” but as with “Hellenists” this needs further explanation for the modern reader.


text: Or “neglected.”


text: Grk “in the daily serving.” sn The daily distribution of food. The early church saw it as a responsibility to meet the basic needs of people in their group.


text: Grk “calling the whole group…together, said.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενοι ( proskalesamenoi ) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.


text: Or “the multitude.”


text: Grk “to serve tables.”


text: It is not clear from a historical standpoint (but it is unlikely) that women would have been involved in the selection process too. For this reason the translation “brothers” has been retained, rather than “brothers and sisters” (used in contexts where both male and female believers are clearly addressed).


text: Or “are of good reputation” (BDAG 618 s.v. μαρτυρέω 2.b).


text: The translation “ put in charge ” is given by BDAG 492 s.v. καθίστημι 2.


text: Grk “of this need”; translated “necessary work” or “needed task” by L&N 42.22.


text: Grk “And the.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί ( kai ) has not been translated here.


text: The translation “so” has been used to indicate the logical sequence in English.


text: “With” is smoother English style for an addition like this. Because of differences between Greek and English style, καί ( kai ), which occurs between each name in the list, has not been translated except preceding the last element.


text: Or “a proselyte.”


text: For location see JP1-F2 ; JP2-F2 ; JP3-F2 ; JP4-F2 .


text: Literally this is a participle in the Greek text ( προσευξάμενοι , proseuxamenoi ). It could be translated as a finite verb (“and they prayed and placed their hands on them”) but much smoother English results if the entire coordinate clause is converted to a relative clause that refers back to the apostles. sn Who prayed. The prayer indicates their acceptance and commissioning for ministry (cf. Deut 34:9 ).


text: Or “laid.”


text: Grk “kept on spreading”; the verb has been translated as a progressive imperfect.


text: For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


text: Grk “a great multitude.” sn A large group. Many Jews, even some religious leaders, were responding.


text: The miraculous nature of these signs is implied in the context. Here the work of miracles extends beyond the Twelve for the first time.


text: Grk “the so-called Synagogue of the Freedmen.” The translation of the participle λεγομένης ( legomenh" ) by the phrase “as it was called” is given by L&N 87.86. “Freedmen” would be slaves who had gained their freedom, or the descendants of such people (BDAG 594-95 s.v. Λιβερτῖνος ).


text: Grk “Asia”; in the NT this always refers to the Roman province of Asia, made up of about one-third of the west and southwest end of modern Asia Minor. Asia lay to the west of the region of Phrygia and Galatia. The words “the province of” are supplied to indicate to the modern reader that this does not refer to the continent of Asia.


text: Grk “and.” The context, however, indicates that the conjunction carries an adversative force.


text: Another translation would be “they suborned” (but this term is not in common usage). “ Instigate (secretly), suborn ” is given by BDAG 1036 s.v. ὑποβάλλω .


text: Grk “heard him”; but since this is direct discourse, it is more natural (and clearer) to specify the referent (Stephen) as “this man.”


text: Grk “and the,” but καί ( kai ) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.


text: Or “and the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 4:5 .


text: Grk “approaching, they seized him”; the referent (Stephen) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


text: Or “the Sanhedrin” (the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews). Stephen suffers just as Peter and John did.


text: Or “practices.” sn Will destroy this place and change the customs. Stephen appears to view the temple as a less central place in light of Christ’s work, an important challenge to Jewish religion, since it was at this time a temple-centered state and religion. Unlike Acts 3-4 , the issue here is more than Jesus and his resurrection. Now the impact of his resurrection and the temple’s centrality has also become an issue. The “falseness” of the charge may not be that the witnesses were lying, but that they falsely read the truth of Stephen’s remarks.


text: Grk “And all.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί ( kai ) has not been translated here.


text: Or “Sanhedrin” (the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).


text: Grk “at him”; the referent (Stephen) has been specified in the translation for clarity.