2:19 And I will perform wonders in the sky 4 above
and miraculous signs 5 on the earth below,
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
2:20 The sun will be changed to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the great and glorious 6 day of the Lord comes.
1 tn Grk “And this.” 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.
2 sn Their own language refers to Aramaic, the primary language spoken in Palestine in Jesus’ day.
3 tn Grk “that field was called.” The passive voice has been converted to active in the translation in keeping with contemporary English style.
4 tn Or “in the heaven.” The Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated “sky” or “heaven” depending on the context. Here, in contrast to “the earth below,” a reference to the sky is more likely.
5 tn Here the context indicates the miraculous nature of the signs mentioned; this is made explicit in the translation.
6 tn Or “and wonderful.”
7 sn Now Paul referred to Stephen as your witness, and he himself had also become a witness. The reversal was now complete; the opponent had now become a proponent.
8 sn When the blood of your witness Stephen was shed means “when your witness Stephen was murdered.”
9 tn Grk “and approving.” This 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.
10 tn Or “outer garments.”
sn The cloaks. The outer garment, or cloak, was taken off and laid aside to leave the arms free (in this case for throwing stones).
11 tn Or “who were putting him to death.” For the translation of ἀναιρούντων (anairountwn) as “putting to death” see BDAG 64 s.v. ἀναιρέω 2.