Acts 1:19

1:19 This ¹  became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so that in their own language ²  they called that field ³  Hakeldama, that is, “Field of Blood.”)

Acts 2:6

2:6 When this sound ⁴  occurred, a crowd gathered and was in confusion, ⁵  because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

Acts 14:11

14:11 So when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted ⁶  in the Lycaonian language, ⁷  “The gods have come down to us in human form!” ⁸ 

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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 “this noise.”

⁵ tn Or “was bewildered.”

⁶ tn Grk “they lifted up their voice” (an idiom).

⁷ tn Grk “in Lycaonian, saying.” The word “language” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in English and has not been translated.

⁸ tn So BDAG 707 s.v. ὁμοιόω 1. However, L&N 64.4 takes the participle ὁμοιωθέντες (Jomoiwqente") as an adjectival participle modifying θεοί (qeoi): “the gods resembling men have come down to us.”

sn The gods have come down to us in human form. Greek culture spoke of “divine men.” In this region there was a story of Zeus and Hermes visiting the area (Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.611-725). The locals failed to acknowledge them, so judgment followed. The present crowd was determined not to make the mistake a second time.