Discovery BoxActs 3:12 
Context3:12 When Peter saw this, he declared to the people, “Men of Israel, 1 why are you amazed at this? Why 2 do you stare at us as if we had made this man 3 walk by our own power or piety?
Acts 5:38
Context5:38 So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people, 4 it will come to nothing, 5
Acts 9:2
Context9:2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues 6 in Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, 7 either men or women, he could bring them as prisoners 8 to Jerusalem. 9
Acts 13:15
Context13:15 After the reading from the law and the prophets, 10 the leaders of the synagogue 11 sent them a message, 12 saying, “Brothers, 13 if you have any message 14 of exhortation 15 for the people, speak it.” 16
Acts 15:29
Context15:29 that you abstain from meat that has been sacrificed to idols 17 and from blood and from what has been strangled 18 and from sexual immorality. 19 If you keep yourselves from doing these things, 20 you will do well. Farewell. 21
Acts 16:15
Context16:15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, 22 “If 23 you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, 24 come and stay in my house.” And she persuaded 25 us.
Acts 17:11
Context17:11 These Jews 26 were more open-minded 27 than those in Thessalonica, 28 for they eagerly 29 received 30 the message, examining 31 the scriptures carefully every day 32 to see if these things were so.
Acts 18:14
Context18:14 But just as Paul was about to speak, 33 Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or serious piece of villainy, 34 I would have been justified in accepting the complaint 35 of you Jews, 36
Acts 19:38
Context19:38 If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint 37 against someone, the courts are open 38 and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another there. 39
Acts 20:16
Context20:16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus 40 so as not to spend time 41 in the province of Asia, 42 for he was hurrying 43 to arrive in Jerusalem, 44 if possible, 45 by the day of Pentecost.
Acts 23:9
Context23:9 There was a great commotion, 46 and some experts in the law 47 from the party of the Pharisees stood up 48 and protested strongly, 49 “We find nothing wrong 50 with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
Acts 25:20
Context25:20 Because I was at a loss 51 how I could investigate these matters, 52 I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried 53 there on these charges. 54
Acts 26:5
Context26:5 They know, 55 because they have known 56 me from time past, 57 if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party 58 of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. 59
1 tn Or perhaps “People of Israel,” since this was taking place in Solomon’s Portico and women may have been present. The Greek ἄνδρες ᾿Ισραηλῖται (andre" Israhlitai) used in the plural would normally mean “men, gentlemen” (BDAG 79 s.v. ἀνήρ 1.a).
2 tn Grk “or why.”
3 tn Grk “him”; the referent (the man) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 tn Here ἀνθρώπων (anqrwpwn) has been translated as a generic noun (“people”).
5 tn Or “it will be put to an end.”
6 sn See the note on synagogue in 6:9.
7 sn The expression “the way” in ancient religious literature refers at times to “the whole way of life fr. a moral and spiritual viewpoint” (BDAG 692 s.v. ὁδός 3.c), and it has been so used of Christianity and its teachings in the book of Acts (see also 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). It is a variation of Judaism’s idea of two ways, the true and the false, where “the Way” is the true one (1 En. 91:18; 2 En. 30:15).
8 tn Grk “bring them bound”; the translation “bring someone as prisoner” for δεδεμένον ἄγειν τινά (dedemenon agein tina) is given by BDAG 221 s.v. δέω 1.b.
9 sn From Damascus to Jerusalem was a six-day journey. Christianity had now expanded into Syria.
map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
10 sn After the reading from the law and the prophets. In the 1st century Jewish synagogue, it was customary after the reading of the Torah (law) and prophets for men to give exhortation from the scriptures.
11 tn Normally ἀρχισυνάγωγος (arcisunagwgo") refers to the “president of a synagogue” (so BDAG 139 s.v. and L&N 53.93). Since the term is plural here, however, and it would sound strange to the English reader to speak of “the presidents of the synagogue,” the alternative translation “leaders” is used. “Rulers” would also be acceptable, but does not convey quite the same idea.
12 tn Grk “sent to them”; the word “message” is an understood direct object. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
13 tn Grk “Men brothers,” but this is both awkward and unnecessary in English.
14 tn Or “word.”
15 tn Or “encouragement.”
16 tn Or “give it.”
17 tn There is no specific semantic component in the Greek word εἰδωλόθυτος that means “meat” (see BDAG 280 s.v. εἰδωλόθυτος; L&N 5.15). The stem –θυτος means “sacrifice” (referring to an animal sacrificially killed) and thereby implies meat.
18 tc Codex Bezae (D) and a few other witnesses lack the restriction “and from what has been strangled” (καὶ πνικτῶν, kai pniktwn), though the words are supported by a wide variety of early and important witnesses otherwise and should be considered authentic.
sn What has been strangled. That is, to refrain from eating animals that had been killed without having the blood drained from them. According to the Mosaic law (Lev 17:13-14), Jews were forbidden to eat flesh with the blood still in it (note the preceding provision in this verse, and from blood).
19 tc Codex Bezae (D) as well as 323 614 945 1739 1891 sa and other witnesses have after “sexual immorality” the following statement: “And whatever you do not want to happen to yourselves, do not do to another/others.” By adding this negative form of the Golden Rule, these witnesses effectively change the Apostolic Decree from what might be regarded as ceremonial restrictions into more ethical demands. The issues here are quite complicated, and beyond the scope of this brief note. Suffice it to say that D and its allies here are almost surely an expansion and alteration of the original text of Acts. For an excellent discussion of the exegetical and textual issues, see TCGNT 379-83.
20 tn Grk “from which things keeping yourselves.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (ὧν, |wn) has been replaced by a pronoun (“these things”) and a new English sentence begun. The participle διατηροῦντες (diathrounte") has been translated as a conditional adverbial participle (“if you keep yourselves”). See further L&N 13.153.
21 tn The phrase ἔρρωσθε (errwsqe) may be understood as a stock device indicating a letter is complete (“good-bye,” L&N 33.24) or as a sincere wish that the persons involved may fare well (“may you fare well,” L&N 23.133).
22 tn Grk “urged us, saying.” The participle λέγουσα (legousa) is redundant in English and has not been translated.
23 tn This is a first class condition in Greek, with the statement presented as real or true for the sake of the argument.
24 tn Or “faithful to the Lord.” BDAG 821 s.v. πίστος 2 states concerning this verse, “Of one who confesses the Christian faith believing or a believer in the Lord, in Christ, in God πιστ. τῷ κυρίῳ Ac 16:15.” L&N 11.17 has “one who is included among the faithful followers of Christ – ‘believer, Christian, follower.’”
25 tn Although BDAG 759 s.v. παραβιάζομαι has “urge strongly, prevail upon,” in contemporary English “persuade” is a more frequently used synonym for “prevail upon.”
26 tn Grk “These”; the referent (the Jews in the synagogue at Berea) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
27 tn Or “more willing to learn.” L&N 27.48 and BDAG 404 s.v. εὐγενής 2 both use the term “open-minded” here. The point is that they were more receptive to Paul’s message.
28 sn Thessalonica was a city in Macedonia (modern Salonica).
map For location see JP1 C1; JP2 C1; JP3 C1; JP4 C1.
29 tn Or “willingly,” “readily”; Grk “with all eagerness.”
30 tn Grk “who received.” Here the relative pronoun (“who”) has been translated as a pronoun (“they”) preceded by a semicolon, which is less awkward in contemporary English than a relative clause at this point.
31 tn This verb (BDAG 66 s.v. ἀνακρίνω 1) refers to careful examination.
32 tn BDAG 437 s.v. ἡμέρα 2.c has “every day” for this phrase in this verse.
33 tn Grk “about to open his mouth” (an idiom).
34 tn BDAG 902 s.v. ῥᾳδιούργημα states, “From the sense ‘prank, knavery, roguish trick, slick deed’ it is but a short step to that of a serious misdeed, crime, villainy…a serious piece of villainy Ac 18:14 (w. ἀδίκημα).”
35 tn According to BDAG 78 s.v. ἀνέχω 3 this is a legal technical term: “Legal t.t. κατὰ λόγον ἂν ἀνεσχόμην ὑμῶν I would have been justified in accepting your complaint Ac 18:14.”
36 tn Grk “accepting your complaint, O Jews.”
37 tn BDAG 600 s.v. λόγος 1.a.ε has “ἔχειν πρός τινα λόγον have a complaint against someone…19:38.”
38 tn L&N 56.1 has ‘if Demetrius and his workers have an accusation against someone, the courts are open’ Ac 19:38.”
39 tn The word “there” is not in the Greek text but is implied. The official’s request is that the legal system be respected.
40 map For location see JP1 D2; JP2 D2; JP3 D2; JP4 D2.
41 tn Grk “so that he might not have to spend time.” L&N 67.79 has “ὅπως μὴ γένηται αὐτῷ χρονοτριβῆσαι ἐν τῇ ᾿Ασίᾳ ‘so as not to spend any time in the province of Asia’ Ac 20:16.”
42 tn 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.
43 tn Or “was eager.”
44 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
45 tn Grk “if it could be to him” (an idiom).
46 tn Or “clamor” (cf. BDAG 565 s.v. κραυγή 1.a, which has “there arose a loud outcry” here, and Exod 12:30).
47 tn Or “and some scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 4:5.
48 tn Grk “standing up.” The participle ἀναστάντες (anastante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
49 tn Grk “protested strongly, saying.” L&N 39.27 has “διαμάχομαι: to fight or contend with, involving severity and thoroughness – ‘to protest strongly, to contend with.’…‘some scribes from the party of the Pharisees protested strongly’ Ac 23:9.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant and has not been translated.
50 sn “We find nothing wrong with this man.” Here is another declaration of innocence. These leaders recognized the possibility that Paul might have the right to make his claim.
51 tn Or “Because I was undecided.” Grk “Being at a loss.” The participle ἀπορούμενος (aporoumeno") has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.
52 tn L&N 27.34 states, “ἀπορούμενος δὲ ἐγὼ τὴν περὶ τούτων ζήτησιν ‘I was undecided about how I could get information on these matters’ Ac 25:20. The clause ‘about how I could get information on these matters’ may also be rendered as ‘about how I should try to find out about these matters’ or ‘about how I could learn about these matters.’”
53 tn Or “stand trial.”
54 tn Grk “on these things.”
55 tn These words are repeated from v. 4 (“all the Jews know”). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, it was necessary to begin a new sentence at the beginning of v. 5 in the translation, but for this to make sense, the main verb ἵσασι ({isasi) has to be repeated to connect with the ὅτι (Joti) clause (indirect discourse) in v. 5.
56 tn Grk “having known me from time past.” The participle προγινώσκοντες (proginwskonte") has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.
57 tn BDAG 866 s.v. προγινώσκω 2 has “Know from time past…προγινώσκοντές με ἄνωθεν Ac 26:5.” L&N 28.6 states, “‘they have already known me beforehand, if they are willing to testify’ Ac 26:5.”
58 tn That is, strictest religious party. “Party” alone is used in the translation because “the strictest religious party of our religion” would be redundant.
