Discovery BoxActs 4:17 
Context4:17 But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more 1 to anyone in this name.”
Acts 8:16
Context8:16 (For the Spirit 2 had not yet come upon 3 any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 4
Acts 15:28
Context15:28 For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us 5 not to place any greater burden on you than these necessary rules: 6
Acts 24:4
Context24:4 But so that I may not delay 7 you any further, I beg 8 you to hear us briefly 9 with your customary graciousness. 10
Acts 24:23
Context24:23 He ordered the centurion 11 to guard Paul, 12 but to let him have some freedom, 13 and not to prevent any of his friends 14 from meeting his needs. 15
Acts 28:21
Context28:21 They replied, 16 “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers come from there 17 and reported or said anything bad about you.
1 tn Or “speak no longer.”
2 tn Grk “For he”; the referent (the Spirit) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Or “fallen on.”
4 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.
5 tn This is the same expression translated “decided” in Acts 15:22, 25. BDAG 255 s.v. δοκέω 2.b.β lists “decide” as a possible gloss for this verse, and this translation would be consistent with the translation of the same expression in Acts 15:22, 25. However, the unusually awkward “the Holy Spirit and we have decided” would result. Given this approach, it would be more natural in English to say “We and the Holy Spirit have decided,” but changing the order removes the emphasis the Greek text gives to the Holy Spirit. Thus, although the similarity to the phrases in 15:22, 25 is obscured, it is better to use the alternate translation “it seems best to me” (also given by BDAG): “it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us.” Again the scope of agreement is highlighted.
6 tn L&N 71.39 translates “indispensable (rules)” while BDAG 358 s.v. ἐπάναγκες has “the necessary things.”
7 tn Or “may not weary.” BDAG 274 s.v. ἐγκόπτω states, “ἵνα μὴ ἐπὶ πλεῖόν σε ἐγκόπτω Ac 24:4 is understood by Syr. and Armen. versions to mean in order not to weary you any further; cp. ἔγκοπος weary Diog. L. 4, 50; LXX; and ἔγκοπον ποιεῖν to weary Job 19:2; Is 43:23. But impose on is also prob.; detain NRSV.”
8 tn Or “request.”
9 tn This term is another NT hapax legomenon (BDAG 976 s.v. συντόμως 2). Tertullus was asking for a brief hearing, and implying to the governor that he would speak briefly and to the point.
10 tn BDAG 371 s.v. ἐπιείκεια has “τῇ σῇ ἐ. with your (customary) indulgence Ac 24:4.”
11 sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.
12 tn Grk “that he was to be guarded.” The passive construction (τηρεῖσθαι, threisqai) has been converted to an active one in parallel with the following clauses, and the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
13 tn BDAG 77 s.v. ἄνεσις 1 states, “lit. relaxation of custodial control, some liberty, ἀ. ἔχειν have some freedom Ac 24:23.”
14 tn Grk “any of his own” (this could also refer to relatives).
15 tn Grk “from serving him.”
16 tn Grk “they said to him.”
17 tn Or “arrived”; Grk “come” (“from there” is implied). Grk “coming.” The participle παραγενόμενος (paragenomeno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
