After the people had left the meeting translates the literal expression “after the synagogue (meeting) had broken up” (see An American Translation* “after the congregation had broken up”). It is most important that this particular expression after the people had left the meeting be related to the earlier temporal expression beginning in verse 42 as Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue. In verse 42 one must indicate clearly that all the participants are still in the synagogue or at least on the way out of it. In verse 43 all the participants have left the synagogue and are now going to their homes.

Were followed by must be rendered in a number of languages as “accompanied by,” since all the participants in this event were able to talk with one another.

The phrase Gentiles converted to Judaism (Greek, “proselytes”) is slightly different from the one appearing in verses 16 and 26, Gentiles here who worship God. This phrase, though appearing only here in Acts, is to be differentiated from the other in that this one describes Gentiles who had become full converts to Judaism. The former term describes Gentiles who had not become full converts, that is, they had not accepted circumcision, but who felt a close attachment to the God of the Jews and to the Jewish form of worship. In rendering Gentiles converted to Judaism one can simply say “Gentiles who had become Jews” or as in some languages, “Gentiles who had made themselves Jews.”

Apostles translates a pronoun (literally “they”), and refers back to Paul and Barnabas.

The expression rendered keep on living in the grace of God may be variously interpreted. Keep on living, for example, may also represent in Greek the meaning of “rely upon,” “to continue reliance upon,” or “to hold fast to.” The emphasis is upon their continuing their relationship to the goodness of God, “urged them to continue to rely on the goodness of God.” One might even say “to continue to trust in the goodness of God.” If one is to preserve the concept of living one may translate “keep on living in dependence on the goodness of God.” In this verse the term grace is not to be understood in any special technical sense in contrast with the Law, but is simply a reference to the nature of the Good News which comes to man as an expression of God’s grace or goodness. However, the term “goodness” must be understood not as a particular inherent quality of God but as the way in which he manifests himself toward men, that is, in showing favor and goodness to them even though they do not deserve it.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .