In the expression shirts and coats, the first word describes the garment which was worn next to the body, while the second term refers to the outer garment (the same word as was used in 7.58). Shirt and coat (see New English Bible and An American Translation*) seem to be the nearest natural equivalents in modern English. On the other hand, it is important not to employ terms which only designate clothing worn by men. After all, the clothing was most certainly for the widows.

Was alive is the meaning of “while she was with them.”

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 .