Translation commentary on Acts 16:10

We got ready to leave for Macedonia begins a series of “we” sections in which the author explicitly includes himself in the narrative. This particular section goes through verse 17, and it is assumed that the author was also present in Philippi for the remainder of Paul’s stay there. When Paul leaves Philippi, however, the author does not appear to be in the group (see v. 40, they … left).

In some languages it is necessary to stipulate the kind of transportation which is implied in a word such as to leave—in this case, “to go by boat.”

As in so many passages, one must be careful in translating called. In this instance there is no physical “calling,” but rather guidance and instruction. It is for this reason that in some languages one must translate “God had instructed us to preach” or “God had shown us that we should preach.”

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 16:10

16:10a–b

As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave: They may have waited until morning to get ready. But they may have packed their things and left immediately to find a ship, because ships often left very early in the morning. For example:

As soon as Paul had this vision, we got ready (Good News Translation)

16:10b

we: This pronoun probably indicates that Luke now joined Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

If this change from “they” (16:8) to we is confusing to readers in your language, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

At this time Luke joined Paul, Silas, and Timothy. So Luke, as the author of Acts, started writing “we.”

16:10c

concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them: This clause indicates the reason for leaving at once. For example:

because we decided that God had called us to preach the Good News to the people there (Good News Translation)

God had called us to preach the gospel: The verb called indicates that God told them to preach the gospel in Macedonia. Other ways to translate this clause are:

God had summoned us to preach the gospel
-or-
God had instructed us to preach the gospel
-or-
God wanted us to preach the gospel

gospel: This refers to the message about Jesus Christ. See how you translated this word in 8:40 or 15:7.

General Comment on 16:10b–c

16:10c indicates the reason for Paul and his companions to leave at once (16:10b). In some languages it is necessary or more natural to have the reason first. For example:

10cwe concluded that God had called us to preach the gospel to them, so 10bwe got ready at once to leave for Macedonia

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