SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 2:24

2:24a

But God raised Him from the dead: The Greek does not have the words from the dead. This clause implies that God raised Jesus from the tomb. It implies that Jesus was no longer dead. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

God raised him up (English Standard Version)
-or-
But God raised him from the tomb/grave

2:24b

releasing Him from the agony of death:
The Greek is literally “loosing/destroying/freeing the birth pains of death.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek words:

(1) “Jesus” should be supplied as to whom God freed. For example:

setting him free from its power (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)

(2) God ended the necessity of dying in agony without hope for what happens after death. God resurrected Jesus, and believers expect God to resurrect them as well. For example:

putting an end to the agony of death (New American Standard Bible)

(New American Standard Bible, God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

2:24c

it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches: This is a figure of speech. It indicates that it was not possible for Jesus to continue being dead. The figure of speech describes “death” as if it were an evil person trying to keep Jesus from escaping.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

it was not possible for him to remain dead
-or-
it was not possible for him to remain in the place of the dead
-or-
he could not be ruled/governed by death

• Refer more generally as to who is trying to hold Jesus. For example:

no one can possibly keep him in the place of the dead
-or-
it is impossible for ⌊anyone to cause⌋ him to remain dead

• Translate literally and explain in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

These words indicate that it was not possible for Jesus to continue being dead. The figure of speech describes death like being an evil person trying to keep Jesus from escaping.

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