council

The Greek that is translated as “council” or “Council” in English is (back-) translated in a variety of ways:

complete verse (Acts 23:28)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 23:28:

  • Uma: “Since I wanted to know what they accused him of, that’s why I took him before the Yahudi judges to be examined.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “I wanted to know what they were accusing him of, so I brought him before their council members.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Since I was finding out what it was that they were accusing him of, I brought him to the gathering of their elders.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I wanted to find-out what their accusation against him was, so I took-him to their leaders.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well, since I wanted to comprehend what evil he had done for which the Jews were bringing a case against him, I stood him in the presence of their leaders who are the members of the Sanedrin.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 23:28

The phrase rendered what they were accusing him of may possibly be taken with another meaning, but most translators apparently understand it as a reference to the charges made against Paul.

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 23:28

23:28a

their charges against him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as charges means “cause,” “reason,” “charge,” or “accusation.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

the reason they were accusing him
-or-
the basis of the accusations against him (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
what they were saying he had done wrong

23:28b

brought him down: The Sanhedrin meeting hall was downhill from the Roman barracks. In some languages including down would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, translate as the New International Version does.

brought him

their Sanhedrin: The word Sanhedrin is a Greek word that means “council.” Here this phrase refers to the Jewish high council. See how you translated the word Sanhedrin in 4:15 or 23:20.

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