43-00
The Church Begins
This title can also be translated as: “About how the Church began” or “How did the Church begin?”
43-01
After Jesus returned to heaven, the disciples stayed in Jerusalem
The connecting word After introduces a sequential clause. First Jesus returned to heaven. Then the disciples waited in Jerusalem. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])
After Jesus returned to heaven, the disciples stayed in Jerusalem
This introduces a new event. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])
returned to heaven
This could mean went back to heaven.
stayed in Jerusalem
This could mean stayed in Jerusalem for a while. They didn’t stay there permanently.
43-02
Every year, 50 days after the Passover, the Jews celebrated an important day called Pentecost. Pentecost was a time when the Jews celebrated the wheat harvest. Jews came from all over the world to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost together.
This is background information about Pentecost. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]])
Pentecost
Pentecost means fiftieth (day). You could use the word Pentecost in your translation and let the text explain the meaning. Or you could use a term that means 50th day.
celebrated the wheat harvest
The Jews would thank God for the wheat harvest by bringing offerings and celebrate by having special meals. Wheat is a grain crop; if you have no word that means wheat, you can use a more general word for grain. This happened in May; other crops were harvested at other times of the year.
This year, the time for Pentecost came about a week after Jesus had gone back to heaven.
This introduces a new event. It is now the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])
This year
This could mean In the year that Jesus died.
43-03
While the believers were all together
The word While introduces a simultaneous clause. The two events happened at the same time—the believers were together, and there was a sound like a strong wind. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous/01.md]])
a sound like a strong wind
This could mean a noise that a strong wind makes or the sound that the wind makes when it blows hard.
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The Holy Spirit filled all of those who were there” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-activepassive/01.md]])
filled with the Holy Spirit
This could mean given ability by the Holy Spirit or given power by the Holy Spirit.
in other languages
This could be translated as: “in languages other than their own language” or “in foreign languages” or “as people from other places speak.” The believers did not know these languages until the Holy Spirit gave them the power to speak them. Make sure the word used to translate languages refers to languages people actually speak and understand. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])
43-04
a crowd
This could be translated as: “a crowd of people” or “a large group of people.”
43-05
But Peter stood up and said to them
The connecting word But introduces a contrast relationship. People said the disciples were drunk. But if they were drunk, you would not expect Peter to stand up and speak rationally and with authority. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])
Listen to me!
Peter stated this command in order to cause the crowd to pay close attention to what he was going to tell them.
Joel
Joel was a prophet in Israel who lived hundreds of years before this happened.
God said, ‘In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit.’
This is a quotation within a quotation. The entire quotation can be restated so that this portion is an indirect quotation: “God said that in the last days, he would pour out his Spirit.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotesinquotes/01.md]])
the last days
This refers to the final days before the end of the world.
I will pour out my Spirit
Here pour out is an idiom that means to give generously and abundantly. Alternate translation: “I will give my Spirit abundantly to all people” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-idiom/01.md]])
my Spirit
This could mean my Holy Spirit.
43-06
General Information
Peter continues preaching to the crowd.
Men of Israel
For some languages, it is better to say: “People of Israel” for it to be clear that this included men and women. This could also be translated as: “My fellow people of Israel” or “My fellow Jews” to make it clear that Peter was also a Jew and belonged to the “people of Israel.”
But you crucified him!
Peter used this exclamation to strongly accuse the people in the crowd of murdering Jesus, the Messiah whom God had sent to them. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
But you crucified him
The connecting word But introduces a contrast relationship. Jesus did many wonderful things, so you would expect people to recognize that he was sent from God. Instead, they crucified him. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])
you crucified him!
This could also be translated as: “you caused him to be crucified” or “because of you, he was crucified.” The Jews did not actually nail Jesus to the cross. However, the Jewish leaders caused him to be condemned and many of the people in the crowd had shouted for him to be crucified.
43-07
General Information
Peter continues preaching to the crowd.
what a prophet wrote: ‘You will not let your Holy One rot in the grave.’
This is a quotation within a quotation. The entire quotation can be restated so that this portion is an indirect quotation: “what a prophet wrote, that you would not let your Holy One rot in the grave.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotesinquotes/01.md]])
You will not let your
You and your refer to God the Father. To make that clear, this could be translated as: “You, God, will not let your.” Some languages may have a special way of addressing someone, such as: “You, O God.”
rot in the grave
This could mean decay in the tomb or decompose in the grave. This refers to the fact that Jesus did not remain in the tomb very long. It is another way of saying that he did not stay dead, but rather, came back to life again.
We are witnesses
The word We refers to the disciples and those that witnessed the risen Jesus after his death. It does not include the people in the crowd. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclusive/01.md]])
raised Jesus to life again
This could mean made Jesus alive again.
43-08
General Information
Peter continues preaching to the crowd.
God the Father
This is an important title for God. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples/01.md]])
at his right hand
This phrase is an idiom that refers to the highest place of honor and authority. Alternate translation: “in the most important position “ or “in the place of highest honor.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-idiom/01.md]])
causing
This could mean enabling the believers to do or giving these people the power to do.
43-09
General Information
Peter continues preaching to the crowd.
But know for certain that
This phrase indicates contrast relationship. The Jews killed Jesus, but God did the opposite—he made Jesus the lord of everything! (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])
43-10
deeply moved by
This could mean very troubled by or felt very sad when they heard. To be moved is to feel strong emotions.
So they asked
The connecting word So connects the reason (they were deeply moved), with the result (they asked Peter and the disciples what they should do). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])
Brothers
This was a normal way for a Jew to address fellow Jews. It could also be translated as: “Friends.”
43-11
So repent and be baptized
The word So introduces a goal relationship. The people should repent and be baptized because they want to be forgiven of their sins. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal/01.md]])
be baptized
This can be stated in active form: “allow us to baptize you” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-activepassive/01.md]])
in the name of
This phrase means both, by the authority of and, under the authority of. Consider translating the word name literally if it will be understood in this way in your language.
Christ
This is the same meaning as Messiah. It could be translated as: “Anointed One” or “Chosen One.” Instead of translating the meaning, some translators may choose to keep the word Christ and spell it using the sounds in their own language.
Jesus Christ
Since Christ is a title here, some translators may choose to change the order and say: “Christ Jesus.” Both orders are used in the Bible.
Then God will also give you the Holy Spirit as a gift
The connecting word Then introduces a reason and result relationship. The reason was because they had repented and had been forgiven of their sins, and the result is they would also receive the Holy Spirit. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])
43-12
They were baptized
This can be stated in active form: “people baptized them” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-activepassive/01.md]])
43-13
thought well of them
This could mean had a positive opinion of them.
A Bible story from
These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.