46-00

Saul Becomes a follower of Jesus

This title can also be translated as: “About how Saul became a follower of Christ” or “How did Saul become a follower of Christ?”

46-01

There was a man named Saul who did not believe in Jesus

This introduces Saul as a new character in the story. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-participants/01.md]])

When he was a young man, he guarded the robes of the men who killed Stephen

This is background information about Saul. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]])

guarded the robes of the men who killed Stephen

See 45:06.

from house to house

This could mean into many houses.

to arrest both men and women

This refers to men and women who believed in Jesus. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])

Damascus

Damascus is now the capital of the country of Syria. During Saul’s time, it was a city belonging to the Roman Empire. Most of the people there were not Jewish, but there were some Jews and also some followers of Jesus living there.

to bring them back to Jerusalem

Paul’s purpose can be made clear by adding “so that the Jewish leaders could judge and punish them.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])

46-02

Just before he reached the city

This is an expression that marks a change in the story to show something different is about to happen. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])

Why are you persecuting me?

This rhetorical question communicates a rebuke to Saul. In some languages a statement would be more natural. Alternate translation: “You are persecuting me!” or a command “Stop persecuting me!” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-rquestion/01.md]])

46-03

Saul did not eat or drink anything for three days

It is not stated whether he chose not to eat or drink as a form of worship, or if he had no appetite because he was too distressed from his situation. It is preferable not to specify the reason. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases/01.md]])

46-04

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias

This introduces Ananias as a new character in the story. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-participants/01.md]])

But Ananias said

If it is not clear why the word But is used here, this could be translated as: “But Ananias was afraid, so he said.”

God answered him

This could be translated as: “To reassure Ananias, God said” to make clear why God said this.

Go!

This is a command and also an exclamation. God is emphasizing that Ananias should stop objecting and go to Saul as God instructed him to do. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

to declare my name

This could mean to teach about me or to make me known.

for my name

Here “my name” is a metonym that refers to Jesus. Saul will suffer many things because he will tell people about Jesus. Alternate translation: “for me” or “because of me” or “because he serves me” or “because he teaches others about me.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metonymy/01.md]])

46-05

placed his hands on him

Ananias put his hands on Saul. This was a symbol of giving a blessing to Saul. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-symaction/01.md]])

here

This could mean to Damascus.

Immediately

This introduces a simultaneous clause. Saul was able to see as soon as Ananias touched him. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous/01.md]])

46-06

Right away

This introduces a new event. This can also be translated as: “Immediately” or “Then.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])

Son of God

This is an important title for Jesus. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples/01.md]])

because Saul had tried to kill believers

The connecting word because connects the reason (the change in Saul, that he had tried to kill people who believed in Jesus, and now he himself believed in Jesus), with the result (the Jews were amazed). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

argued with the Jews

This could also be translated as: “gave the Jews good reasons for believing in Jesus” or “spoke persuasively with the Jews.”

46-07

After many days

This introduces a new event. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])

the Jews made a plan to kill Saul

Here the Jews refers to the leaders of the Jews. Alternate translation: “the Jewish leaders” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-synecdoche/01.md]])

to watch for him at the city gates

The gates were the only normal way into or out of the walled cities. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])

lowered him over the city wall in a basket

Another way to say this would be: “helped him get into a large basket and lowered the basket with him in it over the city wall.”

46-08

Saul went to Jerusalem

This introduces a new event. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])

but they were afraid of him

The connecting word but introduces a contrast relationship. Saul was now a disciple so you would expect the apostles would want to meet with him, but instead they were afraid. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

accepted Saul

This could mean believed that Saul also was a believer in Jesus.

46-09

the city of Antioch

This was an ancient city located in what is now the southernmost tip of the modern country of Turkey, near its border with Syria and close to the Mediterranean Sea. It was about 450 miles northwest of Jerusalem.

to strengthen the church

This could also be translated as: “to help the church to grow strong spiritually” or “to help the believers in Jesus to grow strong in their faith” or “to help the people to believe more firmly in Jesus.”

believers in Jesus were first called “Christians.”

This implies that other people called the believers by this name. This can be stated in active form: “The people of Antioch first called the believers in Jesus ‘Christians’.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-activepassive/01.md]])

46-10

One day

This phrase introduces an event that happened in the past, but does not state the specific time. Many languages have a similar way to begin telling a true story. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])

Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do the work I have called them to do.

This sentence could also be translated as: “Appoint Paul and Barnabas to do the special work I have chosen them to do.”

the church

This could also be translated as: “the believers” or “the followers of Jesus.”

placed their hands on them

This act showed that the leaders agreed that the Holy Spirit had called Barnabas and Saul to do this work. This could also be translated as: “blessed them with the power and authority of the Holy Spirit by putting their hands on them” or “put their hands on them as a sign of their unity in the Spirit.” Some languages may have to say where they placed their hands. If so, you could say they placed their hands on their head, shoulder or back. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-symaction/01.md]])

sent them out

This could mean sent them away or sent them on their journey.

A Bible story from

These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.