Acts 1:1

Jesus Ascends to Heaven

1:1 I wrote ¹  the former ²  account, ³  Theophilus, ⁴  about all that Jesus began to do and teach

Acts 23:26

23:26 Claudius Lysias to His Excellency Governor ⁵  Felix, ⁶  greetings.

Acts 24:3

24:3 Most excellent Felix, ⁷  we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way ⁸  with all gratitude. ⁹ 

Acts 26:25

26:25 But Paul replied, ¹⁰  “I have not lost my mind, most excellent Festus, ¹¹  but am speaking ¹²  true and rational ¹³  words.

[1:1]  ¹ tn Or “produced,” Grk “made.”

[1:1]  ² tn Or “first.” The translation “former” is preferred because “first” could imply to the modern English reader that the author means that his previous account was the first one to be written down. The Greek term πρῶτος (prwtos) does not necessarily mean “first” in an absolute sense, but can refer to the first in a set or series. That is what is intended here – the first account (known as the Gospel of Luke) as compared to the second one (known as Acts).

[1:1]  ³ tn The Greek word λόγος (logos) is sometimes translated “book” (NRSV, NIV) or “treatise” (KJV). A formal, systematic treatment of a subject is implied, but the word “book” may be too specific and slightly misleading to the modern reader, so “account” has been used.

[1:1]  ⁴ tn Grk “O Theophilus,” but the usage of the vocative in Acts with ὦ (w) is unemphatic, following more the classical idiom (see ExSyn 69).

[23:26]  ⁵ tn Grk “Procurator.” The official Roman title has been translated as “governor” (BDAG 433 s.v. ἡγεμών 2).

[23:26]  ⁶ sn Governor Felix. See the note on Felix in v. 24.

[24:3]  ⁷ sn Most excellent Felix. See the note on Felix in 23:24.

[24:3]  ⁸ tn Grk “in every way and everywhere.”

[24:3]  ⁹ tn Or “with complete thankfulness.” BDAG 416 s.v. εὐχαριστία 1 has “μετὰ πάσης εὐ.…with all gratitude Ac 24:3.” L&N 31.26 has “‘we acknowledge this anywhere and everywhere with complete thankfulness’ Ac 24:3.”

[26:25]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “said.”

[26:25]  ¹¹ sn See the note on Porcius Festus in 24:27.

[26:25]  ¹² tn Or “declaring.” BDAG 125 s.v. ἀποφθέγγομαι states, “speak out, declare boldly or loudly…τὶ: σωφροσύνης ῥήματα Ac 26:25.”

[26:25]  ¹³ tn BDAG 987 s.v. σωφροσύνη 1 has “gener. soundness of mind, reasonableness, rationality…ἀληθείας καὶ σωφροσύνης ῥήματα true and rational words (opp. μαίνομαι) Ac 26:25.”