Acts 2:22-24

2:22 “Men of Israel, ¹  listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man clearly attested to you by God with powerful deeds, ²  wonders, and miraculous signs ³  that God performed among you through him, just as you yourselves know – 2:23 this man, who was handed over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you executed ⁴  by nailing him to a cross at the hands of Gentiles. ⁵  2:24 But God raised him up, ⁶  having released ⁷  him from the pains ⁸  of death, because it was not possible for him to be held in its power. ⁹ 

[2:22]  ¹ tn Or “Israelite men,” although this is less natural English. The Greek term here is ἀνήρ (anhr), which only exceptionally is used in a generic sense of both males and females. In this context, it is conceivable that this is a generic usage, although it can also be argued that Peter’s remarks were addressed primarily to the men present, even if women were there.

[2:22]  ² tn Or “miraculous deeds.”

[2:22]  ³ tn Again, the context indicates the miraculous nature of these signs, and this is specified in the translation.

[2:23]  ⁴ tn Or “you killed.”

[2:23]  ⁵ tn Grk “at the hands of lawless men.” At this point the term ἄνομος (anomo") refers to non-Jews who live outside the Jewish (Mosaic) law, rather than people who broke any or all laws including secular laws. Specifically it is a reference to the Roman soldiers who carried out Jesus’ crucifixion.

[2:24]  ⁶ tn Grk “Whom God raised up.”

[2:24]  ⁷ tn Or “having freed.”

[2:24]  ⁸ sn The term translated pains is frequently used to describe pains associated with giving birth (see Rev 12:2). So there is irony here in the mixed metaphor.

[2:24]  ⁹ tn Or “for him to be held by it” (in either case, “it” refers to death’s power).