Acts 4:20

4:20 for it is impossible ¹  for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”

Acts 8:23

8:23 For I see that you are bitterly envious ²  and in bondage to sin.”

Acts 12:16

12:16 Now Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the door ³  and saw him, they were greatly astonished. ⁴ 

Acts 22:15

22:15 because you will be his witness ⁵  to all people ⁶  of what you have seen and heard.

[4:20]  ¹ tn Grk “for we are not able not to speak about what we have seen and heard,” but the double negative, which cancels out in English, is emphatic in Greek. The force is captured somewhat by the English translation “it is impossible for us not to speak…” although this is slightly awkward.

[8:23]  ² tn Grk “in the gall of bitterness,” an idiom meaning to be particularly envious or resentful of someone. In this case Simon was jealous of the apostles’ power to bestow the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, and wanted that power for himself. The literal phrase does not convey this to the modern reader, and in fact some modern translations have simply rendered the phrase as involving bitterness, which misses the point of the envy on Simon’s part. See L&N 88.166. The OT images come from Deut 29:17-18 and Isa 58:6.

[12:16]  ³ tn The words “the door” are not in the Greek text, but are implied (see Acts 12:13).

[12:16]  ⁴ sn That they were greatly astonished is a common response in Luke-Acts to God’s work (Luke 8:56; Acts 2:7, 12; 8:13; 9:21; 10:45).

[22:15]  ⁴ tn Or “a witness to him.”

[22:15]  ⁵ tn Grk “all men,” but this is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo").