Act 16:20-21 | NETfull | STEP | When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion. They are Jews

Acts 16:20-21

20 When ^{▼▼ Grk “And when.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.} they had brought them ^{▼▼ Grk “having brought them.” The participle ἐπιλαβόμενοι (epilabomenoi) has been taken temporally. It is also possible in English to translate this participle as a finite verb: “they brought them before the magistrates and said.”} before the magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion. ^{▼▼ BDAG 309 s.v. ἐκταράσσω has “agitate, cause trouble to, throw into confusion” for the meaning of this verb.} They are ^{▼▼ Grk “being Jews, and they are proclaiming.” The participle ὑπάρχοντες (huparchontes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.} Jews 21 and are advocating ^{▼▼ Grk “proclaiming,” but in relation to customs, “advocating” is a closer approximation to the meaning.} customs that are not lawful for us to accept ^{▼▼ Or “acknowledge.”} or practice, ^{▼▼ Customs that are not lawful for us to accept or practice. Ironically, the charges are similar to those made against Jesus in Luke 23:2, where Jews argued he was “twisting” their customs. The charge has three elements: (1) a racial element (Jewish); (2) a social element (unlawful); and (3) a traditional element (not their customs).} since we are ^{▼▼ Grk “we being Romans.” The participle οὖσιν (ousin) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.} Romans.”