Question:
Why in The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 12, verse 4 is the word Passover translated Easter?
Answer:
Actually, your question brings up a very good and important point about translations. First, to your specific question. The New American Bible (both the old one and the one with the Revised New Testament), The New Revised Standard Verson, and The Jerusalem Bible all read Passover at the place you have cited. It does depend on translations, though "Passover" seems the most fitting word to use since the text is referring specifically to the Jewish festival of Passover (a several days long event, climaxing in the Passover day itself, the 14th day of the month of Nissan, on which the lambs were slain in the Temple) and not to the Christian celebration of Easter, the annual commemoration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
Next, two points should be made here. First, some translations are superior to others in terms of scholarly fidelity to the most ancient manuscripts. The New American Bible and The New Revised Standard Version both make this a principle goal. Other translations attempt to use more popular language to make the text easier to read and do not remain as faithful to the exact words of the manuscripts, such a The Living Bible. So, one should choose a translation carefully.
Second, one should keep in mind that it is only the original language texts of The Bible which are inspired and not translations into modern languages. Translating is a human art subject to personal interpretation and, even at times, guess work. We trust that the translators are conscientious men and women dedicated to rendering the most accurate yet readable translation of the ancient manuscripts of the inspired text. Yet, their work itself is not inspired or Divinely protected from error.
Very Rev. Kevin Michael Quirk, JCD
Judicial Vicar