23:22a–b

So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”: The word dismissed indicates that the commander told Paul’s nephew to leave. But before the young man left, the commander also told him not to tell anyone about meeting him.

In some languages translating literally would indicate or imply that Paul’s nephew left before the warning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

So the commander dismissed the young man and ⌊before he left, he⌋ cautioned him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”
-or-
So the commander said to the young man, “Go. But do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

23:22a

So: The Greek conjunction which the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces this verse. It introduces a logical conclusion for what Paul’s nephew told the commander. Some English versions allow the context to indicate the connection and do not translate the conjunction. Other ways to translate this word are:

Therefore (NASB77)
-or-
Then (NET Bible)

the commander dismissed the young man: The commander, as someone in authority, either:

(1) commanded Paul’s nephew to leave,

(2) permitted Paul’s nephew to leave. He would expect Paul’s nephew to leave at that time.

Translate in a way that is most natural in your language.

In some languages this clause must be direct speech. For example:

The commander told the young man, “Go.”
-or-
The commander told the young man, “You may leave.”

the young man: See how you translated this phrase in 23:19.

23:22b

instructed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as instructed generally has the meaning “to command.” The commander commanded Paul’s nephew not to tell others of their meeting. For example:

ordered (God’s Word)
-or-
said

Do not tell anyone: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as tell means “to speak out.” The commander did not want Paul’s nephew to tell others of this meeting. For example:

Do not let anyone know
-or-
Do not reveal to anyone

you have reported this to me: The word this is literally “these (things).” It refers to what Paul’s nephew told the commander in 23:20–21.

reported: Here the word reported refers to speaking to an official. Paul’s nephew spoke to the commander in 23:20–21.

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