21:22a
What then should we do?: The Greek words are literally “What, therefore/then, is/happens?” This question asks what should be done in response to the problem presented in 21:20–21. Other ways to translate this clause are:
What should be done, then? (Good News Translation)
-or-
So, what should happen next?
This question is a rhetorical question. In 21:23a–24d, the elders tell Paul what they thought that he should do. But the question does allow that Paul could do something else. You probably should translate this as a question.
But in some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a statement instead of a question. For example:
Something needs to be done.
-or-
We should do something.
21:22b
They will certainly hear that you have come: There is a textual issue here:
(1) Some Greek manuscripts have: they will certainly hear that you have come. For example:
They are sure to hear that you have arrived. (Good News Translation)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, English Standard Version, New Century Version)
(2) Other Greek manuscripts have: A crowd certainly must gather, for they will hear that you have come. For example:
A crowd is sure to gather, for they will hear that you have come. (New Jerusalem Bible)
(New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version)
It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS Handbook Greek NT recommends it.
They: This word probably refers to the Jewish believers in Judea (21:20) here.
General Comment on 21:22a–b
The result (“What is to be done?”) is before the reason (“They are sure to hear that you have arrived”). In some languages the result should be last. For example:
They are sure to hear that you have arrived. What should be done, then? (Good News Translation)
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