21:35a

When Paul reached the steps: This clause in Greek is literally “and when he was on/at the steps.” The commander and the soldiers were with Paul. In some languages it is more natural to refer to all of them. For example:

When they were on the steps
-or-
When Paul ⌊and the soldiers⌋ were on the steps

the steps: These steps led up to the Roman fortress and barracks. In some languages, where these steps went to must be indicated. For example:

the steps ⌊to the barracks/fortress⌋

21:35b–c

he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob: This clause in Greek is literally “he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd.” The violent crowd caused the soldiers to carry Paul. They carried him to protect him. Otherwise the crowd might have grabbed him again and began beating him again. Other ways to translate this clause are:

the soldiers had to carry him because the mob was so wild (Good News Translation)
-or-
the crowd became so violent that he had to be carried by the soldiers (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the mob grew so violent the soldiers had to lift him to their shoulders to protect him (New Living Translation (2004))

21:35b

the violence of the mob: The word violence indicates that the crowd was forcefully trying to reach in and grab Paul or hurt him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the crowd became so wild (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the people were trying to kill him

the mob: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mob is literally “crowd.” But the crowd had become violent, so the English word mob is more natural here.

21:35c

It is not clear if the soldiers carried Paul in their arms or on their shoulders. Translate in the way that sounds most natural in your language.

he had to be carried by the soldiers: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the soldiers had to carry him

carried: The Greek verb indicates that the soldiers carried Paul for some time. They carried him to the top step and perhaps a little way inside the walls of the fortress. For example:

⌊began⌋ to carry

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