That the Scriptures say translates a technical formula (literally “the things which had been written”) used by the early Christians of a passage from the Old Testament which was taken to refer to Jesus. Cross translates the same word as appeared in 5.30.

In a number of languages one must make a distinction between the two pronouns they in this verse. The first they obviously refers to the Jewish people and their leaders who condemned Jesus to death. The second they would seem to refer to the friends of Jesus, specifically Joseph and Nicodemus, who took him down from the cross and placed him in a grave. In some instances one must make this clear by translating the second they as “his followers.” There are some scholars, however, who believe this latter they must refer to the Sanhedrin, which arranged the removal from the cross through Joseph and Nicodemus.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .