They got with him to the steps may be rendered as “they led him as far as the steps” or “they led him only as far as the steps.” It may be necessary to stipulate “only” in order to indicate clearly the shift to the act of carrying Paul because of the violence of the mob.

“So it was” (King James Version) translates a verb which is similar in usage to Luke’s frequently used formula “and it came to pass.” This verb is to be taken along with the verb “to be carried,” and together they are to be translated either “he was actually carried” (Revised Standard Version, Phillips) or had to carry him (Good News Translation, New English Bible, Jerusalem Bible).

The final expression the mob was so wild is rendered is some languages as “the mob was so angry.”

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 .