They is an emphatic form in Greek (as is “I myself” in the following verse), and has been rendered “they themselves” by most translators. The Good News Translation has brought out this emphasis by they know very well. Arrested and beat, as they appear in most translations, suggest that these were actions which Paul himself actually did; however, it is possible to understand these verbs in the sense of things which Paul had ordered done to the people.

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 .