In the clause the argument became so violent, the term argument translates the same word that was rendered quarrel in verse 7. Moffatt translates the clause, “the quarrel then became so violent.” This reference to the argument serves as a link between the preceding paragraph and the decision of the commander to return Paul to the fort.

As in a number of instances, a verb such as ordered may require direct discourse—for example, “he ordered his soldiers, Go down into the group and get Paul away from them.”

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 .