It is difficult to determine exactly the subjects of the verbs in this and the following verse. The subject of they stirred up may be either the men who argued with Stephen (v. 9) or the men who testified against him (v. 11); while the subject of they came to Stephen, seized him, and took him before the Council may be either of the above or else the people, the elders, and the teachers of the Law. The same three possibilities exist for the subject of they brought in some men to tell lies about him (v. 13). One logical solution to these complex problems is to suggest that the subjects of they bribed some men and of they stirred up the people are the same: that is, the men who argued with Stephen (v. 11); and that the subjects of the next series of verbs are the people, the elders, and the teachers of the Law. If this conclusion is accepted, then it was the men who disputed with Stephen who stirred up the people, the elders, and the teachers of the Law; and it was these, in turn, who seized him, and took him before the Council.

Stirred up may be rendered as “caused to be angry,” “caused to become excited,” or “caused to be fearful.” All of these emotions may occur in expressions denoting the process of stirring up a group of people.

In this context took him implies “leading by force.”

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 .