What should be done, then? (Jerusalem Bible “What is to be done?”) is a question raised by the people who are bringing this accusation to Paul’s attention. What they mean is what should Paul do, or what should they do, in order to show that the suspicions about Paul are unfounded? Though this question would seem to be directed to Paul to ask him for his opinion, in reality it is only rhetorical; that is to say, the question is asked in order to be immediately answered by the same persons who asked it. In order to deal effectively with such a question as what should be done, then?, it may be immediately followed by “let us tell you what we think you should do.” This would then be the first sentence of verse 23.

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 .