The officer is the same word used in verse 24, the officer in charge of the temple guards.

Many languages are quite specific in the use of terms such as brought … back. In this context a rendering may be “caused them to return with them” or “commanded them to return with them.” The text clearly states that no physical force was used.

In order to indicate clearly that they did not use force, one may say in some languages “they did not grab them” or “they did not tie them up.” In other languages a common expression is “they did not beat them.”

It is important that in the final clause the goal of the stoning is the officer and the soldiers, not the apostles.

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 .