What does Acts 22:29 mean?

The tribune knows the Jews want Paul dead, but he doesn't know why. Asking revealed nothing but confusion (Acts 21:33–34). Letting Paul speak merely riled up the crowd again (Acts 22:22). And, he has recently learned, flogging is out of the question because Paul is a Roman citizen. Roman citizens could be beaten, tortured, scourged, or even bound without being convicted in a public trial. The tribune has already chained and tied Paul up (Acts 21:33; 22:25); fortunately, Paul revealed his citizenship before the centurion could flog him.

Still, the tribune can't close the case—or, perhaps more importantly, appease the mob—unless he knows what's going on. He decides to send Paul to the Sanhedrin to let them question the prisoner (Acts 22:30). This doesn't end well, either. First, Paul insults the chief priest by calling him a "whitewashed wall" (Acts 23:3–5). Then, he sets the council members against each other by insisting his message is simply one of the resurrection of the dead—a belief the Pharisees hold but the Sadducees reject (Acts 23:6–10).

The tribune has no choice but to take Paul back to the barracks, but to no avail. The next day, Paul's nephew overhears an assassination plot against Paul (Acts 23:12–22). The tribune gives up and sends Paul to the governor in Caesarea Maritima—then conveniently neglects to attend the trial (Acts 23:23–33; 24:22). The governor knows the charges against Paul are false but keeps him under house arrest to placate the Jewish leaders (Acts 24:27).