{When there arose a great dissension} (poll(8873) t(8873)
ginomen(8873) stase(9373)). Present middle participle (genitive
absolute). Literally, "dissension becoming much." {Lest Paul
should be torn in pieces by them} (m(8820)diaspasth(8869) ho Paulos).
First aorist passive subjunctive of diaspa(935c), to draw in two, to
tear in pieces, old verb, in the N.T. only here and  Mr 5:4  of
tearing chains in two. The subjunctive with m(885c) is the common
construction after a verb of fearing (Robertson, _Grammar_, p.
995). {The soldiers} (	o strateuma). The army, the band of
soldiers and so in verse  27 . {To go down} (kataban). Second
aorist active participle of katabain(935c), having gone down. {Take
him by force} (harpasai). To seize. The soldiers were to seize
and save Paul from the midst of (ek mesou) the rabbis or
preachers (in their rage to get at each other). Paul was more of
a puzzle to Lysias now than ever.